Vietnam introduces digital arrival card at Ho Chi Minh City airport

Vietnam has introduced a mandatory online pre-arrival declaration for travelers entering through Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. The measure took effect on April 15, 2026, under Official Letter No. 1474/CACK-TSN, and is part of a pilot program to speed up immigration processing at the country's busiest international gateway.

Who needs the Vietnam digital arrival card?

The new requirement applies to foreign nationals entering Vietnam through Tan Son Nhat International Airport and to overseas Vietnamese entering Vietnam with a visa. Vietnamese passport holders and passengers who are only transiting without entering Vietnam are not covered by the rule, according to public notices cited by official and local sources.

For travelers, the most important point is that the declaration is an extra immigration step. It does not replace a visa, e-visa, visa exemption, temporary residence card, or any other entry document that may apply to your nationality.

How the pre-arrival declaration works

Travelers should complete the form online before reaching immigration. The official portal is prearrival.immigration.gov.vn. After a successful submission, the system generates a QR code.

Keep that QR code available on your phone and consider saving an offline screenshot or PDF before boarding. On arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, passengers may be asked to show the QR code to immigration officers as part of the entry clearance process.

What happens if you arrive without it?

Vietnamese authorities and consular notices indicate that travelers who do not complete the declaration in advance may face longer processing times at immigration. The current guidance is to complete the process before departure where possible, especially if you are arriving during busy evening or weekend periods.

Where does the rule apply?

As of April 30, 2026, the requirement is being reported for arrivals at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. There is no confirmed nationwide rollout date for other Vietnamese airports or land borders. Travelers entering via Hanoi, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, or land crossings should still check their airline and the official immigration portal before departure, because digital border procedures can change quickly.

Practical checklist before flying to Vietnam

• Check whether your Vietnam visa, e-visa, or visa exemption is valid for your passport and itinerary.
• Complete the pre-arrival declaration on the official portal if you are entering through Ho Chi Minh City.
• Save the QR confirmation offline and keep it with your passport and visa documents.
• Make sure your submitted details match your passport and travel documents.
• Allow extra time at immigration while the new process beds in.

Why Vietnam is making the change

The digital arrival card is intended to modernize immigration management, reduce congestion, and shorten inspection times during peak arrival periods. Vietnam is not alone in moving arrival paperwork online: several Asian destinations have introduced digital arrival or pre-arrival declarations in recent years.

For most visitors, the change should be manageable as long as it is treated as part of the normal pre-flight checklist. The safest approach is simple: complete the form before you fly, save the QR code, and keep your regular visa documents ready.