Since April 15, 2026, most foreign travelers arriving at Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport must submit a pre-arrival declaration online and carry a QR code through immigration.
It’s a short, free form. But it’s now a required step before you reach the counter, and missing it can slow down your arrival.
If you’re flying to Vietnam soon, here’s everything you need to know.
What Is the Vietnam Digital Arrival Card?
The Vietnam Digital Arrival Card is an online declaration introduced by the Vietnam Immigration Department. It collects your passport, flight, and accommodation details before you arrive, then generates a QR code that immigration officers scan on arrival.
The form is free and hosted on the official government portal:prearrival.immigration.gov.vn.
It took effect on April 15, 2026 and applies to most foreign arrivals at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City.
Important: The Digital Arrival Card does not replace your visa. If you need a Vietnam e-visa, visa exemption certificate, or any other entry permit, you still have to obtain it separately. The arrival card is an immigration declaration, not a visa.
Who Needs to Complete It (and Who Doesn’t)
The requirement covers most international travelers but exempts a few groups.
| Who it applies to | Who is exempt |
| Foreign nationals entering Vietnam, including visa-required travelers | Vietnamese citizens traveling on a Vietnamese passport |
| Visa-exempt travelers (citizens of countries with bilateral or unilateral exemptions) | Transit passengers who do not pass through immigration |
| Overseas Vietnamese entering on a foreign passport with a valid visa |
If you are clearing immigration in Vietnam, you need the card. If your flight is a through-transit and you never step out of the sterile area, you don’t.
Which Airports Currently Require It
Right now, the Digital Arrival Card is only mandatory for arrivals at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City. Other major gateways are not yet covered:
- Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi, not currently required
- Da Nang International Airport (DAD), not currently required
- Other international ports of entry, not currently required
That said, the official portal already includes fields for land and sea entry points, and for provinces outside Ho Chi Minh City. That strongly suggests a nationwide rollout is planned, though Vietnamese authorities have not yet announced a specific timeline.
If you’re flying into HAN or DAD, check for updates before you travel.
When to Submit: The 72-Hour Window
The portal won’t let you submit too early. You can only complete the form within 72 hours of your scheduled arrival.
For example, if you land in Ho Chi Minh City on April 25, the earliest you can submit the form is just after midnight on April 23.
Vietnamese authorities strongly recommend completing the declaration before you fly. Submitting it on arrival is possible, and QR codes linking to the form are displayed in the immigration arrival area at SGN, but it may add to your processing time, and you’ll be doing it in a queue after a long flight.
Pro Tip: Treat the Digital Arrival Card like online check-in. Do it the night before your flight, save the QR code to your phone, and print a backup copy in case your device runs out of battery.
How to Complete the Vietnam Digital Arrival Card (Step by Step)
The form is a four-step process on the official portal. It takes less than five minutes if you have your details ready.
Step 1: Passenger Information
The first screen collects your personal and passport details, plus information about your entry document.
Required fields include:
- Expected arrival date (within the next 72 hours)
- Passport image upload (optional, helps pre-fill certain fields)
- Passport number, expiry date, and place of issue
- Full name, gender, date of birth, and nationality
- Phone number and email address
- Type of entry document (e-visa, Visa Exemption Certificate, ABTC Card, Temporary Residence Card, Permanent Residence Card, or default visa exemption by country)
- Visa or entry document number, issue date, expiration date, and place of issue
Step 2: Travel Information
The second screen covers your trip and where you’ll be staying.
Required fields include:
- Country of departure
- Purpose of travel (tourism, business, study, work, or other)
- Mode of transport (air, land, or sea)
- Flight number, or vehicle identification number for land or sea arrivals
- Point of entry in Vietnam
- Accommodation type (hotel, private residence, or other)
- Province, district, and full accommodation address
- Workplace information, where applicable
- Planned departure date from Vietnam
Step 3: Review and OTP Verification
Before submitting, you’ll see a summary of everything you’ve entered. Review it carefully. Inaccurate details can slow down clearance at the airport.
Once you confirm, the system sends a six-digit OTP code to the email address you provided. Enter the code to validate your declaration.
Step 4: QR Code Confirmation
After validation, the portal assigns a file number and generates a downloadable confirmation bearing your QR code. Save the confirmation to your phone, and print a backup copy if you can.
On arrival, you’ll show the QR code to the immigration officer, who scans it to pull up your declaration.
The detailed instructions in the video: HERE
Digital Arrival Card vs. Vietnam E-Visa: They Are Separate
A lot of travelers assume the Digital Arrival Card replaces the e-visa. It does not. The two are separate requirements, and most foreign travelers need both.
| Digital Arrival Card | Vietnam E-Visa |
| An immigration declaration before entry | Your actual entry permit into Vietnam |
| Free | Fee-based (US$25 single entry, US$50 multiple entry) |
| Complete within 72 hours of arrival | Apply well before your trip |
| Required for most foreign arrivals at SGN | Required for travelers from non-exempt countries |
| Submitted at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn | Issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department |
Think of it this way: the e-visa is the permission to enter, and the Digital Arrival Card is the form you fill in so immigration knows you’re coming. Both are issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department. Both need to be sorted before you land.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A few things trip travelers up when they’re new to the system:
- Submitting the form too early, since the portal blocks arrival dates more than 72 hours ahead
- Entering passport details that don’t exactly match the passport (small typos in names or numbers cause processing delays)
- Confusing the Digital Arrival Card with a visa application, or assuming one replaces the other
- Skipping it and planning to do it at the airport. Legal, but slower
- Not saving the QR code offline in case of no internet or a dead battery
- Using an email address you can’t access at the airport, in case the OTP step fails on arrival
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Vietnam Digital Arrival Card free?
Yes. The official government form at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn is free of charge.
Do I still need a Vietnam e-visa if I complete the Digital Arrival Card?
Yes. The two are separate. The arrival card is an immigration declaration; the e-visa is the entry permit issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department. Most foreign travelers need both.
What happens if I don’t complete the form before arrival?
You can still complete it at SGN using QR codes displayed in the immigration arrival area, but processing may take longer. Authorities strongly recommend submitting it before you fly.
Does this requirement apply to visa-exempt travelers?
Yes. Even if you don’t need a visa to enter Vietnam, you still have to submit the Digital Arrival Card if you’re arriving at SGN.
Can I complete one form for a group of travelers?
A single form can be submitted covering a group of travelers, which is useful for families and tour groups.
What if my flight lands at Hanoi or Da Nang?
The requirement currently applies only to arrivals at Tan Son Nhat (SGN). It is not yet required at Noi Bai (HAN), Da Nang (DAD), or other international entry points, though the system is expected to expand. Check for updates before flying.
What if I lose my QR code or can’t access my confirmation email?
Save a screenshot and a printed backup. If you lose everything, immigration officers can still look up your declaration by your file number or passport details, but it will take longer.
Final Thoughts
Vietnam’s Digital Arrival Card is a small but important part of the arrival process in Ho Chi Minh City. It takes only a few minutes to complete, but it helps make your entry smoother.
As Vietnam’s border process becomes more digital, accuracy matters more than ever. Your passport, arrival declaration, and visa details need to match, and even small mistakes can cause delays.
That is why it helps to prepare your Vietnam e-visa carefully. evisas vietnam supports travelers with application review and guidance before submission to help reduce common errors. All final visa decisions are issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department.
