Is Methylphenidate legal in Vietnam?
- Legal status
- Controlled psychotropic listed under Decree 28/2026/ND-CP; trafficking offences under the Penal Code (Law 100/2015).
- Consequences if caught
- Trafficking carries imprisonment up to life; the drug death penalty was abolished from 1 July 2025, so no capital exposure.
- If prescribed or medical
- Prescription ADHD/narcolepsy medicine (e.g. Ritalin/Concerta) via controlled channels; carry the original prescription and any required import permit.
- Decree 28/2026/ND-CP
- Penal Code (Law 100/2015)
- drug death penalty abolished 1 July 2025
- loc.gov
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Vietnam’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →