Vietnam's Luật Di sản văn hóa (Law on Cultural Heritage, No. 45/2024/QH15), in force since 1 July 2025, lists digging for or searching for relics and antiquities among its banned acts, and the only searching it provides for is licensed archaeological work by qualified institutions. Cultural heritage in the ground or under water belongs to the entire people, and relics or antiquities you find whose owner can't be identified must be handed over to the state culture authority. The law doesn't mention metal detectors.
Can I detect in Vietnam?
The short answer for each kind of land. Tap a card for the detail and the rule’s own words.
- Anywhere: national heritage lawResearch permits onlyChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- Beaches & foreshoreResearch permits onlyno beach-specific rule was found in the sources readChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- Protected monumentsResearch permits onlyexploration and excavation sites must be protected (Art. 39(4))Checked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- National parks & nature reservesResearch permits onlyChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- State forestsResearch permits onlyChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- Private landResearch permits onlyChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
Open in many areas without a permitPermit, registration, or designated beaches onlyProhibited or effectively closed
The rules, land by land
Anywhere: national heritage law
Research permits onlyVietnam's Luật Di sản văn hóa (Law on Cultural Heritage, 2024) lists digging for or searching for relics and antiquities among its banned acts, and the only searching it provides for is licensed archaeological exploration and excavation by state research bodies, universities, museums and similar institutions.
- Law No. 45/2024/QH15 has been in force since 1 July 2025; the 2001 Law on Cultural Heritage (28/2001/QH10, amended 2009) lost effect that day, except for approved activities and projects in relic protection zones (Art. 94, 95(1))
- the banned acts include illegally digging at archaeological sites; illegally searching for or salvaging sunken relics, antiquities and national treasures; and digging for or searching for relics and antiquities (Art. 9(6))
- a relic (di vật) is an object handed down with historical, cultural or scientific value; an antiquity (cổ vật) is a relic of typical value that is at least 100 years old (Art. 3(6), 3(7))
- Archaeological exploration and excavation is a scientific activity (art. 3(26)). Ordinary archaeological exploration and excavation require an approved project and a licence from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism under art. 39(2). For emergency underground exploration or excavation where an archaeological place or area is being destroyed or risks destruction, the head of the provincial specialist culture agency issues the licence under art. 39(3).
- only state archaeological research bodies, universities with an archaeology department, museums and organizations managing state relics that have an archaeological research function, and central-level archaeological research associations may explore or excavate (Art. 39(6))
- the person leading the work needs a university degree in archaeology, at least five years of direct archaeological work and the ministry's approval (Art. 39(7))
- the law does not mention metal detectors, and it does not address detecting for modern lost items
What the rule says
“Đào bới trái phép địa điểm khảo cổ; tìm kiếm, trục vớt trái phép di vật, cổ vật, bảo vật quốc gia còn chìm đắm dưới nước; đào bới, tìm kiếm di vật, cổ vật;”
Keeping finds
ProhibitedCultural heritage in the ground or under water anywhere in Vietnam's land, islands, inland waters and sea belongs to the entire people, with the State as the owner's representative. Relics and antiquities you find whose owner can't be identified must be handed over, and the finder is reimbursed, commended and given a cash reward.
- the State represents the owner of, and manages, cultural heritage owned by the entire people (Art. 4(1))
- a found relic or antiquity with no identifiable owner goes to the state culture management agency for the area; the provincial culture agency takes it into a public museum, has it appraised and reports to the Minister, who decides which museum or state body receives it (Art. 45(3)(a)-(b))
- the finder is reimbursed for the costs of discovery and preservation, commended, and given a cash reward as the law provides (Art. 45(3)(c)); the reward amount is set by implementing rules that were not read
- the law also recognizes private ownership of relics and antiquities that a person collects and keeps, or has possessed in good faith, continuously and openly under the Civil Code (Art. 4(3))
- ordinary lost property was not researched
What the rule says
“Di sản văn hóa ở trong lòng đất, dưới nước thuộc đất liền, hải đảo, vùng nước nội địa, vùng biển Việt Nam;”
Reporting finds
Must be reportedFound a relic or antiquity whose owner can't be identified? It must be handed over to the state culture management agency for the area.
