Adderall in Vietnam: Banned Status and Alternatives

Quick reference

Drug class: CNS stimulant
Controlled substance: Amphetamine-type stimulants are controlled narcotic substances under Vietnam's Law on Drug Prevention and Control. The narcotics lists (Decree 57/2022/ND-CP, replaced from January 2026 by Decree 28/2026/ND-CP) place amphetamine and dexamphetamine on the restricted schedule, List II, and no amphetamine-based medicine is registered for use in Vietnam, so there is no legal import route. Import is not permitted for any quantity.
Prescription required: Not applicable. Adderall is not registered in Vietnam and cannot be prescribed or dispensed locally.
Available locally: No. Adderall and Adderall XR are not available in Vietnamese pharmacies or hospitals. Sibling brands Mydayis (also amphetamine-based) are equally unavailable. Methylphenidate-based alternatives (Concerta, Ritalin) are registered in Vietnam under strict controls.
Storage: Standard room temperature storage (15–30 °C) applies, though bringing Adderall into Vietnam is not legally permitted.
Max supply to carry: Zero. Amphetamine-based medications cannot be imported into Vietnam under any personal-use exemption.
Key document: No import pathway exists for Adderall or Adderall XR. Carrying either into Vietnam exposes you to Vietnamese drug law penalties regardless of your prescription documentation.
Emergency alternative: If you require ADHD treatment in Vietnam, a psychiatrist at a Level I or Level II hospital in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City can assess whether a registered medication is appropriate; that decision must be made with a local clinician, not pre-planned as a self-directed swap.

Where to find Adderall in Vietnam

Long Chau Pharmacy chain (nationwide)
Adderall is not registered in Vietnam. Long Chau does not stock amphetamine-based medications. Listed here only to note that no chain carries Adderall.
Not available
Unknown
Pharmacity (nationwide)
Pharmacity does not stock Adderall or any amphetamine-based CNS stimulant. No price can be cited.
Not available
Unknown
Hospital-affiliated pharmacies (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City)
These pharmacies stock methylphenidate-based medications (Concerta, Ritalin) for registered patients, but not Adderall or Adderall XR.
Not available
Unknown

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Adderall in Vietnam: what the ban means for you

Adderall and Adderall XR (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) are not approved for medical use in Vietnam and cannot be legally imported under any personal-use exemption. Vietnam's narcotics lists place amphetamine on the restricted schedule (List II), whose use is limited to research, forensic work and tightly controlled health-sector purposes, and no amphetamine-based medicine is registered for prescribing in Vietnam. Sibling brands Adderall XR and Mydayis share the same active ingredient and carry the same restriction. For the fuller picture on ADHD medication rules in Vietnam, including methylphenidate options and psychiatrist access, see our ADHD travel guide for Vietnam.^[1]

Medical disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your prescribing doctor before travelling with medication, particularly regarding supply quantities, storage requirements, and import documentation.

Before you travel

Documentation and preparation before you travel

Because Adderall cannot be imported into Vietnam, documentation does not create a lawful pathway. Amphetamine-based medications including mixed amphetamine salts are excluded from the personal-use import exemption that covers psychotropic medications with a 10-day cap. The critical pre-travel task is planning how your ADHD will be managed during your trip without Adderall.^[2]

Naming Adderall on your doctor's letter

A doctor's letter naming Adderall and the INN amphetamine/dextroamphetamine does not grant import permission in Vietnam. Bring it anyway: it confirms your diagnosis for any clinician you see in-country and supports your travel insurance claim if care is needed.

Questions to ask your prescriber before you travel

Raise these with your doctor at least four weeks before departure.

Can you confirm in writing that Adderall and Adderall XR cannot be legally imported into Vietnam, and document this for my travel insurance records?
Given that amphetamine-based medications are prohibited in Vietnam, what non-stimulant or methylphenidate-based options might bridge my treatment for the duration of the trip, and what would that transition involve?
If my trip extends beyond the planned duration, what is the safest way to manage ADHD without Adderall and without access to a refill?
Can you provide a letter in both English and Vietnamese stating my diagnosis, current treatment, and the reason Adderall is prescribed, so a Vietnamese psychiatrist can make an informed assessment?
How do I reach you or a covering clinician from Vietnam if I need urgent medical guidance during my trip?

