At Tan Son Nhat Airport, the Vietnam arrival card is not compulsory as of today. From 15 April 2026 onward, the Vietnamese Government has been encouraging every foreign national landing at Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City to complete one online before touchdown, no more than two days in advance.
The guide you are reading is independent and informational only, and it explains how to file the form yourself at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn. Nothing is charged here and we never submit anything on your behalf, so please verify every detail before you set off.
Is it necessary for you to have a Vietnam Arrival Card?
As things stand, no. According to the UK Foreign Office, the card is not compulsory at Tan Son Nhat at the moment, though that could shift, or extend to further airports, at short notice. Better to treat it as a sensible routine than a binding rule.
The form comes strongly recommended by Vietnam’s Immigration Department, since it cuts waiting time and speeds up entry. Whatever personal details you give remain confidential and serve border control purposes alone.
There are two further points that often take travellers by surprise. From 1 July, a health declaration could be asked of you if Vietnam is your destination or a transit point, and proof of vaccinations may be part of it. British travellers are additionally reminded by the UK FCDO that carrying cash above 15 million dong or 5,000 US dollars means declaring it. Our guides on Vietnam customs and currency limits and vaccinations for Vietnam travel cover both topics.
How to Complete the Vietnam Arrival Card Online
Begin on prearrival.immigration.gov.vn/apps/submit-document/foreign. There is no account to create; only a text captcha stands in your way.
Pick your nationality
Select your nationality in the dropdown list.
Complete the Passenger Information section
A red asterisk marks the fields you must fill.
Provide your Trip Information
Enter your trip details as prompted.
Look over and send
Review your entry and submit it.
The Result step
Shows what happened with your submission.
For the arrival date you get a radio button whose choices cover just the day of submission and the two days that follow. Filing on 7 October means the options shown are 07/10, 08/10 and 09/10.
Under Passenger Information you will be asked for your passport type, passport number, expiry date, gender, given name, date of birth, nationality, country code, phone and email. Uploading a passport image and giving your surname are both optional. In the visa section, type, number and expiry date must be provided, whereas issue date and issued place can be left out. Your permitted entry period is determined by the visa type, while the visa number is what enables the airport service.
Arriving without a visa? Although the page describes visa details as applying “if applicable”, it still flags type and number as mandatory, so have your passport to hand and consult immigration when in doubt. For type details, see Vietnam visa requirements.
Common Mistakes and Border Checks
- Submitting too soon. The only dates on offer are your submission day plus the following two.
- Visa details not ready. Before starting, make sure you know the number, type and expiry date.
- Passport trouble. British citizens are advised by the UK FCDO to hold a passport that stays valid for at least six months beyond arrival, contains at least two blank pages and shows no damage, as damaged passports have led to British nationals being refused entry and exit.
- Using two passports. Entry to and exit from Vietnam must happen on one and the same document.
- Ignoring the stamp check. Look at your exit date before you walk away from border control. Those travelling visa-free ought to see 45 days counted from arrival, and immigration will not alter it later.
Further reading is available in our passport validity guide and our registration after arrival guide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the Vietnam arrival card mandatory for entry?
Not at present, at least at Tan Son Nhat Airport. Foreign nationals are encouraged by the government to complete it before landing. Because rules can shift, review the Immigration Department’s instructions shortly before your flight.
At what place do I fill out the Vietnam arrival card?
Head to prearrival.immigration.gov.vn/apps/submit-document/foreign. Creating an account is unnecessary. Once the captcha is solved, complete every field that carries a red asterisk.
What is the earliest point at which I can submit the pre-arrival form?
Two days at most. Since the arrival date field gives you the submission day and the two days after it, send the form during the final couple of days before your flight.
Are travelers who do not need a visa required to complete the arrival card?
So far nobody has to, visa-free visitors included. Even so, type and number are still shown as required in the visa section, so keep your passport nearby and ask immigration if that field stops you.
What visa details are required by the pre-arrival form?
You must supply the visa type or purpose, the visa number and the expiry date. Issue date and issued place may be left blank. How long you are permitted to stay is set by the visa type.
Will other airports in Vietnam also require the digital arrival card?
Not for now. Tan Son Nhat Airport is the one covered by the encouragement. Since additional airports might be added at short notice, check the portal again if your landing point is somewhere else.
What amount of cash am I allowed to bring into Vietnam without declaring it?
British travellers are advised by the UK FCDO that amounts above 15 million dong or 5,000 US dollars have to be declared. Should you be carrying more, declare it at customs so that delays or penalties at the border are avoided.
Is a health declaration required for me to enter Vietnam?
Starting 1 July, one may be required when Vietnam is your destination or your transit country, and proof of vaccinations could be requested as part of it. Keep your vaccination records together with your travel documents and verify the latest guidance before you fly.
Sources and verification
- Vietnam National e-Visa Portal (Immigration Department) – the cost of e-visas, how long they last and the recommendation to complete the pre-arrival form (verified 2026-10-13)
- Government of Viet Nam online newspaper – Resolution No. 44/NQ-CP concerning visa exemption for 12 countries (verified 2026-10-13)
- Government of Viet Nam online newspaper – Resolution No. 229/NQ-CP, visa exemption granted under the Tourism Stimulus Program (verified 2026-10-13)
- Viet Nam Immigration Department – e-Visa application page – which applicants qualify and how the application proceeds (verified 2026-10-13)
- Pre-arrival Information Submission – the form to be completed before arrival (verified 2026-10-07)
- UK FCDO – Vietnam travel advice: entry requirements – the digital arrival card, passport requirements and customs limits (verified 2026-10-13)
