The Tuoi Tre newspaper says the eight people, including two women, were convicted of trafficking 189 kilograms (416 pounds) of heroin after a two-week trial by the People's Court in Hoa Binh province that ended Monday.
The newspaper said Tuesday that five defendants in the smuggling ring were sentenced to life in prison while 17 others were jailed for six to 20 years for the same charges.
Vietnam has some of the world's toughest drug laws. Possessing or trafficking 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of heroin is punishable by death.