Taxes

Value-Added Tax

Vietnam's V.A.T. tax is 10% on items such as alcohol and cigarettes; 10% for hotels, bars, and nightclubs; and 5% for most other goods and services. Larger hotels, especially state-owned and joint-venture operations, often add another 5% service tax. Ask about added taxes before checking in or ordering.

A new V.A.T. refund program for tourists allows travelers flying out of international airports to be refunded for the V.A.T. value incurred on invoiced purchases of 2,000,000d (about $100) or more made in one shop, within the previous 30 days. You'll need to get a V.A.T. refund form when you're purchasing the items. A service charge of less than 15% of the V.A.T. refund is charged, and certain goods—especially those whose export is prohibited—are ineligible for the refund. Refund counters in the departure area provide travelers who have cleared immigration their refunds in dollars or other currencies.