Heading to Vietnam? Now You Must Fill Out a Digital Arrival Card Starting April 2026

Vietnam is set to implement a new digital arrival card system for international travelers and overseas Vietnamese, commencing April 15, 2026. This move signifies a step towards modernizing the country's border control processes and enhancing the overall travel experience for visitors. The primary goal is to streamline immigration procedures, reduce congestion at airports, and improve efficiency, especially in high-traffic areas like Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.

The digital arrival card will be mandatory for all foreign nationals and Vietnamese citizens residing abroad entering the country, provided they are traveling on a visa. This requirement, however, does not extend to Vietnamese passport holders or transit passengers who do not undergo immigration checks. The system is designed to be user-friendly, allowing travelers to complete the form online at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn within a 72-hour window before their flight. Upon submission, a QR code will be issued via email, which must be presented to immigration officers upon arrival.

While travelers who fail to complete the digital card will still be permitted entry, their immigration process may take longer. Airlines and travel agents are encouraged to remind passengers of this new requirement to ensure a smoother transition. This digital initiative aligns with a global trend towards digitized border management, with several Southeast Asian nations, including Indonesia, Thailand, and Laos, already adopting similar systems to create faster, more practical, and paperless entry processes. This policy is expected to not only benefit travelers but also enhance border security through pre-screening of passenger data.