Vietnam – Prescriptions and Medications

What are pharmacies called in Vietnam, and how do I recognise one?

The Vietnamese term for a pharmacy is nhà thuốc. Storefronts typically display these words prominently alongside an image of a mortar and pestle. The green cross symbol familiar from European pharmacies is also widely used, so newcomers will find the visual signage reassuringly recognisable.

Vietnam organises pharmaceutical retail into three formal tiers. A full pharmacy (Nhà Thuốc) represents the highest level and may only be registered under a pharmacist holding a bachelor’s degree qualification. A drug counter (Quầy thuốc) sits one tier below and can be operated by a college-diploma-level pharmacy technician. This distinction has practical implications: a fully licensed nhà thuốc generally carries a broader product range and benefits from more extensively trained staff.

All outlets are legally obliged to post their registration numbers and qualification details on exterior signage so that the public can make informed choices. In practice, look out for this business licence display — well-run pharmacies will show it without hesitation.

Vietnam’s pharmaceutical retail sector encompasses approximately 50,000 pharmacies, with modern chains claiming an ever-larger share of the market. Among the largest are Long Chau, which operates more than 2,100 stores, and Pharmacity, which has close to 1,000 locations nationwide. These chains tend to offer standardised pricing, a consistent product range, and — particularly in urban centres — staff with at least some ability to assist customers in languages other than Vietnamese.

What are pharmacy opening hours in Vietnam?

Most pharmacies in Vietnam operate seven days a week, generally from 8 am through to 10 pm. Independent neighbourhood outlets may keep slightly shorter hours, often opening around 7:30 or 8 am and closing between 9 and 10 pm. Weekend and public holiday hours can vary at smaller premises.

Major public and private hospitals almost universally maintain round-the-clock pharmacy services. Access may require entering the hospital itself, but this represents the most dependable way to obtain medicine outside standard hours. This is especially worth knowing during the Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday, when many independent pharmacies significantly curtail their opening times.

The large chain pharmacies — Long Chau and Pharmacity in particular — are steadily expanding their presence, and their flagship city-centre branches in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi frequently stay open late, making them a practical resource when other options are unavailable. Vietnam does not run a formal rotating duty-pharmacy system as found in some European countries, so for genuine late-night needs, a hospital pharmacy or a 24-hour chain outlet is your most reliable recourse.

To locate a 24-hour pharmacy near you, search Google Maps using the terms “24-hour pharmacy near me” or “nhà thuốc 24h” for current, verified results. Hotel reception staff or your building concierge will often be able to point you in the right direction as well.

Which medicines can I buy over the counter in Vietnam, and which require a prescription?

Vietnamese law divides medicines into two principal categories: those that require a valid prescription from a registered medical practitioner, and those that may be purchased over the counter (OTC) without one. In some cases, a pharmacist’s advice is expected before an OTC sale is completed, but a formal prescription is not required.

In practice, around 81.7% of medicines are dispensed without a prescription, including many antibiotics. Painkillers, antihistamines, cold and flu preparations, oral contraceptives, antifungal treatments, and oral rehydration salts are all routinely available without a prescription. This is considerably more permissive than the regulatory environment in many other countries.

Antibiotics warrant particular attention. In some parts of Vietnam, surveys have found that nearly 91% of antibiotic sales occur without a medical prescription. Vietnamese law — under the Pharmacy Act of 2005, amended in 2016 and again in 2024 — does require a prescription for antibiotics, but enforcement remains limited. While this makes antibiotics accessible, responsible use is critical: inappropriate antibiotic consumption is a documented contributor to antimicrobial resistance, which is an established public health challenge in Vietnam.

Controlled substances operate under a far stricter framework. Opioids, powerful sedatives, and certain psychiatric drugs fall into this category, and their manufacture, distribution, and dispensing are subject to tightly enforced special controls because of their potential for dependence, misuse, or serious harm without proper supervision.

Vietnam’s amended Pharmacy Law, which took effect in July 2025, now permits the sale of non-prescription medicines through e-commerce platforms, while preserving existing restrictions on controlled substances. Online retail of prescription drugs remains prohibited under ordinary circumstances, as does the online sale of medicines subject to special regulatory controls. Sourcing prescription medicines from international online pharmacies and importing them into Vietnam through unofficial channels is not permitted — always use licensed local outlets.

Will my prescription from another country be accepted in Vietnam?

