ILLEGAL Things in Vietnam but Okay around the World 

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My wife and I are honored and grateful to be able to live in Vietnam and we abide by the laws of this fine country! It's not our place to judge what the Government says is or isn't legal or Ok. This is not our country. We are guests in Vietnam and we should respect the laws of the country just as we should be respectful if we were a guest in someone's home. Because essentially that is what we are. We are very happy to be allowed to live in this beautiful and amazing country! Sam & Margaret Adler

I'm impressed with the way you work around sensitive topics to make an informative video while (it seems to me) keeping your integrity.

I'll take a stab at answering the gun question. I live in NJ which has silly laws about the ability to for license gun owners to transport their weapons. However, I have visited family and friends out west where people can opening carry side arms, etc. All places, TX, AZ, NV have super polite people and more importantly, drivers. What's hysterical is there has been a rash of civilians with guns firing at criminals in Houston TX. I personally think it is great because when someone feels the need to brandish a gun during a robbery with innocent people around, I think they have decided they need to become a target for law abiding citizens to stand up for themselves.

I think, as a Vietnamese citizen, you should make a guide for foreigners who visit Vietnam on how to comply with Vietnam laws instead of how to break the laws. I don't think using VPN to pass the restriction of Gov to watch such as that S.Korea film is "the legal way". Are you PR for that film?

It’s funny when alcohol is legal to use in Vietnam and you gonna go to jail if you smoke weed. If a group of people drinking together, 3 hours later they all get up and fighting like crazy while a group of people smoking weed together after 3 hours they all feel hungry, then eat, chill and relax.

Yes the freêdom of spêėch is prohibited, cuz This reminds me of the thousand of jailed journalists, fårmêrs in vietnam so far such as Tran Huynh Duy Thuc , Pham Chi Dung , Nguyen Tuong Thuy , Pham Chi Thanh , Can Thi Theu , Le Dinh Luong , Truong Minh Duc , Nguyen Trung Ton , Pham Van Troi , Hoang Duc Binh , Tran Anh Kim , Pham Van Diep and the GREEN environmentalist Nguy Thi Khanh.

Wow that young girl field stripped and assembled that rifle so fast....just amazing! Those laws seem quite reasonable to me. As world travelers we need to be respectful of other countries. Its just common sense. Really enjoy your style in putting these videos together Van. ☺️👍

I moved to canada back in 91' and haven't been to vietnam since. I'm so out of touch with my own culture, so i have this nagging feeling in the back of my mind that i need to go and visit soon, while i'm still young. My mom passed away from cancer in highschool and i'v been kind of lost ever since. Never felt quit at peace with myself, no place I feel like i can call home. Maybe visiting vietnam might give me some closure on the life I would've lived had I never moved to canada.

Some medications are illegal, which are legal in other countries; for example, I have ADHD and the stimulant medication I take to treat it is prescribed by my doctor in the UK, but when I come over to Vietnam in two weeks, I have to leave it behind because its not legal.

Hi Van, as a Canadian I have been exposed to American culture right from the get-go through TV and other medium etc. In fact, we are so similar in a lot of ways. Same buildings, houses, cars food, traditions, British and French and Spanish historical background etc. But the one thing we as Canadians cannot understand about our American cousins is their love of firearms. I always thought that during times of their civil war in 1861-65, that people i.e. farmers, land owners and settlers needed protection from interlopers, the enemy army or militias, hostile natives and the like. But after the war was over, why the need to still keep and bear arms to fight each other even in modern times? Here in Canada we now have a handgun freeze and are only allowed select long guns but only for target practice in sports or for hunting. But not for personal defense. Thank goodness.

On the driver's licence front. Although the official price is very modest, the reality is that many more 'side fees' must be paid. The 'in practice' cost of getting a VN driver's licence for a foreigner is gonna run you about 2 million dong (around 80 dollars or so). It is (on paper) possible to get it done officially for the very low price but it can take many months of repeated visits/documents and standing in line. Best go through a local 'agent' who understands the system and can get it done for you in a about a week or so with just one or two visits.