How much Adderall to bring

The answer here is not a supply buffer recommendation. Amphetamine-type stimulants are strictly controlled in Vietnam with no registered medical use, and import is not permitted for any quantity. Attempting to carry Adderall across the Vietnamese border exposes you to serious legal risk under Vietnam's Law on Drug Prevention and Control. The correct approach is to discuss a management plan for your trip with your prescriber before you leave.^[3]

At the airport and border

Customs and border entry with Adderall

Vietnamese customs inspect controlled medication documentation at border gates, but amphetamine-based substances such as Adderall are controlled narcotic substances under Vietnamese law with no registered medical products, and are not eligible for personal medical use in Vietnam. Carrying Adderall tablets or Adderall XR capsules into Vietnam risks confiscation and criminal proceedings under Vietnamese drug law, regardless of the prescription or doctor's letter you carry. Do not attempt to bring Adderall or Adderall XR through any Vietnamese border gate.^[4]

Vietnam health declaration (Decree 165/2026)

Decree 165/2026/ND-CP, effective July 1, 2026, establishes a health declaration framework at Vietnamese border gates. As of July 2026 the Ministry of Health has not activated routine mandatory declarations for all travellers, but the framework allows activation in response to disease events. Check the Vietnam Ministry of Health website before you travel for the current status. Health declaration forms are available in Vietnamese and English.

While in country

Adderall availability in Vietnam

Adderall vs sibling brands in Vietnam

Brand	Indication	Formulation	Availability in Vietnam
Adderall	ADHD	Immediate-release tablet (mixed amphetamine salts)	Not available. Amphetamine-based medications are prohibited under Vietnamese drug law.
Adderall XR	ADHD	Extended-release capsule (mixed amphetamine salts)	Not available. Same active ingredient as Adderall; equally prohibited.
Mydayis	ADHD (adults)	Extended-release capsule (triple-bead mixed amphetamine salts)	Not available. Amphetamine-based formulation; prohibited in Vietnam.
Concerta	ADHD	Extended-release tablet (methylphenidate)	Available at select hospitals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City under strict controls; monthly prescription required.
Ritalin	ADHD	Immediate-release tablet (methylphenidate)	Limited availability in Vietnamese pharmacies; check with a private clinic before relying on local supply.

Adderall, Adderall XR, and Mydayis are absent from Vietnamese pharmacies and hospital formularies because amphetamine-type stimulants are not approved for medical use in Vietnam. This distinguishes Adderall from Concerta and Ritalin: methylphenidate is classified as a psychotropic substance in Vietnam (not a narcotic) and is registered for medical use, albeit under tight restrictions. A traveller who takes Adderall is in a fundamentally different position from one who takes Concerta, because no local supply pathway exists for amphetamine-based brands.^[5]

Because Adderall is not sold in Vietnam, no local pricing can be cited. The absence of a local market also means travel insurance medical claims for Adderall refill or replacement will find no in-country supply chain to draw on.

Pharmacy phrases in Vietnamese

“Tôi đang tìm Adderall hoặc Adderall XR. Thuốc này có ở đây không?”

I am looking for Adderall or Adderall XR. Do you have this medication?

“Tôi bị ADHD và cần gặp bác sĩ tâm thần. Bệnh viện gần nhất có bác sĩ tâm thần nói tiếng Anh ở đâu?”

I have ADHD and need to see a psychiatrist. Where is the nearest hospital with an English-speaking psychiatrist?

“Thuốc của tôi (Adderall) không được phép ở Việt Nam. Tôi có thể gặp bác sĩ để thảo luận về các phương án điều trị thay thế không?”

My medication (Adderall) is not permitted in Vietnam. Can I see a doctor to discuss alternative treatment options?

