Market & legal data in the tobacco alternatives sector in Vietnam

19th March 2025: Vietnam: The Department of Domestic Market Management and Development has instructed market management sub-departments to strengthen inspections and controls to prevent smuggling of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products, which are currently banned in Vietnam. The sub-departments must direct department forces to strengthen local management and inspections, using grassroots networks and regular inspections, and coordinating with the local police. They should also strengthen propaganda, mobilise organisations and individuals to not trade or store these products, and coordinate with media to inform about violations and risks to health. Heads of market management departments will be held responsible for any violations in their area, and officials who cover up or assist perpetrators will face strict enforcement.
11th March 2025: Vietnam: The National Assembly is discussing the Draft Law on Special Consumption Tax and has decided to delete Article 12. Previously, the article stipulated that if new tobacco products were to be imported or produced, they would also be subjected to the increased special consumption tax. However, members of the parliament pointed out that this conflicts with National Assembly Resolution 173/2024/QH15, which bans electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products. The aim of the resolution was to limit harmful and addictive substances; therefore, allowing for the possibility of new tobacco products is contradictory.
28th February 2025: Vietnam: The Ministry of Health wants to increase measures to enforce the ban on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs) and has proposed a draft decree concerning e-cigs and HTPs, which would amend decree 117/2020/ND-CP health sector violations. The draft includes a broad scope for the definition of e-cigs and HTPs, which includes both nicotine-containing and nicotine-free products. Furthermore, anyone found vaping would be fined between VND3,000,000 ($117) and VND5,000,000 ($195). For those permitting others to vape or use HTPs on their property, whether for payment or not, a fine of VND5,000,000 ($195) to VND10,000,000 ($391) is proposed. The draft has been submitted for approval to other relevant authorities.
7th January 2025: Vietnam: As of 1st January, the sale and import of “electronic cigarettes”, including related equipment and accessories, are prohibited, according to resolution 17/TCHQ-GSQL. In Vietnam, the term “electronic cigarettes” encompasses vaping and heated tobacco products (HTPs). The prohibition extends to the use and possession of these products. Vietnam joins a small list of countries, such as Thailand, that ban the sale and personal usage of such products.
16th December 2024: Vietnam: The National Assembly has issued resolution 173/2024/QH15 in which it formally asks the government to ban the production, trading, import, storage, transport and use of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco from 2025. It asks the government to set the ban's implementation, strengthen enforcement and raise awareness.
2nd December 2024: Vietnam: The National Assembly unanimously agreed to ban the production, trading, import, storage, transportation, and use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco from 2025. It has requested that the government implement the ban and raise awareness about the harmful effects of products, especially among young people.
12th November 2024: Vietnam: Following yesterday’s question-and-answer session between ministries and the National Assembly, the Ministry of Health proposed a resolution to the National Assembly to ban e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs) – adding that most ministries and branches supported the proposal. The health minister also presented a survey taken in 34 provinces and cities that showed the rate of e-cigarette use among adults increased from 0.2% in 2015 to 3.6% in 2020.
11th November 2024: Vietnam: Today, during a question-and-answer session between ministries and the National Assembly, the Ministry of Industry and Trade said it had agreed with the Ministry of Health’s proposal to ban heated tobacco and e-cigarettes, press reports. It added that it had not proposed any pilot projects involving these products and that, in fact, it had always refused to issue business licence and registration notices to e-commerce websites trading with these products in the past. The ministry has proposed that the National Assembly and the government swiftly issue a policy to ban the products.
4th November 2024: Vietnam: On 1st November, the government issued decree 144/2024/ND-CP amending import duties. Tobacco substitutes, products for “smoking without burning” containing nicotine, e-liquids for e-cigarettes and e-cigarette devices will be subject to a 50% import tax. The decree states that the import taxes will be applied in cases where these items are allowed to be imported into the country. It will enter into force on 16th December 2024.
15th October 2024: Vietnam: The Ministry of Health, in coordination with relevant agencies, has launched a communication campaign through mass media agencies to clarify misconceptions about e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs). The campaign will focus on the toxicity of the products and nicotine addiction. The campaign will also include social networking platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
7th October 2024: Vietnam: During a workshop held on 3rd October, the Ministry of Health proposed that the government should issue a resolution supporting a ban on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco, press reports. Dinh Thi Thu Thuy, the deputy director of the Legal Department of the Ministry of Health, said: “The Ministry of Health is participating in developing a number of policies, including proposing amendments to the Law on Special Consumption Tax. In the face of the increasing emergence of new types of cigarettes that affect people's health, especially young people, the Ministry of Health has proposed that the Government issue a Resolution on banning the production, trading, and import of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products.”
30th September 2024: Vietnam: Following the introduction of a draft law on special consumption tax to increase taxes on tobacco products with two options of taxes, the Ministry of Health has agreed to option 2, press reports. This option starts in 2026 with a tax of VND50,000 ($2) per cigarette, 100 g, or 100 ml, which will increase annually by VND10,000 ($0.40) until reaching a maximum of VND100,000 ($4). The tax might also apply to heated tobacco and e-cigarettes if regulated. The tax would cover “other forms, other preparations from tobacco plants for smoking, inhaling, chewing, sniffing or sucking (100 g or 100 ml)”.

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