IAA is a private organisation their "driving licenses" is basicly invalid everywhere. The German Embassy in Vietnam says that our state issued international driving licence (vienna and geneva convention) is valid and accepted in Vietnam. Vietnam is just stricter distincting two-wheeled- and four-wheeled vehicles: While a lot of countries include 50cc-scooters in car-licenses vietnam does not.

Regarding the driver license, Vietnam is an ASEAN member-state, which means that any full, valid driver license issued from another ASEAN member-state, such as Malaysia, would be OK to use in Vietnam.

The wide acceptance of guns is 1 reason I want to LEAVE the U.S. and move to Vietnam.

I'm from the southern USA. Guns and having access to guns is a way of life here. Fishing and hunting are extremely normal activities here. Some people in the south are super afraid and weary of the US government but generally that's not why they own guns. Most of the strong views regarding gun ownership in the USA has to do with protecting your life, family's lives, and protecting your property. In many areas of the south it's super rural... and getting help in an emergency situation could take 20-30 minutes or longer. A saying we have is... when seconds count the police are only minutes away.

Great vid as always👍🏻👍🏻

IN the US, there is not enough police to protect all the citizens. 2100 calls for police assistance for every one policeman, according to the FBI in 2022.

Very informative episode. Please do one on the history of the ao dai!

Enjoy your channel. Very informative. Although I use NORD VPN. I respect Vietnam laws and intend to be respectful of the law. I love my country America and am in favor of our gun rights. My wife and I will be living in Vietnam soon and am excited. I love Vietnam and it’s people, having been married to my first wife for 21 years who was Vietnamese and who past in 2014. Remarried in 2016 to another Vietnamese women . So Vietnam culture , I am somewhat knowledgeable. Decided to move to Vietnam after I retire. This December we leave for Vietnam. I have always felt safe in Vietnam when visiting and when Vietnamese find out I am American they want to strike up a good conversation in English with me. I fine Vietnamese people very friendly and helpful. I have always admired the Vietnamese for their hard work and family relationships. I do speak some Vietnamese but want to learn more while living there. I will still watch your channel while living in Vietnam and hope to meet you some day perhaps. Keep up the good work and God Bless you.

So, how does a foreigner rent a motorcycle for a month? What kind of license is needed, if at all?

Thanks V Always helpful and clear!!!

The weed section is technically true but in practice not true. In large parts of HCMC such as District 10 or other large student areas it is commonplace to see open weed smoking and this can be smelled quite casually on the streets of district 1,2,3,5 in many a coffee shop and bar:)))

Thank You Very much some of This I Expected

Such informative video ,thanks

One thing that travelers/expats might not know about is that adult toys are illegal in Vietnam. So some people might wanna think twice about bringing their special friend..

Very nice and informative video. I like the fact that you make awareness of the the need to respect other cultures.

7:02 I am not sure, but you maybe wrong with the international driving license (at least for some countries). Germanys official Ministry for foreign affairs states: "Anerkennung deutscher Führerscheine in Vietnam Wer im Besitz eines gültigen, in Deutschland ausgestellten internationalen Führerscheins ist, darf die gemäß Führerschein zugelassene Fahrzeugklasse auch in Vietnam führen. In diesem Fall ist eine Umschreibung des ausländischen in einen vietnamesischen Führerschein nicht mehr nötig. " Which translates to: "Recognition of German driver's licenses in Vietnam If you are in possession of a valid international driver's license issued in Germany, you may also drive the vehicle class permitted by the driver's license in Vietnam. In this case, it is no longer necessary to convert the foreign driver's license into a Vietnamese driver's license." Still you may be right as the article you show states "licenses issed by the New York-bases IAA", may be only US licenses? Not sure about that.

I greatly use and appreciate my right to bear arms in my rural US location. Firearms are jointly tools as well toys out here. Lawmakers are generally uninformed about Firearms because they have no experience with them.