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Switching to a different brand or generic in Vietnam

Adderall and its sibling brands (Adderall XR, Mydayis) share the same prohibited active ingredient, so there is no amphetamine-based alternative accessible in Vietnam. Vietnam's psychiatric workforce is concentrated in Level I and Level II hospitals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. A psychiatrist at one of these facilities can assess whether a methylphenidate-based option (Concerta or Ritalin) is clinically appropriate for the duration of your trip. Methylphenidate is a different molecule from amphetamine, and switching from Adderall to a methylphenidate product is a clinical decision that requires a prescriber's involvement, not a straightforward brand swap.^[6]

Emergencies

What to do if you need ADHD support in Vietnam

If you require clinical support for ADHD while in Vietnam, contact a private hospital with an English-speaking psychiatric department: Vinmec International Hospital (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City) and FV Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City) both offer international outpatient services. Vietnam emergency services: ambulance 115, police 113. A psychiatrist at a Level I hospital can assess treatment options using medications registered in Vietnam.

Adderall cannot be replaced or refilled in-country, so the focus of any emergency consult will be on managing your situation with available options, not sourcing Adderall. Your International Patient Summary stored in Nomedic gives any clinician immediate access to your diagnosis, current medications, and dosing history without a language barrier.^[7]

Your medication details, ready to share

Nomedic stores your medication name, INN, dosage, and frequency in your IPS, readable by any clinician worldwide.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Adderall legal in Vietnam?

No, Adderall is not legal in Vietnam. Amphetamine and dexamphetamine are placed on Vietnam's controlled narcotics List II with no registered medical use, meaning there is no legal route to import or carry Adderall into the country under any circumstances, even with a valid foreign prescription.

Is Adderall available in Vietnam?

No. Adderall and Adderall XR are not available in Vietnam. Amphetamine-based medications are classified as controlled narcotic substances under Vietnam's Law on Drug Prevention and Control, no amphetamine-based medicine is registered for medical use, and personal import is not permitted. No pharmacy or hospital in Vietnam stocks Adderall.

What happens if Vietnamese customs find Adderall in my bag?

Amphetamine-based medications found at Vietnamese customs can be confiscated and may lead to criminal proceedings under Vietnam's Law on Drug Prevention and Control. A valid foreign prescription does not create a legal import right for Adderall in Vietnam. The safest course is to not bring Adderall into the country and to discuss a management plan with your prescriber before departure.

What is the difference between Adderall and Concerta in Vietnam?

The key difference is legal status. Adderall contains amphetamine/dextroamphetamine, a class of stimulant with no registered medical use under Vietnam's narcotics controls. Concerta contains methylphenidate, which Vietnam classifies as a psychotropic substance and permits for registered medical use at select hospitals. A traveller who takes Concerta has a legal import pathway (up to 10 days without a licence); a traveller who takes Adderall does not.

Can I switch from Adderall to Ritalin in Vietnam if I cannot bring Adderall?

Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) and amphetamine (Adderall) are different molecules and are not directly interchangeable without medical supervision. Whether a switch is appropriate for you depends on your individual history, dose, and response. Raise this with your prescriber before travel. If you need an assessment in Vietnam, a psychiatrist at a private hospital in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City can advise on locally available options.

Do I need a health declaration to enter Vietnam in 2026?

As of July 2026, Vietnam's Decree 165/2026/ND-CP establishes a health declaration framework at border gates, but the Ministry of Health has clarified that routine mandatory declarations for all travellers are not currently activated. Declarations are triggered only when the Ministry issues guidance in response to a specific infectious disease. Check the Vietnam Ministry of Health website (moh.gov.vn) before you travel for the current status.

Related practical guide

10 Things You Must Do Before Travelling Abroad with ADHD Medication

ADHD stimulants are banned outright in some countries and tightly controlled in many others. Here is the practical checklist every traveller needs before setting off.

Adderall in Vietnam: Banned Status, Legal Risk and Alternatives