Marijuana Laws
As recorded December 15, 2025 · not verified as current law. Vietnam law
Cannabis laws in Nha Trang follow Vietnam’s national law. This city follows the jurisdiction’s cannabis law framework; separate city laws are typically limited.
Cannabis is illegal for recreational and medical use. Possession and distribution are prohibited. Strict enforcement and penalties apply.
Quick facts
- Recreational: Illegal
- Medical: Illegal
- Possession: Illegal
- Buying/Selling: Illegal
- Tourists: No exceptions
Practical guidance
Avoid cross-border transport of cannabis products. Do not assume informal tolerance equals legality.
Law Enforcement
I saw practically no enforcement. In my first week, a motorbike driver offered me weed about 20 feet from an officer. “Uh, no.” It was so common I assumed police knew, but I didn’t want to find out what would happen. People talked about bribes. I wouldn’t count on one.
Where to Buy Marijuana
Leave a bar or club at night and “You want motorbike ride?” was often followed by “You smoke marijuana?” Offers came at a fantastically alarming rate. People expected you to bargain. If you hadn’t been offered any within an hour, other tourists might know where to ask.
The catch was paying first. Some drivers didn’t carry it, so you didn’t know the quality or whether they’d come back.
Marijuana Prices
100,000 dong, about US$6 then, for a half-ounce bag. Another quote was US$5 for three or four small joints.
Types of Marijuana
“Brands? Uh. The cannabis was leafy, seedy, brown garbage. In my first week, I rolled a good-sized joint and only got halfway through before gladly throwing it away. Cough, cough.
“The marijuana here made Topeka, Kansas, schwag look like the bomb. It was so terrible that people mixed it with tobacco just to get the paper to burn properly. Someone told me the skunk would return after the rainy season. I hoped so—I was there for six months teaching English!”
I’d heard skunk would come back after the rains. I hoped so. I was teaching English for six months and planned to send an update afterwards.
More Information
Watch where you smoke. Bars could seem relaxed, but I preferred the beach at night or my room.