Benzodiazepines in Vietnam: Controls, Brands and Import Rules

Benzodiazepines are psychotropic controlled substances in Vietnam. Personal import is limited to a 10-day supply with a doctor's letter and declaration.

Quick reference

Drug class: Psychotropic controlled substances under Vietnam's Pharmacy Law and Circular 18/2026/TT-BYT (DAV/Ministry of Health)
Controlled substance: Yes, all eight active ingredients in this class are classified as psychotropic drugs under Vietnam's strictly controlled drug list (Circular 18/2026/TT-BYT, effective 16 July 2026). Regulated by the Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV).
Prescription required: Yes, all benzodiazepines require a prescription in Vietnam. Dispensing outside hospital-affiliated pharmacies carries counterfeit risk; use hospital pharmacies in major cities.
Available locally: Diazepam: yes, generic (Seduxen) widely available in hospital pharmacies. Alprazolam: yes, generic and Xanax brand in major cities. Clonazepam: limited, Rivotril reported in some hospital pharmacies. Lorazepam: limited availability under Ativan/Temesta names. Temazepam, midazolam, oxazepam, triazolam: very limited or unavailable in standard community pharmacies, verify ahead with an international hospital.
Storage: Store at room temperature (15–25°C), away from moisture and direct sunlight. Keep in original sealed blister packaging.
Max supply to carry: 10 days for psychotropic drugs (benzodiazepines). Quantities above 10 days require an official export licence from the Ministry of Health of your departure country before arriving in Vietnam.
Key document: Signed doctor's letter on clinic letterhead (English or with certified Vietnamese translation), listing your full name, medication generic (INN) and brand name, dose, frequency, and quantity carried. Declare at customs Red Channel.
Emergency alternative: If your specific benzodiazepine is unavailable, consult a psychiatrist or neurologist at an international hospital in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, only a licensed local doctor can determine a safe substitute.

Benzodiazepine options in Vietnam

Active ingredient	Available locally?	Local brand(s)	Controlled status	Prescription required?	Max import supply
Alprazolam	Yes (major cities)	Xanax, generic alprazolam	Psychotropic, DAV controlled list	Yes, specialist	10 days
Diazepam	Yes, hospital pharmacies	Seduxen, generic diazepam	Psychotropic, DAV controlled list	Yes, specialist	10 days
Clonazepam	Limited	Rivotril (limited stock)	Psychotropic, DAV controlled list	Yes, specialist	10 days
Lorazepam	Limited	Ativan, Temesta (limited stock)	Psychotropic, DAV controlled list	Yes, specialist	10 days
Temazepam	Very limited	Restoril, not confirmed locally	Psychotropic, DAV controlled list	Yes, specialist	10 days
Midazolam	Hospital use only	Dormicum (hospital-only)	Psychotropic, DAV controlled list	Yes, specialist	10 days
Oxazepam	Not confirmed locally	Serax, verify ahead	Psychotropic, DAV controlled list	Yes, specialist	10 days
Triazolam	Not confirmed locally	Halcion, verify ahead	Psychotropic, DAV controlled list	Yes, specialist	10 days

Taking benzodiazepines to Vietnam: what changes

Vietnam classifies every benzodiazepine, including alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium/Seduxen), clonazepam (Rivotril/Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), temazepam, midazolam, oxazepam, and triazolam, as a psychotropic drug under the country's strictly controlled drug list^[1], regulated by the Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV) under the Ministry of Health.

The critical practical constraint is the import quantity limit. Psychotropic drugs are restricted to a 10-day personal supply at customs^[2]. Any quantity above 10 days requires an official export licence from your departure country's Ministry of Health before you arrive.

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 for travelling to Vietnam with benzodiazepines

Because all benzodiazepines are psychotropic controlled substances in Vietnam, the DAV-aligned documentation pathway applies to every member of this class. Carry a signed doctor's letter on official clinic letterhead^[3] listing both the International Nonproprietary Name (INN) and brand name of your medication. Declare your medication at the customs Red Channel on arrival.

If you carry multiple benzodiazepines, list each one separately in your doctor's letter with its own INN, brand, dose, and quantity. Vietnam customs officers may cross-check each item against its documentation.