Since you asked: - The Second Amendment is about defense against tyranny (be it street crime or political) and invasion. - The Second Amendment doesn't give anyone a right as rights in a proper sense belong to the individual irrespective of government permission; rights cannot be given. The Second Amendment was to disallow government from creating laws and interfering with the preexisting inalienable individual right to self-defense (and by extension the right to keep and bear arms). - I really like that all students in Vietnam are taught about the venerable AK. It's a fine weapon and it is always useful for a nation's population to at least be familiar with a firearm that might one day again be important to preservation of their culture and national sovereignty. - I complete support the notion of a freely armed populous. I have preached it since the 1970s and have carried everyday all of my adult life. All of my grown children and their spouses also carry at least one firearm everyday.

Pornography is illegal to own or distribute in Vietnam.

so we can't hire a bike if we on holiday there anymore?

Brilliant and informative share, thanks so much.I`ve been looking forward to Visiting Vietnam and this video is a good preparation to when I visit Vietnam.

Thank you for educating us on what's illegal in Vietnam. This video is fun and education at the same time. I will be in Vietnam in February. You are my favorite RU-vidr.

The United States hasn't legalized MJ. On the federal level, the current adminstration choose to not prioritize it ( e.g., low enforcement) and at the state level, it varies from being fully legalized, or being treated as an infraction (you get a citcation/ticket) or it's still fully illegal

Interesting topic especially for some that have never been in Vietnam. I did see shisha when I was in denang and did not know it was illegal. Actually what exactly is shisha I think it's just tobacco mixed with something? Correct? I'm looking forward to the day I can visit or live in Vietnam again. Absolutely loved denang Vietnam, but motorcycle touring and adventure in rural Farm areas is my major attraction. Seeing the real people culture, not Tourist saturated areas. Hey thank you for sharing and I really enjoy your nicely evolved English🙏🙏

5:37 💪💪💪 Người dân Việt Nam có sự tôn trọng của tôi. Quốc gia duy nhất mà tôi biết đã từng đánh Mỹ gần 20 năm. Người dân Việt Nam nên tự hào về mọi mặt vì họ đã bảo vệ đất nước của mình khỏi phương Tây. Vietnam ❤

Thanks Van, nice to know, we do own guns (hand guns & hunting rifles) as a hobby in state, our state has the most strict gun laws than others. You can't get Federal related & hi-paying jobs if you fail drug test & background check....

In the US it's not even a matter of supporting or not supporting the right of gun ownership because it's in the Constitution. Changing the Constitution requires something like 2/3rds of congress, then 3/4 of the states need to ratify the change, etc... the laws would be extremely difficult to change. I'd love for some common sense gun law reform to happen, but really it is what it is.

This is a bizarre law technically in the United States you have to spend $365 days in prison if you sell dog or cat food because it is against the law to have sold horse meat and is a felony even though almost the majority of places sell that that are grocery stores or pet stores.

Thank you so much for this channel. I know you've heard it before, but it's absolutely invaluable information for a foreigner planning on living there in the semi near future. I assumed an international driver's license was legal there. Thanks for saving me from getting a fine. Now if I could just find a place to practice driving a motorbike and forget about rules of driving in the U.S.! Thought I might die on the way to my hotel from Noi Bai my first time in VN!!! It's kinda thrilling after that.

yay new video!

Honestly recreational drugs are prohibited in the overwhelming majority of countries. So this will basically only be surprising for American people.

I love the gun culture in America. I am a Viet-American we get to defend ourselves our loved ones our friends and our property if necessary and of course a tyrannical government which is what the 2nd Amendment was created for. I am really happy that Vietnam teaches weapons to the high school students, it is the citizens right to understand and know how to operate a weapon. In America we don't teach it in school we have to rely on a family member who knows how to use a weapon or hire a coach/instructor to teach us the weapon. Thank you for your video I can not wait to go back to Phu Quoc to visit my grandmother and my other family on the island.

I'm not in nam, it ok to choose not to choose rather than pass, no no unless forced speech.