Overseas prescriptions are not guaranteed to be accepted at Vietnamese pharmacies. Some international clinics and larger chain pharmacies may choose to honour a foreign prescription or help identify a local equivalent, but there is no bilateral or multilateral agreement giving foreign prescriptions formal legal standing in Vietnam. You should not treat a home-country prescription as your primary plan for obtaining medicines here.

For practical day-to-day purposes, this matters less than it might appear, because the vast majority of medications can be purchased OTC without any prescription at all. For genuinely prescription-only medicines — controlled substances, specialist chronic disease therapies, and the like — you will need a prescription issued by a doctor registered in Vietnam.

The most effective approach for newly arrived expats is to carry both a digital and a physical copy of any existing prescription, learn the generic (International Non-proprietary) name of each medication rather than relying solely on brand names, and visit a local clinic promptly to obtain a Vietnamese prescription where one is needed. Generic names remain consistent internationally, enabling pharmacists to identify the correct product even when familiar brand names differ between countries.

How do I get a prescription in Vietnam?

Obtaining a prescription in Vietnam is a relatively uncomplicated process. Unlike healthcare systems in some countries that require patients to register with a named GP before accessing services, Vietnam imposes no such formal requirement. You may walk into any licensed clinic, private hospital, or general practice, consult a doctor on the same day, and receive a prescription if one is warranted.

The process typically unfolds as follows:

1. Choose a clinic or hospital: Expats in major cities frequently favour international or private clinics, which are more likely to employ multilingual staff and doctors familiar with international treatment norms. Public hospitals are a viable and significantly more affordable alternative, though language assistance may be limited.
2. Consult the doctor: Describe your condition or existing treatment clearly. If you have brought a prescription from your home country, present it — although it carries no legal force in Vietnam, it gives the doctor useful context about your medical history and helps them prescribe an appropriate equivalent.
3. Receive a Vietnamese prescription: The doctor will provide a handwritten or printed prescription in Vietnamese. Vietnamese prescriptions are not tied to a specific dispensing pharmacy, so you may take them to any registered outlet.
4. Dispense at a pharmacy: Present the prescription at any licensed nhà thuốc. The pharmacist will dispense your medicine and may offer guidance on dosage and correct use.

Prescription validity periods are not standardised across Vietnam in the way they are in certain other countries — such as the six-month validity common in many EU member states. It is worth clarifying directly with your prescribing doctor how long the prescription remains in effect and whether repeat dispensing is permissible.

Medicines in Vietnam are regulated by the Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV), a body within the Ministry of Health responsible for overseeing the safety, efficacy, and quality of pharmaceutical products. The Ministry of Health’s official website — moh.gov.vn — is the authoritative source for regulatory guidance.

How much do prescriptions cost in Vietnam, and is there a subsidised medicines scheme?

Vietnam does not operate a flat-fee or prepayment prescription scheme comparable to the UK’s prescription prepayment certificate or Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Medication prices are largely determined by market forces, and what individuals pay depends on where they obtain their medicines, whether they hold health insurance, and whether they are accessing public or private services.

Those using the public healthcare system with a valid Vietnamese health insurance card (bảo hiểm y tế) benefit from a co-payment arrangement: the insurance fund covers a substantial portion of the cost of medicines on the approved list that are dispensed through the public system, with the patient covering the balance. The co-payment proportion varies according to the patient’s insurance tier, the specific medicine, and the facility level. Many expats employed in Vietnam are enrolled through their employer and may have access to this system — see the section on health insurance below for further detail.

For those paying privately at retail pharmacies, medication prices in Vietnam are broadly low by international standards. Everyday generics — paracetamol, ibuprofen, antihistamines, oral rehydration sachets — cost only a few thousand Vietnamese Dong (VND) per pack, frequently amounting to less than one or two US dollars. Even imported branded products tend to be priced well below equivalent items in Western Europe or North America.

There is no equivalent of Australia’s PBS safety net that caps annual out-of-pocket medicine spending regardless of where you obtain your drugs. Expats managing chronic conditions requiring expensive branded or specialist medications should factor this into their planning — making comprehensive private health insurance particularly worthwhile. Always confirm current pricing directly with the relevant clinic, pharmacy, or insurer, and consult the Vietnamese Ministry of Health website for official information on subsidised medicine lists.

Are brand-name and generic medicines both available in Vietnam?

Both branded and generic medicines are readily available across Vietnam. The market encompasses domestically produced generics as well as imported branded products from multinational pharmaceutical manufacturers. Generics are typically far cheaper than their branded counterparts, and the price differential can be considerable for certain drug categories.

