Vyvanse in Vietnam: Banned Status, Legal Risk and Alternatives

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is not registered in Vietnam. Plan your full supply before you fly to avoid legal risks at customs.

Quick reference

Drug class: CNS stimulant
Controlled substance: Lisdexamfetamine is not registered in Vietnam. Amphetamine-class compounds fall under Vietnam's Narcotics Law No. 23/2000/QH10 and its amendments, which classify amphetamines as prohibited narcotic substances.
Prescription required: No legal pathway exists for a foreign visitor to obtain Vyvanse in Vietnam. The drug is not registered by the Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV).
Available locally: Vyvanse is not available at any pharmacy chain in Vietnam. Elvanse (the European sibling brand, same active ingredient) is equally unregistered. No lisdexamfetamine product is authorised for sale in Vietnam.
Storage: Keep capsules in original blister or bottle, away from heat above 25°C and direct sunlight. Vietnam's humidity can degrade packaging; use a sealed travel case.
Max supply to carry: Vietnam caps personal medication imports at 10 days for psychotropic substances under Circular 20/2017/TT-BYT. Lisdexamfetamine's amphetamine-class status creates additional legal uncertainty beyond that cap.
Key document: A doctor's letter naming both 'Vyvanse' and 'lisdexamfetamine' plus dose is essential. Declare at customs on arrival. The letter does not guarantee clearance given the drug's unregistered status.
Emergency alternative: If Vyvanse runs out, consult a local psychiatrist at a private hospital in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City; do not attempt to purchase a substitute without medical supervision.

Where to find Vyvanse in Vietnam

Long Chau (FPT Retail)
Vyvanse is not registered in Vietnam; Long Chau does not stock it. Staff may not recognise the brand name.
Not available
Unknown
Pharmacity
No lisdexamfetamine products are listed in the Pharmacity catalogue. Do not expect any formulation to be available.
Not available
Unknown
An Khang Pharmacy
An Khang does not stock unregistered CNS stimulants. Vyvanse cannot be sourced here.
Not available
Unknown
Hospital pharmacies (Bach Mai, Cho Ray)
Public hospital pharmacies dispense only DAV-registered drugs. Vyvanse is not on the national formulary.
Not available
Unknown

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Vyvanse in Vietnam: what you need to know before you travel

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is not registered by Vietnam's Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV)^[1], and its active ingredient belongs to an amphetamine class that Vietnamese law treats as a prohibited narcotic. Elvanse, the European sibling brand containing the same active ingredient, is equally unregistered. For broader ADHD medication rules in Vietnam, see our ADHD in Vietnam guide; this page focuses on what is specific to the Vyvanse brand itself.

The practical implication is straightforward: bring your full supply from home. You cannot purchase Vyvanse, Elvanse, or any lisdexamfetamine product at a Vietnamese pharmacy, and no in-country refill pathway exists for this brand.

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 Vyvanse

Vietnam limits personal psychotropic imports to 10 days' supply under Circular 20/2017/TT-BYT^[2]. Because lisdexamfetamine is unregistered and amphetamine-class, customs clearance is not guaranteed even with documentation. Your doctor's letter must name both 'Vyvanse' and 'lisdexamfetamine' alongside the dose and daily quantity, because customs officers are likely to search by brand name.

Naming Vyvanse on your doctor's letter

The letter should include the brand name 'Vyvanse', the international generic name 'lisdexamfetamine', the dose in milligrams, the daily quantity, and the total supply in capsules. Vietnamese customs officers may not recognise Elvanse as the same drug, so specifying Vyvanse by name reduces delay at the border.

Questions to ask your prescriber before you travel

Because Vyvanse is unavailable in Vietnam, these questions focus on preparation and contingency rather than local refill.

If Vyvanse cannot be imported or is confiscated at customs, is there a non-amphetamine alternative you can document in a separate letter for use in Vietnam under medical supervision?
Can you write the doctor's letter naming both 'Vyvanse' and 'lisdexamfetamine' with dose, daily quantity, total capsule count, and your registration number, to satisfy Vietnamese customs requirements?
If my trip extends beyond the 10-day import cap, what is your recommended plan for the portion of my trip that cannot be covered by what I bring legally?
What symptoms or situations should prompt me to attend a private hospital psychiatrist in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, and what information should I carry for that consultation?
What is your emergency contact method if I need you to communicate directly with a treating physician in Vietnam?

How much Vyvanse to bring

Vietnam's 10-day cap under Circular 20/2017/TT-BYT^[2] is the legal ceiling for psychotropic imports. For trips longer than 10 days, there is no legal resupply route for Vyvanse in Vietnam. Discuss with your prescriber how to manage the gap before departure rather than relying on any in-country solution.

At the airport and border

Customs and security with Vyvanse in Vietnam

Declare Vyvanse on your customs form on arrival at Noi Bai (Hanoi) or Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City). Carry the medication in its original labelled bottle or blister packaging, together with your doctor's letter and prescription. Vietnam's Ministry of Health controls psychotropic imports at the border^[3], and officers may refer amphetamine-class drugs to a supervisor regardless of documentation. Keep the capsules in your carry-on bag rather than checked luggage so they remain with you if questions arise.

