Heroin remains the most commonly used illicit drug in Viet Nam, followed by opium and cannabis. Methamphetamine, both in pill and crystalline form, along with ecstasy and ketamine, were all seen as being equal in severity in the hierarchy of illicit drug use in Viet Nam in 2008 and, accordingly, were co-ranked fourth. Ketamine was first recorded as a drug of concern per se in 2008. However, since 2006, forensic information following analysis of pills marketed as ‘ecstasy’ has shown that these contained varying levels of ketamine (UNODC, 2007).

Crystalline methamphetamine use was reported in Viet Nam for the first time in 2008, with an increasing trend. An increase in use in 2008 was also reported for methamphetamine pills, ecstasy and heroin, continuing a consistent trend of increase since 2003 for all of these drugs. Opium use was reported to be stable in 2008 and cannabis use was on the decline.

According to official reports, Viet Nam had 173,000 registered drug users in 2008, a 2.6% decrease from the previous year (SODC, 2009a). Heroin accounted for 81% of the registered drug users, opium for 11%, methamphetamine for 4%, cannabis for 1%, and other psychotropic substances for 3%. A preponderance of these were male (96%).

Illicit drug use has been identified as being particularly prominent among workers in the construction, mining, and transport sector, while ATS use is reported as a relatively new phenomenon among urban youth. Following increased police suppression and monitoring of entertainment venues, ATS use is reported to have moved increasingly into private residences and remote settings in recent years.