Vn gov can not control the western internet, cuz they are not able to create one.(only china could), that's why VN needs to ensure the internet content in VN. I mean if the gov censør everything, so VN will not have internet and international communication

I will be in Vietnam next week for the first time, and I can’t wait to explore Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, and Ho Chi Minh City! I was thinking of bringing only shorts because it’s summer… but according to your other video, I must wear pants if I want to visit temples and pagodas 😅 Thank you for providing valuable information and saving my life 😂

❤ thank you for sharing. informative 😁

"Marijuana, motorbike?" The most said English words when I was walking around Saigon lol

Van provides a wealth of information and is talented in her presentations. Most fascinating are the things we learn from her that provide a deeper understanding of vnese culture. I don't mean from her content, which is fantastic. I mean her fundamental misunderstandings that most vnese educated people under age 50 have( and many viet kieu). Its all right there in plain view, but just as in VN its a problem to discuss certain realities, we don't discuss it in comments. For those keenly interested, you can learn more from Van's videos than that which is plainly spoken. This can give you more understanding of both vnese and viet kieu.

6:15 to 6:19. Yes. I support the right to bear arms.

Vietnam Gov: You Are Illegal to Drug My Dad: *Keep Drug Anyway*

The IDP - International Driving Permit you mentioned is not accepted because it's not issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention, which Vietnam is a party of, not because Vietnam doesn't accept IDPs. They just can't be a random piece of paper by a random organization like the US thing you mentioned. You can even find the Vietnamese traffic laws online that specifically point out the 1968 convention-based IDPs as valid. Also, as a tourist, you cannot get a Vietnamese driving permit.

I think a distinction has to be drawn on what it written in law and what is enforced. They are often very far apart indeed and even vary from city to city/province to province. HCMC is very relaxed indeed as a rule but certain districts are known to be stricter than others.

I think everyone having access to guns is not a good thing but it's in the US constitution. I think Vietnam where people don't have access to guns is a better society. Vietnam is one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

Great video Van.

If you want to have a discussion about politics, you should not criticize or insult party and their institution. You can point out the mistakes of politicians. But don't underestimate them.

Very good video. Informative

Yesterday, I explained to someone in Pyongyang, NK about how I read an article saying that the North Korean economy depended upon Black Market capitalism to stay alive in wartime. I said I could purchase compact discs cheap, and I opened my care package to remember what I had included, when they announced on the news that some were arrested for watching American videos. I said Taylor Swift allowed me to make CDs for the mental patients for profit, and the person said that would qualify for their COMPLAINT. My best understanding is it has to do with confidentiality, which is the same as everyone's here. It's only a privilege at the best. In a private contract, I guess you could have what you want; however, when social media was becoming popular, there were consents for the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance AND HOW CAN YOU EVEN CONSENT TO THAT? It turns a shield into a sword. A shield is meant to protect you, but quite often people say they need something for their protection, and it is NOT REASONABLE. THEREFORE, the Court is REQUIRED to negate the contract / implied contract. As an attempt to remedy this, my GOOD IVY FRIENDS agreed about a dollar per email longer than two sentences. People have duplicate social media, and the hidden danger is that no one is going to know what they need and how to keep it. In my case, I MUST answer my phone when the ROGUES harass me; and if I don't use my free social media, I could go to the hospital without a warning that they lost touch and wonder if I'm going downhill. In reality, I put my energy elsewhere, because they are not required to get back to me. I thought, if they cared about me, they would each take a step, and one would make it through. Besides DCIII, the Hispanic Clinic went underground, and no one knows why. There are two biracial analysts with German fathers and Kleinfelter's Syndrome. THEY married the Hispanic to a large person from royalty, and they don't always get along. We think Elizabeth Smart is remotely related to me. The Puerto Rican - German broke down today at Save-A-Lot and I said I understand the stress of the drugs, but he depends on his cognition for strength, and it was because I go on and on to get positive reinforcement, and I bought red Kool-Aid and said, "Who does she think she is?" of the wife, and I turned into the line and said, "Who does she think she is?" The same as DCIII and the biracial Vietnamese analyst, the Latino was convicted of sexual assault. What this proves to me is that they must have chosen criteria a computer could match with Kleinfelter's and nothing else. If they weren't VERY GOOD at relationships, they wouldn't be here, AND I KEEP SAYING I CONSENTED TO DOUG. I didn't say he didn't scare everyone because he studied the feudal system, and they have weapons. There was green glass on the street, which I said, and I don't know if he was pretending to cover, because the Irish were meant to go first. THEY must have coded green glass because then the Latino described something about his relationships. Each would tell you he wants to stay married, but it doesn't cover everything he does or requires. The Latino felt it was wrong for Hispanic people to serve Caucasians, and I don't disagree because Jake Tran suppressed it until his Mexico video where it says Mexico was double its current size. In the preppie series, a family got a goose egg on safety, and they said the Indians would go into the woods until the danger passed, thereby not wasting energy. What I think is that each viable method is going to be important, and it's a trick to employ them together. The problem is they are told to go with the computer, while countering helps with analysis, but in solitary they have to guess at interpretations, and I guessed about this. The computer is coded at a healthy male standard, and if you slow down it's more challenging to the point of unbearable. "Claims all problems are resolving." - A medical doctor said this, but she's not a psychiatrist, and I only meant medically. You don't believe me? We already heard back from each other in real time, and we both want to help Douglas Clayton III. She also wrote, "Interesting!" where the other said I have a complicated medical history. There is no excuse for not telling me I was a Kennedy witness. I was afraid I did something wrong, but I remembered something about Walter Freeman.

