This Country Still Requires Shoes to Be Removed at Airport Security Checkpoints

Key Takeaways

• Vietnam mandates shoe removal at all airport security checkpoints
• Policy applies to domestic and international flights across major airports
• Legacy scanners force manual shoe inspection, extending queue times
• Upgrading to CT scanners could eliminate the requirement

Pulse Analysis

Vietnam remains one of the few countries where passengers must remove their shoes at every security checkpoint, whether at Hanoi’s Nội Bài, Da Nẵng International, or Ho Chi Minh City’s Tân Sơn Nhất. While many nations have moved to advanced imaging technology that scans footwear without removal, Vietnamese airports still rely on the traditional X‑ray belt and manual inspection. The policy applies to both domestic and international flights and does not differentiate by airline or ticket class, resulting in a uniform passenger experience across the country.

The continued shoe‑removal rule stems largely from legacy security infrastructure and a cautious approach to contraband detection. Older scanners lack the resolution to reliably identify hidden explosives or weapons inside shoes, prompting staff to physically inspect each pair. As a result, travelers face longer queues, especially during peak travel periods, and must allocate extra time for the extra step. The lack of a fast‑track option for most passengers further amplifies congestion, underscoring a gap between Vietnam’s growing air traffic and its security modernization pace.

For airlines and airport operators, the policy represents both a logistical challenge and a branding consideration. Longer processing times can affect on‑time performance metrics and passenger satisfaction scores, which are increasingly tied to airline revenue. Industry observers suggest that adopting newer computed tomography (CT) scanners could eliminate the shoe‑removal requirement, aligning Vietnam with global best practices. In the meantime, travelers are advised to wear easily removable footwear, arrive well ahead of departure, and factor the extra step into their itinerary planning.