While in country

Vyvanse availability in Vietnam

Vyvanse vs sibling brands in Vietnam

Brand	Indication	Formulation	Availability in Vietnam
Vyvanse	ADHD (adults and children)	Oral capsule, once daily	Not registered; not available at any pharmacy
Elvanse	ADHD (adults and children)	Oral capsule, once daily	Not registered in Vietnam; not available

Neither Vyvanse nor Elvanse appears in Vietnam's Drug Administration registered product database^[1]. No Vietnamese pharmacy, public or private, can legally dispense either brand. Asking at the counter is unlikely to produce a result, and purchasing from an unlicensed source carries serious legal risk for you as the buyer.

No retail price exists for Vyvanse in Vietnam because the drug is not for sale. Private hospital psychiatrists at facilities such as Vinmec or FV Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City can assess ADHD but cannot prescribe lisdexamfetamine locally. A private consultation typically costs between 800,000 and 1,500,000 VND (~$32 to ~$60 / ~€29 to ~€55) depending on the facility.

Pharmacy phrases for Vietnam

“Bạn có thuốc Vyvanse không?”

Do you have Vyvanse?

“Nếu không có Vyvanse, bạn có thuốc Elvanse không?”

If you don't have Vyvanse, do you have Elvanse?

“Có loại thuốc generic của lisdexamfetamine ở đây không?”

Is there a generic version of lisdexamfetamine available here?

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Switching to a different brand or generic in Vietnam

Because no lisdexamfetamine product is registered in Vietnam, switching to Elvanse is not a viable in-country option. Vyvanse and Elvanse share the same active ingredient and formulation type, but neither is available at the pharmacy counter. The key difference between the two brands is geographic: Elvanse is licensed in European markets^[4] while Vyvanse holds approvals in North America and Australia, among others. Neither licence extends to Vietnam.

If your supply runs short, a private hospital psychiatrist in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City can assess whether a locally registered non-stimulant medication is clinically appropriate, but that decision must rest with the treating doctor, not a self-directed switch.

Emergencies

What to do if you lose Vyvanse in Vietnam

If Vyvanse is lost or damaged, no pharmacy in Vietnam can replace it. Go directly to a private hospital with an English-speaking psychiatry department: Vinmec Times City in Hanoi or FV Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City both have psychiatry services.

Bring your original prescription and doctor's letter so the treating clinician has your full medication history. Vietnam's national emergency number is 115 for medical emergencies^[5]. For non-urgent psychiatric support, call the private hospital's international patient line directly.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Vyvanse legal in Vietnam?

No, Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is effectively banned in Vietnam: amphetamine-class compounds are classified as prohibited narcotic substances under Vietnam's Narcotics Law No. 23/2000/QH10, lisdexamfetamine is not registered with the Drug Administration of Vietnam, and no legal pathway exists for a foreign visitor to import or obtain it in the country.

Is Vyvanse available at pharmacies in Vietnam?

No. Vyvanse is not registered by Vietnam's Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV) and cannot be legally sold at any pharmacy in Vietnam, including major chains such as Long Chau and Pharmacity. Hospital pharmacies dispensing only nationally registered drugs also cannot provide it. Bring your full supply from home.

Do I need to declare Vyvanse at Vietnamese customs?

Yes. Declare Vyvanse on your customs form on arrival and carry it in your hand luggage in its original packaging with your doctor's letter. Vietnam's 10-day import cap for psychotropic substances under Circular 20/2017/TT-BYT applies, and lisdexamfetamine's amphetamine-class status means customs officers may refer the medication to a supervisor. Non-declaration of a controlled drug at the border carries the risk of confiscation or more serious legal consequences.

What is the difference between Vyvanse and Elvanse in Vietnam?

Vyvanse and Elvanse contain the same active ingredient, lisdexamfetamine, at equivalent doses and in the same oral capsule form. The brands differ by geography: Vyvanse holds approvals in North America and Australia, while Elvanse is licensed across much of Europe. In Vietnam, neither brand is registered or available at any pharmacy, so the distinction is irrelevant for in-country supply purposes.

Can I switch from Vyvanse to Elvanse in Vietnam if my supply runs out?

You cannot switch to Elvanse in Vietnam because Elvanse is also unregistered there. If your Vyvanse supply runs out, the only option is to consult a private hospital psychiatrist, such as at Vinmec or FV Hospital, who can assess whether a locally registered alternative is clinically appropriate. Never switch medications without medical supervision.

How much does a private psychiatry consultation cost in Vietnam if I run out of Vyvanse?

Private psychiatry consultations at English-speaking hospitals in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City typically cost between 800,000 and 1,500,000 VND (~$32 to ~$60 / ~€29 to ~€55). This covers the consultation only; any locally registered medication prescribed would be billed separately. Check whether your travel insurance covers specialist mental health consultations before you travel.

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.