Vietnam Now Requires a Digital Arrival Card — Here's What to Know
Vietnam has quietly introduced a new step for international arrivals. Since April 15, 2026, foreign travellers entering the country are required to submit a digital arrival card before reaching border control. The system is live, it's mandatory, and if you're travelling to Vietnam soon, it's worth sorting before you board.
Vietnam Now Requires foreign nationals regardless of whether they need a visa — and also to overseas Vietnamese entering on a visa. Vietnamese citizens travelling on a Vietnamese passport are not affected, nor are transit passengers who don't pass through immigration.
How It Works
The declaration is completed online at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn. Once submitted and approved, the system generates a QR code that you show to immigration officers on arrival. Straightforward enough — but there's a timing detail worth paying attention to.
The form only allows you to select an arrival date within the next 72 hours. This isn't something you complete weeks out when you're booking flights. It's a pre-departure step, closer to online check-in than a visa application. Build it into your routine in the day or two before you travel.
The form itself runs through four stages. First, personal and passport details — name, date of birth, nationality, passport number and expiry, plus visa information if applicable. Second, travel details — where you're departing from, purpose of visit, how you're arriving (air, land, or sea), flight or vehicle number, point of entry, and accommodation address. Third, a review step where you confirm your email and enter a six-digit OTP code sent to your inbox. Fourth, a confirmation page with a file number and a downloadable QR code to keep handy.
The authorities are clear on one point: incomplete or inaccurate information will slow things down at the border. If you skip the declaration entirely, expect a longer wait on arrival.
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Where It Applies
Communications have been official about Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, the current focus of the rollout. Tan Son Nhat is also the current focus of the official communications and, as per the portal, seems to provide an even greater narrative than the rollout. The portal has air, land, and sea arrivals, and a point-of-entry field, not limited to Ho Chi Minh City. Formally, a wider rollout has not been mentioned, but the infrastructure is in place for it.
For the time being, the requirement is in effect if you are entering through Tan Son Nhat. If you are entering Vietnam through a different location, it is still advisable to complete the declaration. While the system is not in that direction as of yet, it certainly appears to be heading in that direction.
The Practical Bit
This isn't complicated, but it is easy to forget in the middle of travel prep. The best approach is simple: complete the form within 72 hours of departure, download the QR code, and have it accessible when you land. Airlines and travel agencies are being asked to flag the requirement to passengers before departure, but don't rely on that reminder arriving.
Vietnam joins a growing list of Asian destinations — India, China, South Korea, Indonesia among them — that have moved part of their entry process online. The direction of travel is clear. A few minutes on the portal before your flight is now part of arriving in Vietnam.
Then Vietnam Now Requires You to Enjoy your stay!