Yeah they call that here laughing gas

To be fair about traffic: it's illegal to have more than 2 riders on a motorbike, run red lights, and go in the wrong lane. However, sometimes rules are meant to be broken 😅

Keep up the good work

Is a big age gap difference between a foreigner and a Vietnamese girl something common and acceptable?

You asked for input (perspective) from U.S. citizens on two issues: 1) Freedom of Speech (1st Amendment to U.S. Costitution) ...and, 2) Right to Bear Arms (gun control) (2nd Amendment to U.S. Costitution) I'm not here to state a position, but only to note that you will likely see a great divide of opinions on this. But in terms of a reflection on American culture: One thing that often arises is an attitude of arrogance in the defense of this. While most Americans recognize that with such rights, there also comes a certain level of responsibility in one's behavior and discretion in exercising these rights. But, as a "Constitutional Right" some view it as an absolute, which should never be resticted in any manner whatsoever. So yes, it is -- as we say -- a "polarizing issue" here in the United States... ...so perpectives will vary greatly.

Certain Vietnamese music are also banned almost everything that has to do with vietnamese soldiers pre 75, with themes of missing their home , mother, girlfriend etc. Trinh Cong Son has written alot of anti war songs, many are still banned today. The vietnamese government has slowly unbanned some of the music.

Carpet bombings why. Control, power. Suit up. Ford's hemp model. 50 year portfolios vs common.

Marijuanna flowers grow wild in Vietnam. Do some Vietnamese like flowers?

Great stuff!

Question why does Vietnam force everyone to take firearm safety classes if they will be thrown in jail for having a firearm? Do you have like a mandatory draft? So if vietnam were to be invaded every person would be required to fight no matter who they are?

What are the rules around influencers promoting brands or products, but not disclosing that they received money or free products in exchange? In other countries like the US the FTC regulates this and if you endorse brands or products you have to make it obvious you have a relationship with the brand. This means disclosing if you are paid or receive free or discounted products or services. It seems in many countries regulators are starting to get tough and are fining dishonest influencers.

I am an American and I fully support our Second Amendment. However, I think your knowledge of it isn't complete. Our rights to guns isn't only for our personal safety. It's also to protect us from our own government.

Nice Video. Excellent content.

The international drivers-license info is only valid for people from countries that has not ratified the 1968 Vienna-convention (USA, Australia, Canada, India and more). For drivers from countries that have ratified the convention IDL officially can be used. Some Vietnamese police may not be up to date on these rules and some in length talking with them and buying them a cup of coffee might be necessary.

I would love for you to do a video on the LGBTQ community in Vietnam.

Very informative video as always. I love your videos! Just signed up for Surfshark with your code btw. Thanks! Keep up the good work.

If video is illegal in Vietnam, why do you think it will be legal to watch it at home with a VPN? This is promoting the value of cheating.

That land lease thing was actually invented by Hong Kong

How can a plant that grows naturally be illegal???

In every nook and corner in Vietnam 🇻🇳 bamboo pipe tobacco smoke is widely used which is highly intoxicated smoke more powerful than a cigarettes.

I only recently found out whats in those balloons. I didn't like how it made me feel when I tried one. My friends love them but they didn't look healthy, they honestly looked like in a heroin high. AK47 stripping is one of the easiest and most popular weapon around the world that even works if you drop it in mud. Good job on that. AR have too many little parts like springs the size of a pen that can easily be lost and dirtied... After being in cities more often lately, I think rifle purchase and possession should be limited to over 21 or 25. Todays younger kids don't seem to have as much understanding of right or wrong it seems. They're not mature enough to respect the weapon and life.

Weapons are not illegal because we are very friendly each other’s

The so-called "nine dash line" is offensive to many people around the world. I'm glad that it's illegal in Vietnam.

Love this video!

weed is illegal in mexico, you go in jail if you smoke

I’m so grateful to be Australian and have strict no gun laws. I also love this about Vietnam. I felt very shocked and uneasy with the gun laws in America.

Hi Van i love your channel !!! I have a couple questions.... When visiting Vietnam and someone rent's a motorcycle or car are you required to have a license issued from Vietnam to operate it ? Also just want to clarify an outsider cannot buy land and can only lease or rent the land but someone that is a citizen can own the land ? Thank you,,,,,,, 😁

So, when I come visit Vietnam soon, I can't rent a scooter without all that paperwork? Doesn't make much sense. Please advise.

Very good info Pho thanks for the info are there bootleg copies of those movies? I'm sure there are south east asia has a lot of bootleg copies of movies

Tobacco cigarettes are 10 times more addictive than marijuana. Although I totally don't drink nor smoke. I know this for a fact

About IDP, I would like to inform you that is it legal in Vietnam as long as the IDP from a country which signed the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic on 1968, so IDP from more than 80 countries is legal in Vietnam. You are from the USA so I believe this is the reason you wrong about the IDP issue because IDP from the US is not recognized by Vietnam(USA haven't signed the convention)

Van, great vid & segue to your sponsor SurfShark! 😀 by the way, what model of work chair were you sitting making this vid? I really like the headrest that's built-in.

If Vietnam legalized weed their economy would boom overnight

'South China Sea'? Not the East Vietnam Sea, then? 'Vietnam' war? Mmmm not the American war in Vietnam?

Van, you're supposed to assemble/reassemble the gun, blindfolded. Who is the soldier in your video clip? My dream girl:)

So can you use Facebook, RU-vid, Google , Wikipedia and other western apps in Vietnam without VPN?

New to your channel. Very good content. Missing Vietnam.

I don't think Vietnam has any problem with the control of public opinion. The color revolutions carried out by the United States and the West in the Middle East and Eastern Europe were all carried out under the banner of freedom of speech without exception.

Thank you Van for you extremely informative videos. I am contemplating a visit to VM mid next year so I am finding the information you give very informative As an aside you ask for comment on the US gun laws. I consider them to be very disturbing and wrong. I can't believe you were made to mess with an AK-47 when you were 15 as a requisite to graduating

As a Canadian that has Grown up with Firearms, I so much like your way with Guns, I was a Hunter & Safety always comes first. Military Learning & use is a Must also for your Country, We Canadians Most us any way understand. I like your Drug policy also. Your Home is Just a safe Country where Canada is Failing now.

To me (i am Vietnamese living in Europe), Limited freedom of speech equals NO freedom of speech. There is a famous quote allegedly by Voltaire (although we know today, he never really said it) that says, "I don't agree with what you're saying but I will defend with my life for your right to say it".