What your doctor's letter must include

Your full legal name. Each medication listed by INN and brand name. Prescribed dose and frequency. Exact quantity you are carrying. Your diagnosis (one-word condition name only). Doctor's full name, registration number, and signature. Clinic name, address, and letterhead. Date of the letter. If you take more than one benzodiazepine, each must appear as a separate line item.

There is no lighter documentation route for any benzodiazepine in Vietnam. Unlike in some other countries where non-controlled prescription medications only need original packaging, every benzodiazepine is a controlled substance here and requires the full letter. A Vietnamese translation is not legally required for the doctor's letter, but carrying one alongside the English version smooths the process at customs. See our benzodiazepine travel guide for further guidance on building your pre-travel documentation pack.

Questions to ask your prescriber before you travel

Bring this list to your appointment at least two weeks before departure.

My trip is longer than 10 days, can you provide documentation to support an export licence application to cover my full supply, or arrange an earlier refill so I travel with the maximum permitted 10-day quantity?
If my specific benzodiazepine (name and brand) is unavailable in Vietnam, which alternative within or outside this class would you consider clinically appropriate, and can you note that in my letter for a local Vietnamese doctor to review?
Can you write my letter listing both the INN and brand name, your registration number, and the exact quantity in milligrams, so that Vietnamese customs can cross-check it against my packaging?
If my trip extends unexpectedly, what is the safest process for me to obtain a local prescription from a Vietnamese psychiatrist or neurologist without abrupt interruption?
How do I reach you or a covering colleague from Vietnam if local clinicians need to verify my prescription details?

How much benzodiazepine to bring

Vietnamese customs enforces a hard limit of 10 days' supply for psychotropic drugs including all benzodiazepines^[2]. If your trip is longer than 10 days, you must obtain a Ministry of Health export licence from your departure country before travelling, or plan to obtain a local prescription from an international hospital in Vietnam. Bring exactly the permitted quantity, do not carry more hoping customs will not notice, as excess supply is subject to confiscation.

Split your supply

Keep your main 10-day supply in your hand luggage and, if you have a secondary dose prescribed for acute use (such as a rescue dose), store that separately in a labelled pouch also in your carry-on. Never place benzodiazepines in checked luggage, declare them at the Red Channel on arrival with your documentation ready.

Packing and storing benzodiazepines for travel

All benzodiazepines in this class are oral solid-dose forms (tablets or capsules) that are stable at room temperature between 15°C and 25°C. Keep them in original manufacturer blister packs or pharmacy-labelled bottles, unwrapped tablets in a pill organiser will not satisfy Vietnamese customs documentation checks.

Vietnam's tropical climate means high humidity in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, particularly from May to October. Store tablets away from direct sunlight and heat sources. A sealed zip-lock bag inside an opaque medication pouch is sufficient for transit.

At the airport and border

Airport security with benzodiazepines

All benzodiazepines in this class are oral solid-dose medications, so liquid security rules do not apply. Place your medication in a separate tray at the X-ray belt and have your doctor's letter immediately accessible rather than buried in your bag.

Security screening rules for cabin baggage are set by each country's national aviation authority, not by airlines. If you are transiting through a third country en route to Vietnam, check that country's rules for carrying controlled psychotropics in the cabin, as requirements differ.

Customs and import rules for benzodiazepines in Vietnam

Vietnam's General Department of Customs (Tổng cục Hải quan) requires travellers carrying controlled psychotropics to declare all benzodiazepines at the Red Channel on arrival^[4]. Present your doctor's letter and original packaging at the declaration desk. Do not use the Green Channel.

The import quantity ceiling is 10 days for psychotropic medications, enforced by Vietnamese customs^[2]. Any quantity above this requires a Ministry of Health export licence arranged before departure. Confiscation of the excess is the standard customs response to undocumented quantities.

