What to Know About Food Rules in Vietnam Package Tours

Can You Bring Food into Vietnam?

So, Can I Bring Food into Vietnam? Yes, but only under specific rules.

Vietnam Customs permits travelers to bring food into Vietnam for their use if the goods are non-toxic, well-packed, and are within the duty-free levels. Typically accepted food items include packaged snacks, instant noodles, and dry goods. But fresh fruit, raw meat, home-cooked food, and dairy are often prohibited or need to be cleared of quarantine.

There’s a key difference:

• Personal food items: small amounts for yourself or souvenirs.
• Commercial imports: big shipments that require permits and safety documentation.

One myth that circulates is that a sealed means legal, but that’s not true. And even sealed packages are subject to being seized if they fall into restricted categories.

Don’t forget to check before entering Vietnam, and keep in mind: you need to have the correct entry papers. Haven’t read it already? Begin here: getting a visa for Vietnam. For every traveler out there, getting a visa for Vietnam is the very first step before even thinking about what to pack in the bag.

 What Food Items Are Allowed?

In response to Can I Bring Food into Vietnam?, Yes, certain strategies will get you into the country with food in tow that are clear and easily followable by any potential miscreant being asked to declare their groceries at the border.

Permitted Food Categories

The following foodstuffs can be brought into Vietnam for personal consumption:

• Pre-packaged snacks (biscuit, cracker, chips, etc.)
• Candy and chocolate
• Dry goods. (I.e.,. Noodles or beans, tea or coffee.)
• Powdered milk (small quantities)
• Sealed spices and seasoning mixes

These are low-risk items, nevertheless, and usually clear customs.

Pre-packaged Snacks Allowed into Vietnam (Source: cqmart)

Customs Requirements

To bring food items into Vietnam, to legally carry the food items, all items must:

• Be in original, unopened packaging
• Include a visible expiry date
• Be non-perishable (no refrigeration required)
• Contain legible labelling in an acceptable language.

Any fresh fruit, meat, dairy, or home-cooked food is either limited or banned if you don’t have the right quarantine documents.

Food Items Need Clear Expiry Date (Source: tytphuong9qtb)

Seasonal Allowances

On Vietnamese holidays, like Tet, travelers may take into Vietnam gift boxes of dried fruit, tea, or candies. These are okay if packaged and labelled the same. Even during holidays, customs law doesn’t exempt you.

Make it easy and check, declare if you aren’t sure. And don’t overlook that you need to have a visa for Vietnam (it has to be arranged in advance). When it comes to regulations around travel, securing a visa for Vietnam and the customs rules are a matched pair.

Dried Fruit Gift Boxes Allowed Vietnam (Source: thucphamhuuduyen)

What Food Items Are Prohibited or Restricted?

Strictly Banned Foods

The following items are strictly prohibited:

• Raw meat (pork, beef, chicken, fish, fresh or frozen)
• Milk products (milk, cheese, butter, and yogurt)
• Fresh fruit and vegetables, especially from areas where there are agroepidemiological risks
• Homemade or unpackaged food

The items are of high biological risk and are prohibited from moving into Vietnam for reasons related to diseases, pests, or contamination.

Restricted or High-Risk Food Items

There are some things you can brought into Vietnam, but only with a permit or under tight regulation.

• Herbal supplements and traditional medicine
• Ginseng and related extracts
• Functional or medicinal health-functional foods

These products might need health authorities’ certification or lead to an inspection at the border. 

Ginseng Requires License to Enter Vietnam (Source: vnexpress)

Recent Customs Bans (Updated 2025)

Vietnam has, in recent years, strengthened restrictions on things related to health and conservation:

• Non-tobacco types of products (such as flavored cartridges and tobacco gels) are prohibited from 2025
• Yes, products and supplements made from endangered species, like rhinoceros horn, bear bile, or products made from ivory, are strictly banned under CITES rules.
• Over-packaged or mislabeled products can be retained for examination as well.

Duty-Free Limits for Food and Beverages

Can I Bring Food into Vietnam? It depends on how much and what type of food you’re bringing.

Under Nghi dinh 134/2016/ND-CP, travellers going to Vietnam are allowed to enjoy some duty-free quotas. That would also include small amounts of alcohol, tobacco, and food for personal use into Vietnam, provided you’re compliant with local limits.

Current Duty-Free Allowances:

• Alcohol:
  • Up to 1.5 liters (if over 20% ABV)
  • Up to 2.0 liters (if under 20% ABV)
  • Up to 3.0 liters of beer
• Tobacco:
  • 200 cigarettes
  • 250 grams of tobacco
  • 20 cigars
• Food and other items:
  • Total customs value less than 10 million VND (approximately 400 USD) = tax-free, with the condition that such goods are intended for personal use, and not prohibited goods (e.g., fresh fruit, meat, or dairy).

If you have more than this amount of food or your food falls within a restricted category, you’ll have to declare and pay taxes on it. Failure to comply can result in fines or confiscation.

