Viet Nam became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on March 17, 2005.

Smoke Free Places: Smoking is banned in the entire indoor and outdoor premises of health facilities, educational facilities (other than universities, colleges, and academic institutes where smoking is prohibited indoors only), and childcare and entertainment areas designated for children. In other public places and workplaces, smoking is prohibited indoors, with the exception of airport waiting areas, bars, karaoke lounges, discos, hotels, and guesthouses, where designated smoking rooms are permitted. Smoking is prohibited on most forms of public transport, with designated smoking rooms allowed on ships and trains.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: Tobacco advertising and promotion is prohibited, with the exception of point of sale displays of tobacco products. Tobacco product displays are restricted to one pack, carton, or box of each cigarette brand. There are some restrictions on tobacco sponsorship and the publicity of such sponsorship.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: Rotating combined picture and text health warnings are required to cover 50 percent of the front and back of unit and outside packaging and labeling. The government is required to increase the size of warnings within a certain time period it deems “suitable”. Misleading terms and “forms” are prohibited on tobacco products; however, an exemption applies to terms that comprise brand names registered as intellectual property prior to the effective date of the 2012 Tobacco Control Law.

Tobacco Taxation and Prices: The World Health Organization recommends raising tobacco excise taxes so that they account for at least 70 percent of retail prices. Tobacco excise taxes in Viet Nam are well below these recommendations.