- the provincial culture agency receives the find into a public museum, has it appraised and reports to the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Art. 45(3)(a))
- a project owner who finds signs of a relic site or relics during a construction project must suspend work and promptly notify the local state culture management agency (Art. 38(3))
- the law sets no deadline in days for handing over a find
What the rule says
“Di vật, cổ vật được tổ chức, cá nhân phát hiện mà không xác định được chủ sở hữu phải giao nộp cho cơ quan quản lý nhà nước về văn hóa trên địa bàn.”
Beaches & foreshore
Research permits onlyThe shore gets no exception: cultural heritage under water in Vietnam's inland waters and sea belongs to the entire people, illegally searching for or salvaging sunken relics and antiquities is banned, and the national ban on searching for relics and antiquities isn't limited to any type of land.
- the national rule: the Luật Di sản văn hóa (Law on Cultural Heritage, 2024) lists digging for or searching for relics and antiquities among its banned acts (Art. 9(6)), and the only searching it provides for is licensed archaeological exploration and excavation by qualified institutions (Art. 39)
- cultural heritage in the ground or under water in Vietnam's land, islands, inland waters and sea belongs to the entire people (Art. 4(2)(c))
- when underwater cultural heritage is found or reported, the provincial People's Committee must protect the area and stop any activity that endangers it (Art. 39(4))
- no beach-specific rule was found in the sources read
- the law does not mention metal detectors, and it does not address detecting for modern lost items
What the rule says
“tìm kiếm, trục vớt trái phép di vật, cổ vật, bảo vật quốc gia còn chìm đắm dưới nước;”
Protected monuments
Research permits onlyIllegal digging at archaeological sites is a banned act. Licensed exploration and excavation is reserved to qualified institutions, ordinarily through the Minister, with an emergency underground licensing route under art. 39(3).
- the banned acts include illegal digging at archaeological sites and illegal building in relic protection zones, archaeological exploration and excavation areas and sites in archaeological plans (Art. 9(6)), and encroaching on or destroying land with historical-cultural relics or scenic spots (Art. 9(8))
- exploration and excavation sites must be protected (Art. 39(4))
- Ordinary archaeological exploration and excavation require an approved project and a licence from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism under art. 39(2). For emergency underground exploration or excavation where an archaeological place or area is being destroyed or risks destruction, the head of the provincial specialist culture agency issues the licence under art. 39(3).
- the person leading the work needs a university degree in archaeology and at least five years of direct archaeological work (Art. 39(7))
- the national rule: the Luật Di sản văn hóa (Law on Cultural Heritage, 2024) lists digging for or searching for relics and antiquities among its banned acts (Art. 9(6)), and the only searching it provides for is licensed archaeological exploration and excavation by qualified institutions (Art. 39)
- the law does not mention metal detectors, and it does not address detecting for modern lost items
What the rule says
“Cơ quan, tổ chức được thực hiện thăm dò, khai quật khảo cổ gồm cơ quan nghiên cứu khảo cổ học của Nhà nước; cơ sở giáo dục đại học có bộ môn khảo cổ học;”
National parks & nature reserves
Research permits onlyNational parks and nature reserves follow the national rule: digging for or searching for relics and antiquities is a banned act, and the only searching the law provides for is licensed archaeological work by qualified institutions.
- the national rule: the Luật Di sản văn hóa (Law on Cultural Heritage, 2024) lists digging for or searching for relics and antiquities among its banned acts (Art. 9(6)), and the only searching it provides for is licensed archaeological exploration and excavation by qualified institutions (Art. 39)
- no park- or reserve-specific rule was found in the sources read; nature conservation and forestry legislation was not read
- the law does not mention metal detectors, and it does not address detecting for modern lost items
What the rule says
“Đào bới trái phép địa điểm khảo cổ; tìm kiếm, trục vớt trái phép di vật, cổ vật, bảo vật quốc gia còn chìm đắm dưới nước; đào bới, tìm kiếm di vật, cổ vật;”
State forests
Research permits onlyState forests follow the national rule: digging for or searching for relics and antiquities is a banned act, and the only searching the law provides for is licensed archaeological work by qualified institutions.
