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Vietnam’s Immigration Departmen has launched a mandatory pre-arrival registration system for international passengers entering through select airports.
What Is the Vietnam Digital Arrival Card?
The Vietnam Digital Arrival Card is a free, government-issued electronic declaration form that replaces the traditional paper arrival card. Upon completion, passengers receive a QR code which is scanned by immigration officers at the border checkpoint.
This is not a visa. Passengers who require a visa or e-visa must still obtain one separately. The Digital Arrival Card is an additional, mandatory step.
Where Does It Apply?
The system is being rolled out in phases across Vietnam’s major international airports.
- Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) has been mandatory since April 15, 2026.
- Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC) followed on June 1, 2026.
- Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi (HAN) became mandatory on June 10, 2026.
Da Nang International Airport (DAD) is not yet included, but an expansion to cover all entry points including land borders and seaports is widely anticipated. Partners should monitor the official portal for updates and advise customers accordingly.
Who Must Register?
The declaration is required for all foreign nationals who pass through immigration at the airports listed above. This includes travelers on visa exemption. Being exempt from a visa does not exempt you from the Digital Arrival Card requirement.
Vietnamese citizens traveling on a Vietnamese passport are not required to register. Airside transit passengers who do not clear immigration are also exempt.
For passengers connecting from SGN, PQC, or HAN to a domestic destination within Vietnam, only one declaration is needed for the initial international arrival point. No separate form is required for the domestic leg. For families and tour groups, a single form submission can cover multiple travelers, making the process more efficient for group bookings.
What If a Passenger Has Not Registered Before Landing?
QR codes linking to the registration portal are displayed in the arrivals area at all applicable airports, allowing passengers to complete the form on their phone after disembarking. However, doing so adds significant time to the immigration process, particularly during peak hours when queues at SGN can run 30 to 60 minutes or longer even for pre-registered passengers. Vietnamese authorities strongly recommend that all travelers submit the declaration before their flight departs.
Please include a reminder about the Vietnam Digital Arrival Card in all pre-departure communications for passengers flying into SGN, PQC, or HAN. The requirement applies to all foreign nationals regardless of nationality, visa type, or purpose of travel, unless the passenger holds a Vietnamese passport or is in airside transit only.
Sources:
Vietnam Immigration Department: prearrival.immigration.gov.vn
traveloka.com/vi-vn/explore/tips/vietnam-digital-arrival-card/1007396
trip.com/guide/arrival/vietnam-arrival-card.html
