Perception toward substance use and misuse among young people in Vietnam

•Nearly 30% believed passive smoking was not harmful for health.•Nearly 40% agreed to drink alcohol if being invited.•Approximately 34% though that using drug 1–2 times could not cause addiction.•Older people perceived more correctly about smoking/alcohol use in comparison with younger counterparts.•Females were more likely to obtained higher scores in the perception of smoking/alcohol use ccompared to males.