Controlled substance warning: all benzodiazepines

Every benzodiazepine in this class (alprazolam, diazepam, clonazepam, lorazepam, temazepam, midazolam, oxazepam, triazolam) is classified as a psychotropic controlled substance under Vietnam's Pharmacy Law, as administered by the Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV). Carrying any of these without a doctor's letter and customs declaration exposes you to confiscation, fines, or legal action under Vietnamese narcotics law. Vietnam's narcotics statutes impose serious penalties for possession without proper documentation. Always use the Red Channel, declare fully, and carry original packaging.

While in country

Benzodiazepine availability in Vietnam

Diazepam is the most reliably available benzodiazepine in Vietnam, sold generically under the name Seduxen and available in hospital pharmacy settings. Alprazolam (Xanax and generics) is accessible in major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City^[5]. Clonazepam is reported in some hospital pharmacies under the Rivotril brand, and lorazepam under Ativan or Temesta, but stock is inconsistent and cannot be guaranteed before you arrive.

Temazepam, midazolam (outside hospital procedural use), oxazepam, and triazolam are not reliably stocked in community pharmacies in Vietnam. Midazolam is generally reserved for hospital procedural use under the Dormicum name^[6] and would not be dispensed for outpatient use. If you take any of these four medications, bring your full 10-day permitted supply and do not rely on local sourcing.

Use hospital-affiliated pharmacies rather than street-level private pharmacies for any benzodiazepine. Counterfeit diazepam and alprazolam have been reported at some independent pharmacies^[5] in Vietnam. International hospitals in Hanoi (such as Vinmec or Hanoi French Hospital) and in Ho Chi Minh City (FV Hospital, Cho Ray) have regulated dispensing chains.

Generic diazepam at a hospital pharmacy costs approximately ₫30,000 to ₫80,000 (~$1.20 to $3.20 / ~€1.10 to €2.90) for a short-course pack. Branded alprazolam (Xanax) runs higher at approximately ₫150,000 to ₫350,000 (~$6 to $14 / ~€5.50 to €12.70) for a week's supply, though these are rough guides and prices vary by hospital and city.

Pharmacy phrases in Vietnamese

Use these phrases at the pharmacy counter or hospital reception when asking about your benzodiazepine.

“Tôi đang dùng thuốc an thần theo toa. Bạn có [tên thuốc] không?”

I take a prescription sedative. Do you have [medication name]?

“Có thuốc gốc thay thế cho [tên thuốc] không?”

Is there a generic equivalent for [medication name]?

“Tôi cần gặp bác sĩ tâm thần hoặc thần kinh để được cấp toa thuốc tại đây.”

I need to see a psychiatrist or neurologist to get a local prescription here.

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Finding a doctor who can prescribe benzodiazepines in Vietnam

Benzodiazepines in Vietnam are prescribed by psychiatrists and neurologists. A general practitioner at a private clinic can refer you, but dispensing of psychotropics requires a specialist prescription^[7] at a licensed facility. International hospitals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have English-speaking psychiatrists; expect a consultation fee of approximately ₫800,000 to ₫2,000,000 (~$32 to $80 / ~€29 to €73).

Telemedicine platforms licensed in Vietnam can connect you with a local psychiatrist without an in-person visit, though the dispensing of a psychotropic controlled substance will still require an in-person consultation at a licensed facility for the first prescription. Refer to Nomedic's Vietnam travel guide for a broader healthcare context.

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Storing benzodiazepines while in Vietnam

All benzodiazepines in this class are stable at room temperature. Vietnam's average daytime temperatures in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City range from 28°C to 38°C in summer months, which is within acceptable storage tolerance for sealed blister packs. Keep tablets out of direct sunlight and away from bathroom humidity.

In-room hotel safes are suitable for storing your supply overnight. If you are staying in accommodation without climate control, use an insulated medication pouch and keep it in the coolest part of the room, away from windows. No refrigeration is required for any benzodiazepine in this class.

Emergencies

What to do if something goes wrong with your benzodiazepines in Vietnam

If your medication is lost or stolen, file a police report immediately (Police: 113). Carry a digital copy of your doctor's letter and original prescription in your email or cloud storage so you can present it to a local hospital. Contact your country's embassy or consulate in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, they can provide a list of local doctors and assist with documentation if originals are lost.