Vietnamese doctors sometimes write prescriptions using brand names, particularly in private settings, but Ministry of Health policy encourages prescribing by International Non-proprietary Name (INN) — that is, the generic name. Pharmacists, especially in public hospital settings where cost management is a priority, are permitted to propose a generic alternative. If cost is a factor, it is always reasonable to ask whether a generic version is available.

Circular 12/2025/TT-BYT, which came into force in July 2025, introduced more rigorous regulations for OTC medicines with the aim of aligning Vietnamese standards more closely with international norms. These reforms are expected to improve quality consistency across both branded and generic product lines over time. Regardless of whether you are purchasing a branded or generic medicine, using reputable chain pharmacies or hospital pharmacy outlets provides the greatest assurance of quality. Always inspect packaging for signs of tampering, check the expiry date, and verify the registration number before accepting any product.

Counterfeit and substandard medicines remain a concern in parts of the retail market, particularly at smaller or less regulated outlets. Purchasing from established pharmacy chains or hospital pharmacies substantially reduces this risk.

What should expats know about bringing medications into Vietnam from abroad?

If you are relocating to Vietnam and intend to bring a personal supply of medicines from your home country, the applicable rules depend significantly on the category of medicine involved. The critical regulatory distinction is between ordinary prescription medicines, psychotropic substances, and narcotic drugs.

Travellers entering Vietnam may bring medicines for their own personal medical treatment without an import licence, provided the quantity does not exceed 7 days’ supply for narcotic drugs or 10 days’ supply for psychotropic drugs or medicines containing precursor substances, calculated at the dosage stated in the accompanying prescription. Narcotic and psychotropic drugs must be declared to customs on arrival and must not exceed the quantity specified in the enclosed doctor’s prescription.

For general prescription medicines, individuals are typically permitted to bring up to a 30-day supply into Vietnam, provided the medicines are strictly for personal use. Be aware that some medications sold over the counter in other countries — such as those containing significant quantities of codeine or pseudoephedrine — may be classified as controlled substances under Vietnamese law. It is essential to check the Vietnamese regulatory status of every medicine you plan to carry before departing.

All medicines must bear labels clearly stating the product name, active ingredients, concentration, contents, and expiry date, and must be accompanied by a prescription from a physician. The prescription must include at minimum the patient’s name and age, the drug name and strength, the quantity, dosage instructions, and the full name, signature, and address of the prescribing doctor.

For controlled substances, you may make a declaration at Vietnamese customs at your port of entry, supported by your travel itinerary and documentary evidence of medical necessity. The customs authority will determine whether to permit the medicines to enter the country. Regulations in this area are subject to change. Always verify current requirements with the General Department of Vietnam Customs or through your nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate before you travel.

Vietnam enforces extremely strict drug laws, and all recreational drugs are illegal. Even legitimately prescribed medicines containing substances that Vietnam classifies as controlled may be subject to restrictions, so checking your medications against Vietnamese regulations before travel is essential.

How do private health insurance and public healthcare affect prescription costs in Vietnam?

Vietnam operates a social health insurance programme (bảo hiểm y tế) administered by Vietnam Social Security (VSS). Vietnamese law requires employers to enrol their staff — including foreign nationals holding a valid work permit — in this scheme. This means that many expats working legally in Vietnam are entitled to access public healthcare, including subsidised medicines, through the state system.

In practice, the public system differs from fully tax-funded models such as the UK’s NHS or Canada’s Medicare. Rather than providing medicines free at the point of use, it operates on a co-payment basis: the insurance fund covers a defined percentage of the cost of listed medicines dispensed at enrolled public facilities, with the patient meeting the remainder. The co-payment rate varies depending on the patient’s insurance tier, the specific medicine, and the level of the treating facility. Since rates and reimbursement lists are updated periodically, always confirm current coverage with your employer’s HR department or directly with Vietnam Social Security.

Expats seeking more predictable, comprehensive coverage — particularly for specialist medications, branded drugs, or treatment at international hospitals — are strongly advised to take out private health insurance. Medicines can be paid for by cash or card at pharmacies, and depending on the policy, insurance may also reimburse prescription costs. Most comprehensive expat health insurance plans cover prescribed medicines obtained following a covered consultation, although policies differ considerably in their prescription drug benefits, annual limits, and pre-authorisation requirements for specialist medicines.

