2026 Ultimate Guide: Vietnam's Newest Entry Requirements

Vietnam changed some things in 2026. Not a lot — but enough that if you're walking into the airport with outdated information, you're going to have a bad time before the trip even starts. Let me walk you through what's new and what still applies.

I'm going back. So I did the research. Here's what I found.

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THE 90-DAY E-VISA — STILL THE MOVE

The biggest win travelers got in recent years was the 90-day e-visa, and it's still fully active in 2026. No invitation letters, no embassy appointments, no showing up to a consulate with a folder of documents. You apply online, you get approved, you go.

Who can apply: Citizens of all countries and territories.

Duration: Up to 90 days.

Single entry: ~$25 USD

Multiple entry: ~$50 USD

Where to apply: Only through the official Vietnam Immigration Department portal. Don't use a third-party site — there are a lot of them out there charging extra fees to fill out a form you can do yourself in 20 minutes.

PRINT YOUR E-VISA. I know everything is digital now. Print it anyway. A color copy. Border control is modernizing but individual immigration officers and airlines still ask for it, and the one time you don't have it is the one time someone demands it.

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NEW IN 2026: THE PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION FORM

This is the change most people don't know about yet — and it's the one that's going to catch people off guard at check-in.

Vietnam is rolling out a mandatory digital pre-arrival card. This does not replace your visa. It's an additional step on top of your visa that you have to complete before you fly. Think of it like the old paper customs form, but digital and done before you leave home.

Portal: prearrival.immigration.gov.vn

When to do it: Within 72 hours before your departure. Not your arrival — your departure.

What you get: A QR code. Screenshot it and save it somewhere you can actually find it on your phone at 6am in a foreign airport.

Rollout timeline:

- April 15, 2026: Tan Son Nhat Airport (Ho Chi Minh City) — mandatory for all eligible international arrivals.

- June 1, 2026: Phu Quoc International Airport — expanded, including travelers using the island's special visa exemption.

- Coming soon: Hanoi (HAN) and Da Nang (DAD) — expected as the system proves out.

If you're flying into Ho Chi Minh City or Phu Quoc right now, this is not optional. Get it done.

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COMING JULY 1, 2026: HEALTH DECLARATION

One more layer going in on July 1st. The Vietnamese government is expanding its health declaration protocols — basically a digital form monitoring infectious disease risk for anyone entering, departing, or transiting through the country.

Who it applies to: Anyone moving through Vietnam — entering, leaving, or connecting.

When to complete it: Within 7 days before your travel date.

The platform: Still being announced. Watch your airline communications leading up to your flight — they'll likely be the first to send instructions.

The Ministry of Health determines which diseases are being monitored based on what's going on globally at the time. Expect some processing delays in July as both travelers and border staff get used to the new system. Budget extra time. Don't cut it close.

More forms. More QR codes. More things to do before you get on the plane. That's the reality of travel in 2026 — but none of it is hard. It just requires paying attention.

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THE SHORT VERSION

Here's your pre-departure checklist before flying to Vietnam right now:

1. Apply for your 90-day e-visa at the official portal. Print a color copy.

2. Complete the pre-arrival information form within 72 hours of your departure. Screenshot the QR code.

3. If you're flying after July 1st — watch for health declaration instructions from your airline and complete it within 7 days of travel.

4. Give yourself time. Don't do any of this at the airport.

That's it. Vietnam is still one of the best places on the planet to spend time. A few extra forms before you get on the plane shouldn't stop you from going.

If you have questions or something has changed since I wrote this, drop it in the comments. I read them.

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TAGS: Vietnam, Travel Tips, E-Visa, Entry Requirements, 2026, Southeast Asia