Vietnam Implements Digital Arrival Declaration at Tan Son Nhat Airport

HO CHI MINH CITY — Effective April 15, 2026, Vietnam has launched a mandatory digital pre-arrival declaration system for all foreign nationals entering the country through Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN).

The initiative, introduced by the Vietnam Immigration Department, is a pilot program aimed at modernizing border control and reducing manual data entry at immigration counters. Travelers are strongly advised to complete the form before departure to avoid significant delays during the transition period, which is expected to last through at least the end of April 2026.

Vietnam implements digital arrival declaration at Tan Son Nhat Airport – mandatory pre-arrival form for foreign nationals.

Core Requirements for Travelers

The new system replaces the traditional paper arrival cards and focuses on electronic data collection.

• Who Must Comply: Most foreign passport holders, including those with e-visas, visa exemptions, or paper visas, and overseas Vietnamese entering on foreign passports.

  
  

• Exemptions: Vietnamese citizens and transit passengers who stay airside (do not clear immigration).

  
  

• The Window: Declarations can only be submitted within 72 hours (3 days) of the scheduled arrival. The portal will not accept earlier submissions.

  
  
  
  

• The Output: Upon successful submission, travelers receive a unique QR code. This code must be presented (digitally or printed) to immigration officers upon arrival.

  
  
  
  

Step-by-Step Declaration Process

The form is hosted on the official government portal: prearrival.immigration.gov.vn.

1. Personal Data: Enter passport details exactly as they appear (name, DOB, nationality).

   
   

2. Visa Information: Input your visa type and number (e.g., e-visa or Temporary Residence Card).

   
   

3. Travel Details: Provide flight number, departure location, and a specific address in Vietnam (hotel or residence).

   
   

4. Health Declaration: Complete a self-declaration section.

   
   

5. OTP Verification: Confirm the submission via a code sent to your email.

   
   

Impact and Future Expansion

While the government has framed the program as a way to "streamline clearance," international observers note that the system also enables large-scale data collection for security monitoring.

Wait Times and Logistics:

• Delays: Processing times may fluctuate as airport staff and passengers adjust to the digital workflow.

  
  

• Boarding: Some airlines have already been instructed to verify the QR code at check-in before boarding flights to Ho Chi Minh City.

  
  

• Connectivity: Travelers are urged to screenshot or print their QR code before landing, as terminal Wi-Fi or mobile signals may be unreliable.

  
  

Regional Rollout: Although currently limited to Tan Son Nhat (Vietnam’s busiest gateway), authorities have indicated that the system will likely expand to Hanoi (Noi Bai) and Da Nang airports later in 2026 once the pilot phase is finalized.

For more updates on Vietnam's entry requirements and regional travel alerts, visit Our News section