Unlike Australia’s PBS, which delivers a government-subsidised price for an approved list of medicines regardless of the doctor or pharmacy involved, Vietnam’s public medicine subsidy is conditional on treatment being delivered within the public hospital system using your health insurance card. If you purchase the same medicine at a private pharmacy without routing it through the public system, you pay the full retail price. This is a meaningful difference for expats accustomed to community-pharmacy-based subsidies elsewhere, and it highlights the importance of understanding which system you are using at any given time.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do if I need medication urgently outside pharmacy opening hours?

For medicines needed outside regular hours in Vietnam, hospital pharmacies — which typically operate around the clock — and late-night branches of major chains in city centres are your most reliable options. Searching Google Maps for “nhà thuốc 24h” will surface nearby 24-hour outlets with up-to-date information. If the situation constitutes a genuine medical emergency, proceed directly to the nearest hospital’s accident and emergency department rather than attempting to self-medicate.

How do I find a pharmacist who can communicate in a language other than Vietnamese?

Major pharmacy chains represent the safest bet for expats seeking language assistance, as staff at urban locations are more likely to have some competency in English, and these outlets also offer fixed pricing and reliable quality standards. International clinics in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang also maintain in-house pharmacies with multilingual staff. A smartphone translation application can be invaluable when communicating medicine names or symptoms at a smaller independent pharmacy.

How do I manage a chronic condition during the transition period before I have established local healthcare?

Bring as generous a supply of your medication as customs rules allow — typically up to 30 days for most general prescription medicines. Simultaneously, book a consultation at an international clinic as early as possible after arrival to secure a Vietnamese prescription for your continuing treatment. Travel with both the generic and brand names of each medicine, and ask your home doctor for a letter summarising your diagnosis and current treatment regimen, which will help a Vietnamese physician prescribe an appropriate equivalent.

Are medications for mental health conditions available in Vietnam?

Antidepressants, anxiolytics, and other psychiatric medicines are obtainable in Vietnam but are designated as controlled or prescription-only substances. A prescription from a psychiatrist or licensed doctor is required, and they must be dispensed through a registered pharmacy. Import quantities are restricted — psychotropic medicines are capped at a 10-day supply at the point of entry. Expats managing mental health conditions are encouraged to establish care with a psychiatrist at an international clinic early in the relocation process.

Are counterfeit medicines a real risk in Vietnam?

Counterfeit and substandard medicines do circulate in the Vietnamese market, most commonly through smaller or unregulated retail outlets. Signs of a reputable pharmacy include professional signage, clean and well-organised premises, and uniformed staff. Established pharmacies will display their business licences prominently. Shopping at recognised chains such as Long Chau or Pharmacity, or at hospital and international clinic pharmacies, greatly reduces exposure to this risk. Always inspect the packaging seal and expiry date before accepting any medicine.

Can I order medicines online for home delivery in Vietnam?

Both Long Chau and Pharmacity operate online ordering platforms through their official apps and offer home delivery, with most common medications available without a prescription. Delivery times of 30 to 90 minutes are typical in major urban areas. Under the 2024 Pharmacy Law amendments, prescription medicines remain prohibited from online sale in standard circumstances — these must be collected in person at a licensed outlet upon presentation of a valid prescription.

Does Vietnam have reciprocal healthcare agreements with other countries that affect prescription access?

Vietnam does not currently hold broad reciprocal healthcare or prescription-recognition arrangements with other nations comparable to the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) system. Foreign prescriptions have no formal validity in Vietnamese pharmacies. Expats who have recently arrived in Vietnam must obtain a locally issued prescription from a Vietnam-registered doctor for any medicine that requires one under Vietnamese law.

What are the rules on bringing insulin or other injectable medications into Vietnam?

Insulin and other injectable medicines for conditions such as diabetes are generally permitted for personal use and fall within the standard 30-day supply allowance for general prescription medicines. Carry a clear letter from your doctor specifying your diagnosis, the medication name, dosage, and the clinical necessity for injections or needles. If your insulin requires refrigeration, make appropriate arrangements for transport and storage throughout your journey. As always, declare at customs if you have any uncertainty, and contact the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in advance to confirm current requirements for your specific medication.

Where can I find the official list of approved medicines in Vietnam?

The Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV), operating within the Ministry of Health, publishes and maintains official registers of approved and registered medicines. Regulatory information is accessible through the Ministry of Health website (moh.gov.vn), and the DAV can be contacted directly regarding specific products. For questions about import rules and customs declarations, the authoritative body is the General Department of Vietnam Customs.