Sending and receiving mail in Vietnam
Vietnamese post, EMS, J&T, GHN, GHTK and the international couriers — how to actually send a parcel home, receive one from abroad, and avoid the customs traps.
Vietnam has a dense, functional postal and courier network. For most everyday needs it works well, but international shipping still involves paperwork, customs delays, and the occasional unexplained fee. This page covers what to use, what to expect, and where foreigners most often go wrong.
The Vietnamese mail and courier landscape
Vietnam Post (Bưu điện Việt Nam) is the state operator and has the widest physical branch network — including in small towns and rural areas where no private courier operates. Its international arm trades as EMS (Express Mail Service) for priority packages.
The private domestic couriers that now dominate e-commerce logistics are:
- J&T Express — fast domestic, competitive prices, strong app
- GHN (Giao Hàng Nhanh) — same-day and next-day in major cities
- GHTK (Giao Hàng Tiết Kiệm) — budget domestic, popular with sellers
- Viettel Post — the postal arm of the state telco, good rural reach
For international shipping in and out, the main players are DHL, FedEx, UPS, and TNT/FedEx. All four have walk-in service points in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and drop-off agents elsewhere.
Domestic — Vietnam Post and the private couriers
For parcels moving within Vietnam, the private couriers are almost always faster and cheaper than Vietnam Post. A standard 1 kg parcel between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi typically costs around 30,000–50,000 VND (approximately $1.20–$2.00 USD, estimate as of early 2026) with J&T or GHN, and arrives the next day to major cities.
Vietnam Post is still worth using when you need a paper trail, are shipping to a remote address, or are sending registered documents. Costs are broadly similar or slightly higher, and delivery time is one to three days domestically.
To send via a private courier, you can drop off at any of their collection points (easily found via their apps) or book a pickup online. Most apps are in Vietnamese, but the booking flows are straightforward once you have a Vietnamese phone number — useful to have for tracking notifications as well.
For money and banking matters, note that couriers do support cash-on-delivery collection, which is heavily used in Vietnamese e-commerce but less relevant for personal shipping.
International outbound — what to use
For sending parcels abroad from Vietnam, you have two realistic choices: EMS (through Vietnam Post) or an international express courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS).
EMS is cheaper — a 1 kg parcel to Europe via EMS costs roughly 400,000–600,000 VND (estimate). Delivery is typically 7–15 working days, sometimes longer. Tracking is functional but patchy once the parcel leaves Vietnam's network.
DHL and FedEx are significantly more expensive — expect 800,000–1,500,000 VND or more for a 1 kg parcel to Europe — but are faster (3–5 working days), have end-to-end tracking, and handle customs documentation more reliably.
For anything high-value or time-sensitive, the premium couriers are worth the extra cost. For books, gifts, or non-urgent personal effects, EMS is adequate.
If you are relocating and need to send a large volume of belongings home, express courier pricing becomes impractical. See shipping quotes and selection for sea freight and air freight options, which are far more cost-effective at volume.
International inbound — how to receive
Receiving international parcels in Vietnam is generally reliable for the major cities. Most parcels from DHL, FedEx, and UPS are delivered door-to-door. EMS inbound parcels are delivered by Vietnam Post carriers and may require you to collect from your local post office if you miss the delivery.
Give senders your full Vietnamese address including district and ward, your phone number, and your name as it appears on your ID. The phone number is critical — couriers almost always call before delivering.
If customs flags a parcel for inspection, Vietnam Post will send you a paper notice (often slipped under your door or left with building reception) directing you to a specific customs clearance office. This is where delays happen.
Customs and duty thresholds
Vietnam applies import duty and VAT to inbound international parcels above a certain value. As of 2026, the general guidance is that parcels with a declared value below approximately 1,000,000 VND (roughly $40 USD) are typically passed through without duties being assessed — but this is not a guaranteed rule, and customs officers have discretion.
Above that threshold, you may be asked to pay import duty (the rate varies by product category) plus 10% VAT. Electronics, clothing, and cosmetics are the categories most commonly flagged.
Verify before acting: customs thresholds and procedures change, and enforcement is inconsistent. If a significant parcel is incoming, check the current rules with the sender's courier or with Vietnam Customs directly before assuming it will clear without duties.
What you can't mail or receive
Vietnam Post and courier terms broadly prohibit:
- Flammable, hazardous, and pressurised substances
- Controlled or prescription medications (receiving these without prior import approval is risky; verify with a licensed customs broker)
- Counterfeit goods
- Certain food items, particularly fresh produce and meat
- Currency above declared limits
On the outbound side, cultural artefacts, antiques, and items that could be classified as national heritage are restricted. Lacquerware, paintings, and handicrafts are generally fine; anything that looks genuinely old may require an export certificate from the Ministry of Culture.
Address conventions
Vietnamese addresses run in a specific order that differs from Western conventions:
House/building number, Street name, Ward (Phường/Xã), District (Quận/Huyện), Province/City
For example: 45 Lê Lợi, Phường Bến Nghé, Quận 1, TP. Hồ Chí MinhHồ Chí Minh (Ho Chi Minh)hoh chee minLargest city in Vietnam, formerly Sài Gòn; the commercial and economic capital of the country in the south.
When writing an address for international senders, transliterate it clearly and include the city and country on the final line. Omitting the ward and district is the most common mistake and can cause local delivery to stall.
For pronunciation help with place names, see Vietnamese addresses and place names.
Tracking that actually works
- DHL, FedEx, UPS — their global tracking portals work reliably for Vietnam
- EMS — track on the Vietnam Post website or the Universal Postal Union's (UPU) tracking portal; updates can be slow
- J&T, GHN, GHTK — their own apps are the most reliable; third-party aggregators sometimes lag
For domestic parcels, most couriers send SMS or Zalo notifications automatically if you provide a Vietnamese number at booking.
Common pitfalls
Underdeclaring value to avoid customs duty carries real risk — if customs inspects and the declared value doesn't match the contents, the parcel can be seized and you may face a fine. Declare accurately.
Fragile items sent via Vietnam Post or budget domestic couriers rarely receive careful handling. Double-box anything breakable and photograph the contents before handing over.
Missing the customs notice is probably the most common reason inbound parcels disappear for weeks. If a parcel from abroad stops moving in tracking, check with your post office before assuming it is lost — it is probably sitting in a customs warehouse waiting for you.
Businesses receiving goods face a separate, more complex import process and will likely need a customs broker. Personal-use thresholds do not apply to commercial shipments.
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