If you run out of medication or your specific benzodiazepine is unavailable locally, go to the nearest international hospital and ask to see a psychiatrist or neurologist. That doctor will assess your situation and decide, on clinical grounds, whether a locally available alternative is appropriate. Do not attempt to source a substitute through informal channels, only a licensed local physician can make a safe substitution decision.

Key phrases in Vietnamese for emergencies

Tôi cần bác sĩ ngay (I need a doctor immediately. Tôi đang dùng thuốc tâm thần theo toa) I take prescription psychiatric medication. Vui lòng gọi xe cấp cứu (Please call an ambulance. Nhà thuốc gần nhất ở đâu?) Where is the nearest pharmacy? Tôi bị mất thuốc, I have lost my medication.

For medical emergencies in Vietnam, call the ambulance service on 115. Emergency departments at Vinmec International Hospital (Hanoi), FV Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City), and Hoan My Medical Corporation hospitals accept international patients and have English-speaking staff.

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Frequently asked questions

Are benzodiazepines legal in Vietnam?

Benzodiazepines are legal in Vietnam for personal medical use when accompanied by a valid doctor's letter and carried within the 10-day import limit. They are classified as psychotropic controlled substances under Vietnam's Pharmacy Law, so undocumented possession or quantities above the permitted ceiling can result in confiscation or legal action.

Can I bring benzodiazepines into Vietnam?

Yes, you can bring benzodiazepines into Vietnam for personal use, but the quantity is capped at 10 days for psychotropic drugs. Declare them at the Red Channel, carry your doctor's letter on clinic letterhead, and keep all medication in original labelled packaging.

Do I need a doctor's letter to fly with Klonopin or Valium?

Yes. Every benzodiazepine, including clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepam (Valium), is a psychotropic controlled substance in Vietnam, and a signed doctor's letter on clinic letterhead is required for customs declaration. The letter must include the INN, brand name, dose, frequency, and quantity carried.

Which benzodiazepines are available in Vietnam?

Diazepam (sold as Seduxen and generics) is the most reliably available benzodiazepine in Vietnam, primarily at hospital pharmacies. Alprazolam (Xanax and generics) is accessible in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Clonazepam (Rivotril) and lorazepam (Ativan, Temesta) are available at some hospital pharmacies but stock is inconsistent. Temazepam, oxazepam, and triazolam are not reliably stocked in community settings; midazolam is reserved for hospital procedural use and is not available for outpatient dispensing.

Is Xanax (alprazolam) available in Vietnam?

Xanax (alprazolam) and generic alprazolam are available at pharmacies in major cities including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, though counterfeit products have been reported at some independent pharmacies. Use hospital-affiliated pharmacies to reduce that risk, and carry your imported supply as your primary source for the permitted 10 days.

What if my specific benzodiazepine brand is not available in Vietnam?

Go directly to an international hospital and request a consultation with a psychiatrist or neurologist. Only a licensed local doctor can determine whether a locally available benzodiazepine or alternative is clinically appropriate for your situation. Diazepam (Seduxen) is the most likely option a Vietnamese physician will have access to, but the substitution decision rests entirely with them.

What if I run out of benzodiazepines in Vietnam?

Visit an international hospital in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City and ask for a psychiatrist or neurologist. Bring your original prescription, doctor's letter, and any remaining medication packaging. The local doctor can issue a Vietnamese prescription for a locally available benzodiazepine if they judge it clinically safe. Do not attempt to purchase benzodiazepines without a local prescription, as that constitutes undocumented possession of a controlled psychotropic.

Does Vietnam require a health declaration on arrival?

Under Decree 165/2026/ND-CP, Vietnam introduced a health declaration framework from 1 July 2026, but the Ministry of Health has clarified that it is not mandatory for all travellers at all times. It is triggered only when the Ministry activates it in response to a specific infectious disease outbreak. Airports continue routine thermal screening. Check the Vietnam Ministry of Health website before your departure date for the current activation status.

Related practical guide

Benzodiazepines Abroad: Why Customs Can Seize Your Prescription

A valid prescription does not protect your benzodiazepines at every border. Here is what customs officers actually check, and what happens when supply runs out abroad.