Prosthetic materials have been increasingly used in both open and endoscopic h~mia repair. The most commonly performed inguinal hernia repair today is the Lichtenstein repair and total extraperitoneal (TEP) repair is the most preferred technique in laparoscopic surgery. Objective: To determine postoperative pain and complications of both open and laparoscopic procedures for treatment of inguinal hemia. Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in Can Tho Central General Hospital and Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital between July 2011 and March 2012. Results: Of the 56 patients performed, 30 patients underwent laparoscopic surgery and 26 patients underwent open repair (including 3 patients converted from laparoscopic surgery). Mean. age of open and laparoscopic groups were 52 years and 56 years, respectively. Mean operating time of open repair and TEP procedure were 102 minutes and 85 minutes, respectively. At 24 hours, less postoperative pain was found in both groups. However, at 48 hours much less postoperative pain was recorded in laparoscopic group. Postoperative pain was not significantly different between the 2 groups. Three cases (10 percent) with scrotal fluid collection were recorded in laparoscopic group and five cases with prolonged postoperative pain were recorded in open hernia repair group. Conclusion: The postoperative pain was not significantly different between open hernia repair and laparoscopic surgery. The scrotal fluid collection is more common in laparoscopic group. Prolonged postoperative pain is only recorded in open repair group.