Travellers heading to Ho Chi Minh City will now have to complete a new mandatory Digital Arrival Card before landing, as Vietnam has introduced the system for all international passengers arriving at Tan Son Nhat International Airport from April 15, 2026. This new requirement replaces the earlier paper-based arrival forms that were filled out at immigration counters, aiming to reduce queues and speed up processing at the country’s busiest international airport.
The Digital Arrival Card must be submitted online through Vietnam’s official immigration portal before travel. It collects key details such as passport information, visa or entry permit data, flight details, arrival time, and accommodation address in Vietnam. Once the form is successfully submitted, a QR code is generated, which passengers are required to present to immigration officers upon arrival.
The process is free of cost and can be completed up to 72 hours before departure. While the system can technically be accessed at the airport using QR codes, authorities strongly recommend completing it in advance, as last-minute submissions are likely to result in longer waiting times at immigration.
The requirement applies to all foreign passport holders, including visa holders, visa-exempt travellers, and overseas Vietnamese entering on foreign passports with valid visas. However, it does not apply to Vietnamese citizens travelling on Vietnamese passports or passengers who are only transiting through the airport without clearing immigration.
For Indian travellers, this new step comes in addition to the existing e-visa requirement. Both processes are separate and must be completed before travel. The e-visa remains mandatory for entry into Vietnam, while the Digital Arrival Card is an extra immigration declaration specifically required for arrivals at Ho Chi Minh City.
At present, the system is being implemented as a pilot only at Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Authorities have indicated that if the rollout is successful, it may later be expanded to other major airports such as Hanoi and Da Nang, though there is no requirement yet for passengers arriving at those locations.
Recent Random Post:
