⚡ Customs Quick Tip
Red or Green Channel at Vietnamese Customs?
⚡ Quick Answer
Green if you are inside every allowance. Red if you are over any of them. Walking green is itself a declaration that you have nothing to declare — which is why getting it wrong costs more than the duty would have.
| Go red if you have | Over |
|---|---|
| Foreign currency, cash | US$5,000 |
| Vietnamese dong, cash | 15 million VND |
| Gold | 300g, worn or packed |
| Alcohol / tobacco | the duty-free allowance |
| Goods and gifts | 10 million VND (~$400) |
Controlled medication goes red regardless of quantity.
✅ Declaring cash does not cost you money. The threshold is a reporting rule, not a tax. What costs money is being found with undeclared cash above it.
⚠️ Random X-ray on the green channel is normal. Bags get selected and scanned every day, and it is not an accusation. It only matters if the scan shows something the green channel says you do not have.
Customs is the last step. Immigration comes first, and it can run three hours.
See Fast Track →What if I am not sure?
Go red. Declaring when you did not need to costs a few minutes; not declaring when you should have costs considerably more.
Is customs before or after passport control?
After. Immigration, then baggage reclaim, then the channels, then the door — so you have your bags when you choose.
Does the gold limit include my jewellery?
It covers gold you bring in, worn or packed. Ordinary personal jewellery is nowhere near 300g, so it rarely affects tourists.
As of 14 September 2026.