Limited Alcohol Within Duty-Free Quota (Source: bonappetit)

Key Tip:

Importing shipments of snacks, sweets, and dry goods under 10 million VND equivalent? You’re in luck as long as the little vials are sealed, labeled, and allowed under customs law.

Because, Can I Bring Food into Vietnam isn’t just a question of “what” you bring, but how much. And, of course, none of the above applies unless you have also managed to scramble in obtaining a Vietnam visa. That’s the portal to everything, from arriving at the airport to clearing customs. If you haven’t had a chance to do it yet, have a look at our guide on getting a visa for Vietnam right now.

Declaring Food at Vietnam Customs

Whether or not you Can I Bring Food into Vietnam, it will be confiscated a customs unless you follow their guidelines. Taking this step is essential to avoid penalties, delays, or worse.

When Must You Declare Food Items?

You must declare if:

• Your food is being introduced into Vietnam w which has a total customs value of over 10 million VND
• You travel with restricted foods (fresh fruits, herbal products, supplements) (279 c)
• Essential oils or products are not factory-sealed, or the packaging does not show a legible product/labelling, or expiry date.
• You arrive with commercial amounts, maybe.

Having even small amounts means they must declare if there’s any question.

How to Fill Out the Customs Declaration

You’ll get a customs declaration form, either a paper version or a digital one, when you enter Vietnam. Here’s what to do:

• Mark “Yes” under “Goods to Declare”
• List your food items clearly and truthfully
• Specify quantities and estimated value
• Submit this form at the Red Lane at customs examination.

The same goes for travelers who use e-Gates or digital kiosks; failure to declare can leave an electronic trail.

What If You Don’t Declare?

Failure to declare – particularly high-risk or high-value foods: Causes:

• Fines
• Confiscation of goods
• Guilty of a blacklist in Vietnam next time.

So if you’re still wondering, Can I Bring Food into Vietnam? The real question is: Are you declaring it correctly? That makes all the difference.

Final Tips for Travelers

Pack Smart: Dos and Don’ts

DO:

• Select shelf-stable food items that are factory-sealed and adequately labeled
• Adding your total cost to less than 10 million VND for a VND-free pass
• Leave it there for dry goods, packaged snacks, candy, coffee, or tea

DON’T:

• Pack fresh fruit, raw meat, or dairy – these are severely limited.
• Do not cut labels or combine/show various types of food in one container
• A more general, “let’s assume sealed = allowable" without checking the rules

Know the Green – Yellow – Red Channel System

While in Vietnam, make sure to pick the right customs lane:

• Green Channel: You have nothing to declare and are within the personal limits.
• Yellow Channel: Your possessions are iffy, you could claim, but smart not to
• Red Channel: You have goods over limits or restricted food when entering Vietnam, declare it.

Always be honest. Better do a short stop in the Red Channel, than being fined, delayed, or blacklisted along the way.

Quick Traveler’s Checklist

Before flying, ask yourself:

• Is my food easily identifiable and packaged in a sensible way?
• Is the amount less than 10 million VND?
• Do I have fresh fruit, supplements, or herbal products that are off limits?
• Am I done getting a visa in Vietnam?
• Am I prepped enough to declare if necessary?

Conclusion

Finally, Can I Bring Food into Vietnam? Yes, with care. Know what’s permissible, declare when necessary, and keep current on official customs rules. How to bring food into Vietnam. Bringing food into Vietnam is not hard, if you do it correctly, and even easier after you worry less getting a visa for Vietnam. Pack them carefully, travel them proudly, and enjoy every bite of the journey!

FAQ 

What is not allowed to bring into Vietnam?

Vietnam expressly prohibits products such as fresh meat, fresh dairy, fresh fruit originating in an infected area, drugs, weapons and arms, and electronic cigarettes (since 2025). Products of endangered animals and used electronics are also forbidden. Make it a routine to consult with the newest Vietnam Customs list before traveling.

Can I bring food in baggage?

Yes, you can bring food on an airplane in your checked baggage, as long as it meets the Transportation Security Administration’s standards, but it would be non-perishable, in its original packaging, and within any legal quantity limits. No fresh fruit, nothing in liquid form which exceeds 100 mls, and things that need to be kept in the fridge. Determine if you need to declare the food at customs when you arrive.

Can I bring food onto Vietjet?

Yes, Vietjet Air permits dry snacks and packed food in luggage. But smelly, sticky, or perishable food may be off-limits. Always package food securely and abide by airline regulations and fellow passengers.

Can I bring food in hand luggage?

Absolutely. You are allowed to carry dry, solid, and factory-sealed food in your carry-on bag. Liquids, gels, or food pastes are required to adhere to the 100ml liquid restriction. Do not have fresh fruits or meat-related products in your hand luggage if you plan to take them into Vietnam (they might need a declaration, or they might be prohibited).