If you’re travelling to Vietnam in 2026, you may need to complete the new Vietnam Pre-Arrival Declaration before your flight.
This new online system allows travellers to submit their arrival information before landing and generates a QR code that can be presented on arrival if requested.
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The Pre-Arrival Declaration is not the same as a visa and does not replace Vietnam’s eVisa requirements. Instead, it is an additional immigration process being introduced at selected airports.
Here’s everything you need to know before you travel.
What is the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Declaration?
The Vietnam Pre-Arrival Declaration is an online form that collects your travel and passport details before you arrive in Vietnam. After completing the declaration, you’ll receive a QR code that may be requested by airline staff or immigration officers. The aim is to speed up immigration processing and reduce paperwork on arrival.
The Vietnamese Immigration Department refers to this as the Pre-Arrival Information (PAI) System, although many travellers simply call it the Digital Arrival Card.
Does the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Declaration Replace a Visa?
No. If your nationality requires a visa or eVisa, you must still obtain one before travelling.
Think of the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Declaration as an additional step, similar to other countries that ask travellers to submit arrival information online before flying.
Is the Pre-Arrival Declaration the Same as the Arrival Card?
When we visited Vietnam by cruise ship in 2025, we were given a traditional paper landing card to complete before arriving at immigration. At present, the new Digital Pre-Arrival Declaration is being introduced for selected airport arrivals. If you’re arriving by cruise ship, follow the instructions provided by your cruise line and Vietnamese immigration officials, as procedures may differ from those used at airports.
Learn more about the Vietnam landing card in my guide.
Differences between the Pre-Arrival Declaration and the Arrival Card
| Paper Landing Card | Digital Pre-Arrival Declaration |
|---|---|
| Paper form | Online form |
| Filled in by hand | Completed online before travel |
| Given on many flights and some cruise ships | Submitted before flying |
| Handed to immigration | QR code shown if requested |
| Still used in some situations | Currently available at selected airports |
Which Airports in Vietnam Currently Require It?
At the time of writing, the online Pre-Arrival Declaration is available for travellers arriving into:
- Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat Airport)
- Hanoi (Noi Bai Airport)
- Phu Quoc International Airport
- Da Nang International Airport
The Vietnamese government may expand the system to additional airports in the future, so it’s always worth checking before you travel.
If you plan to fly into Vietnam and you have a disability, I put together a guide where I have linked out to special assistance departments for as many airports as I could find in Vietnam.
How Do You Complete the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Declaration?
The process is straightforward.
- Visit the official government website.
- Enter your passport details.
- Add your flight information.
- Provide your accommodation details.
- Submit the declaration.
- Save your QR code on your phone or print a copy.
The declaration is free to complete on the official government website.
Official Vietnam Pre-Arrival Declaration Website
Always use the official government website to complete your declaration.
Complete the form on the official Vietnam Immigration Department website:
Avoid third-party websites that charge unnecessary service fees for submitting the same information.
Do Children Need Their Own Declaration?
Children also need their own Vietnam Pre-Arrival Declaration, but thankfully the online form make this easy as you can simply add family members to your form.
I found this video quite useful in visualising the form. They point out where families can add other people to their form to save time completing each persons information one-by-one.
Do I Still Need an eVisa?
Yes, if your nationality requires one.
The Pre-Arrival Declaration does not replace:
- Vietnam eVisa
- Visa exemption rules
- Visa on arrival requirements
You must still meet Vietnam’s normal immigration requirements.
Is There Still a Health Declaration?
Temporary health declarations can be introduced if there are outbreaks of specific diseases, so it’s always worth checking official advice shortly before departure. The video here explains that there is currently no heath declaration required to enter Vietnam.
Tips Before Flying to Vietnam
Before travelling to Vietnam:
- Complete the declaration before arriving at the airport.
- Double-check your passport number.
- Save your QR code offline in case you have no internet.
- Keep a screenshot of your QR code on your phone.
- Print a copy if you prefer having a paper backup.
- Make sure your passport is valid for your trip.
Learn more about passport validity rules in my guide so you can make sure you travel with the right passport requirements to enter Vietnam.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Pre-Arrival Declaration
Is the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Declaration free?
Yes. The official government website does not charge a fee.
Is the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Declaration the same as an eVisa?
No. They are two completely different requirements.
Do I need to print my Vietnam Pre-Arrival Declaration QR code?
Not usually. A digital copy on your phone is generally sufficient, although a printed copy can be useful as a backup.
What happens if I don’t complete it?
If your airport requires the declaration, you could experience delays or be asked to complete it before immigration processing.
Which airports require the declaration?
Currently, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Phu Quoc and Da Nang are included, with more airports expected to be added over time.
Can I complete it on my phone?
Yes. The official website works on smartphones as well as computers.
Vietnam’s new Pre-Arrival Declaration is designed to make entering the country quicker and more efficient. Although it adds one more step before travelling, the process only takes a few minutes and is completely free when completed through the official government website.
If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam, it’s worth checking whether your arrival airport requires the declaration and completing it before you fly to help your journey go as smoothly as possible.
Continue Panning Your Family Trip to Vietnam
- Start at the very beginning with my guide to travelling Vietnam with kids
- Learn more about the Vietnam Arrival Card
- Fancy visiting by ship? Check out my guide to cruising to Vietnam
- Starting in the North? Check out my guide to visiting Ha Long Bay with autistic kids
- If you want more of a beach vibe learn more about visiting Da Nang with kids
- If you are travelling the South of Vietnam then check out my guide to Ho Chi Minh City with kids
- Looking to visit Phu My? My guide to Phu My with kids will sort out that cruise stop
- Hitting the South? Check out Vung Tau in my guide to visiting Vung Tau with kids
- Find out more about Vietnam’s airports’ special assistance
Continue Planning Your Asia Itinerary With Kids
- Start with planning your overall Asia family trip, including flights, pacing, transport and choosing destinations that suit your child’s needs
- Looking for easier first-time Asia destinations? Consider visiting Japan with kids for clean transport, family facilities and predictable routines
- Prefer beaches and slower travel? Find out more about Thailand with children for resort stays, nature and flexible family days out
- Planning big city adventures? Discover what to expect in Hong Kong with autistic children
- Hoping to Island hop? Learn more about visiting the Philippines with autistic kids
Continue Planning Your Trip With Autistic Children
- Find out about the help available if you are travelling through an airport
- Discover whether a cruise with an autistic child would work for your family
- Find out how to make travelling with ADHD manageable
- Learn more about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard
- Check out guides to all of the different destinations we have travelled to with autistic children
- Learn step-by-step how to set up the accessibility feature on Google maps
- Learn more about our favourite sensory toys for travelling
- Discover an app that helps you locate a playground anywhere in the world
- Always alerted at the last minute that the little one needs a toilet? Find a toilet anywhere with this app
Continue Planning Your Accessible Trip With My Guides
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