According to WHO, Vietnam is among the top 15 countries that smoke the most. In 2012, the government imposed a law on public smoking.
Where are the places where public smoking is completely banned?
In Vietnam’s regulation on public smoking, several places listed where smoking is completely banned are hospitals, schools, institutes, places with children, places that bear a high risk of burning, and workplaces. You are also not allowed to smoke in a car, train, or plane.
As travelers, what you should pay attention to is whenever you enter a public area such as museums, parks, playgrounds, markets, etc. you should not have a cigarette light up in your hand.
The sign says no smoking on the hospital ground
What are the penalties for violating smoking regulations?
The legal age of smoking in Vietnam is 18. If you violate Vietnam’s regulation on public smoking, you will receive warnings and/or you will have to pay a fine of VND 100,000 to 300,000.
This range of fines also covers the behavior of littering the residue of cigarettes.
Summary of Vietnam’s Regulations on Public Smoking
In short, you should not have your cigarette light up in public places, even in a car. Or else, you will get fined. You will also get fined for leaving cigarette residue in an inappropriate place. Although Vietnam’s regulation on public smoking is not seriously enforced, we all should act in alignment with the law for the sake of our health. Read more on the legal age in Vietnam.