Tax refund at Vietnam airport: frequently asked questions

Value Added Tax (VAT) refund service is applicable to all foreigners using valid passports, not issued by competent Vietnamese State agencies. If you enter and exit Vietnam and are not a member of the flight crews on flights from Vietnam to abroad, you will be entitled to a tax refund at Vietnam airport.

Tax refund at Vietnam airport: frequently asked questions – Image: Pxhere

How to get a tax refund at Vietnam airport?

In order to receive a tax refund, passengers must buy goods at business establishments conducting a pilot sale of VAT refund goods in Vietnam and bring such goods with them when leaving the country.

What types of goods are eligible for tax refund?

• Belonging to the group subject to VAT, have not been used and are allowed to be brought on board in accordance with the law on aviation safety;
• Goods not on the List of goods banned from export or the List of goods restricted from export;
• There are invoices cum tax refund declarations issued within 60 days before exit procedures;
• The value of goods stated on the invoice cum tax refund declaration purchased at 1 store in 1 day (including adding multiple purchase invoices in the same day at 1 store) is at least 2 million VND or more.

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What documents do you need to get a tax refund at Vietnam airport?

1. In case VAT refunded goods are placed in checked baggage

Passengers present goods and related documents as follows for customs inspection:

• Goods with VAT refund;
• Passport (original);
• Invoice cum tax refund declaration certified by a qualified business establishment and stamped with the customs authority’s “Agreement for tax refund” stamp (original).

Note: Passengers who need a tax refund must check-in early to promptly complete the procedures at the tax refund counter (near departure gate 8-9).

2. In case VAT refunded goods are placed in hand luggage

After completing the check-in procedure, passengers bring the following goods and documents to the counter to the tax refund counter for customs inspection and tax refund procedures:

• Goods with VAT refund;
• Passport (original);
• Boarding pass;
• Invoice cum tax refund declaration certified by a qualified business establishment and stamped with the customs authority’s “Agreement for tax refund” stamp (original).

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How much will I get and when will I receive the VAT refund?

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Passengers will receive an amount of refund as 85% of the total amount of VAT amount noted in the invoice, as well as stated in the VAT refund declaration form.

The other amount of 15% is charged as a refunding fee for the bank. In genereal, you uiwll be able to receive the refund immediately right after you finish the VAT refund procedure.

Where can I purchase goods that are applicable for a VAT refund at Vietnam airports?

Apparently you can shop at most of the shopping malls in HCM city such as Parkson, Diamond Plaza, Vincom,  Takashimaya, Gigamall, Crescent Mall…

Lastly, make sure you give yourself enough time to sort out the claim and check-in before departure. With this article about tax refund in Vietnam airport, we are able to provide some important information about VAT refunds. Wish you have a nice trip, wherever you are heading to!

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