Getting a Digital Arrival Card is now mandatory at Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. Here’s everything a traveller needs to know before planning a Vietnam trip.
Since April 15, 2026, Vietnam has made it mandatory for the foreign travellers arriving at Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) to get a Vietnam Digital Arrival Card before landing.
The new system has replaced the old paper-based process and is designed to make the process faster and smooth with the use of technology.
What Changed In The New System?
Travellers are required to submit their personal, travel and visa details before they land in Vietnam, after which they will receive the QR code that must be presented at the immigration office. Earlier, the travellers had to write their details on the paper arrival card at the border. The new process lets the authorities access the data already stored in the system instead of manually filling out the forms.
Who Needs Digital Arrival Card?
According to the official notice, certain group of travellers arriving in Vietnam for the purpose of tourism or business travels require pre-arrival form.
- Foreign Nationals with other nationalities
- Overseas Vietnamese
Travellers Who Are Exempt from Digital Arrival Card
- Vietnamese citizens with Vietnamese passports
- Transit passengers
What You Need To Do Before You Arrive?
- The pre-arrival form should be completed within 72 hours before the arrival.
- The form has to be submitted on the official portal of the immigration department.
- A QR will be generated after the submission of the form.
- The QR code has to be shown at the immigration office in the digital form or as a printout.
The traveller needs to provide the basic details like passport details, visa, flight information and the place of intended stay in Vietnam.
Tan Son Nhat Airport Leads the Way — Others to Follow
The Digital Arrival Card only applies for the arrivals at Tan Son Nhat International Airport. The other international airports have not implemented the digital system.
Other airports like:
- Noi Bai International Airport
- Da Nang International Airport
Still follow the old paper-based process for airport arrivals. The government has signalled plans to extend the system to other international airports across Vietnam in phases.
Travel Tips To Avoid Immigration Delays
- Complete the digital arrival form before arrival at the airport
- Get digital as well as physical copy of the QR code
- Give correct and exact details of the visa and passport records
A Move Toward Digital Border Controls
This digital rollout is a key step in Vietnam’s broader push towards the complete digitization of its immigration system. This approach brings Vietnam in line with the global travel practices where most countries are adopting pre-arrival data for entry.
Such digital systems allow officials to gather traveler information before boarding, improve efficiency at busy entry points, and support smoother Vietnam visa processing. For a smooth and quick Vietnam visa experience, consider reaching out to Efficient Visa.
