Tax-free shopping in Vietnam

Yes. Visitors who don't live in Vietnam can get back about 6.3–7.7% of the price on purchases of at least ₫2,000,000 by claiming the VAT refund before they leave.

VAT

10%

Minimum spend

₫2,000,000

Net refund

6.3–7.7%

Refund at till

No

Minimum basis: Per store, same day (invoices from the same store on the same day can be added up)

Who can claim

• You leave Vietnam on a foreign passport or foreign travel document (overseas Vietnamese included).
• You are not crew on the flight or ship you leave on.

How to get the money back

1. Shop at a store registered for VAT refund and spend at least VND 2 million there that day.
2. Show your passport; the store issues an electronic VAT refund invoice-declaration.
3. At a VAT refund border gate, show the goods and invoices to customs at least 30 minutes before departure.
4. After passport control, collect the refund at the agent bank counter in the departure area.

Where to validate: At the customs VAT refund desk at a designated international airport or seaport (e.g. Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat, Da Nang), before check-in.

Deadline: Invoices must be dated no more than 60 days before your departure.

Paid out as: Cash at the bank counter; Bank transfer or card

Not refundable

• Goods banned from export or from aircraft
• Goods not carried out with you
• Services

Worth knowing

• Most goods carry 8% VAT until 31 Dec 2026, so expect about 6.3% of the price back (85% of the VAT).
• Leave extra time; customs must check goods at least 30 minutes before departure.

Estimate your refund for Vietnam

Sources

• Circular 84/2026/TT-BTC on VAT refunds for foreigners (LuatVietnam)
• Vietnam Law Magazine: electronic VAT refund process standardised
• Viet Nam News: new circular on VAT refund for foreigners
• Vietnam Briefing: 2% VAT reduction until end of 2026
• Trip.com: Vietnam tax refund 2026

Rules last checked 24 September 2026. Refund operators and customs can change procedures at short notice; confirm at the store before you buy.