- the national rule: the Luật Di sản văn hóa (Law on Cultural Heritage, 2024) lists digging for or searching for relics and antiquities among its banned acts (Art. 9(6)), and the only searching it provides for is licensed archaeological exploration and excavation by qualified institutions (Art. 39)
- no forest-specific rule was found in the sources read; forestry legislation was not read
- the law does not mention metal detectors, and it does not address detecting for modern lost items
What the rule says
“Đào bới trái phép địa điểm khảo cổ; tìm kiếm, trục vớt trái phép di vật, cổ vật, bảo vật quốc gia còn chìm đắm dưới nước; đào bới, tìm kiếm di vật, cổ vật;”
Private land
Research permits onlyPrivate land follows the national rule too: the ban on digging for or searching for relics and antiquities isn't tied to who owns the land, and cultural heritage in the ground belongs to the entire people.
- the national rule: the Luật Di sản văn hóa (Law on Cultural Heritage, 2024) lists digging for or searching for relics and antiquities among its banned acts (Art. 9(6)), and the only searching it provides for is licensed archaeological exploration and excavation by qualified institutions (Art. 39)
- the ownership rule for cultural heritage in the ground and under water names no exception for privately held land (Art. 4(2)(c))
- relics and antiquities found with no identifiable owner must be handed over to the state culture agency (Art. 45(3)(a))
- the law does not mention metal detectors, and it does not address detecting for modern lost items
What the rule says
“Di sản văn hóa ở trong lòng đất, dưới nước thuộc đất liền, hải đảo, vùng nước nội địa, vùng biển Việt Nam;”
Even where detecting is allowed, archaeological and historic sites are protected, and you must fill every hole and follow posted rules. Always confirm the current rule with the land manager.
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Searching for relics and antiquities is a banned act
Article 9 of the Luật Di sản văn hóa (Law on Cultural Heritage, No. 45/2024/QH15) lists the acts it strictly prohibits. One clause covers illegal digging at archaeological sites, illegally searching for or salvaging sunken relics, antiquities and national treasures, and digging for or searching for relics and antiquities. A relic (di vật) is an object handed down with historical, cultural or scientific value; an antiquity (cổ vật) is a relic of typical value that's at least 100 years old.
The licensed research framework covers archaeological exploration and excavation as a scientific activity. Ordinary archaeological exploration and excavation require an approved project and a licence from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism under art. 39(2). For emergency underground exploration or excavation where an archaeological place or area is being destroyed or risks destruction, the head of the provincial specialist culture agency issues the licence under art. 39(3). Only state archaeological research bodies, universities with an archaeology department, museums and organizations managing state relics that have an archaeological research function, and central-level archaeological research associations may do it, led by someone with a university degree in archaeology and at least five years of direct archaeological work. The law doesn't mention metal detectors, and it doesn't address sweeping for modern lost items.
The 2024 law has been in force since 1 July 2025. It replaced the 2001 Law on Cultural Heritage, which lost effect that day except for approved activities and projects in relic protection zones.
Beaches, parks and private land
The ban isn't tied to any type of land. Cultural heritage in the ground or under water in Vietnam's land, islands, inland waters and sea belongs to the entire people, with no exception for privately held land, and when underwater heritage turns up, the provincial People's Committee must protect the area. We found no separate rule for beaches, forests, parks or private land, though we didn't read forestry or nature conservation law.
Finds and reporting
Relics and antiquities found with no identifiable owner must be handed over to the state culture management agency for the area. The provincial culture agency takes them into a public museum, has them appraised and reports to the Minister, who decides which museum or state body receives them. The finder is reimbursed for the costs of discovery and preservation, commended and given a cash reward as the law provides; we didn't read the rules that set the amount.
Project owners or investors who find signs of relics during a construction project must suspend work and promptly notify the local state culture agency. The law sets no deadline in days for handing over a find.
Sources
Official and statutory sources this page is based on (source check: October 8, 2026):
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Is metal detecting legal in Vietnam?
- Not for hunting history. Digging for or searching for relics and antiquities is on the law's list of banned acts, and the only lawful search is licensed archaeological work by qualified institutions. The law doesn't mention metal detectors or address modern lost items.
- Can I keep what I find in Vietnam?
- Not a relic or antiquity with no identifiable owner: it must be handed over to the state culture agency, and you're reimbursed, commended and given a cash reward. Cultural heritage in the ground or under water belongs to the entire people.
- Which law applies?
- The Law on Cultural Heritage, No. 45/2024/QH15, in force since 1 July 2025. It replaced the 2001 law.
- Can I metal detect on Vietnamese beaches?
- We found no beach rule of its own, and the ban on digging for or searching for relics and antiquities isn't limited to any type of land. Illegally searching for or salvaging sunken relics and antiquities is banned too.
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