Vietnam Arrival Card: Entry Requirements & Guide

Before your Vietnam trip, check if you need the Vietnam Digital Arrival Card, especially when arriving at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. This free online form asks for passport, flight, and hotel details, then gives you a QR code to show at immigration for smoother entry.

What Is the Vietnam Arrival Card?

The Vietnam Arrival Card can now refer to two different entry documents, so it is important not to mix them up.

1. Vietnam Digital Pre-Arrival Card

This is the new 2026 online declaration for travelers entering through selected airports, currently mainly Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City. It collects your passport details, flight information, visa or entry document details, and address in Vietnam. Once submitted, you will receive a QR code to present at immigration.

2. NA1 Form

The NA1 Form is the traditional Vietnam entry and exit form. It is still mainly linked to Visa on Arrival (VOA) cases and certain land or sea border entry situations. It is not the same as the new Digital Pre-Arrival Card. Trip.com’s current guide also explains that Vietnam now has two separate but related entry documents: the Digital Pre-Arrival Card and the NA1 Form.

Simple Difference

Important: The Vietnam Digital Pre-Arrival Card does not replace your visa. If your nationality or travel plan requires a visa, you still need to apply for the correct visa separately.

New for 2026: Vietnam Digital Pre-Arrival Card

Starting April 15, 2026, Vietnam’s Immigration Department introduced a free online pre-arrival declaration for international travelers arriving at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. This is part of Vietnam’s move to make airport immigration faster and reduce manual paperwork.

Important Note: The Vietnam Digital Pre-Arrival Card is not a visa. Filipino travelers still need to check if they qualify for visa-free entry or if they need a Vietnam eVisa for longer stays.

Who Needs to Fill Out the Vietnam Digital Pre-Arrival Card?

You should complete the Vietnam Digital Pre-Arrival Card if you are a foreign traveler entering Vietnam through Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. This includes visa-free visitors, eVisa holders, and overseas Vietnamese entering with a foreign passport and valid visa.

This means Filipino travelers flying into Ho Chi Minh City should prepare the form before arrival, even if they are visiting Vietnam visa-free for a short trip.

You Need It If You Are:

✅ Flying into Ho Chi Minh City via Tan Son Nhat Airport
✅ A foreign passport holder entering Vietnam
✅ A visa-free tourist
✅ An eVisa holder
✅ An overseas Vietnamese traveler using a foreign passport and valid visa
✅ Connecting to another Vietnam city after clearing immigration in Ho Chi Minh City

You Usually Do Not Need It If You Are:

❌ A Vietnamese citizen using a Vietnamese passport
❌ A same-day airside transit passenger who does not pass immigration
❌ A traveler flying into Hanoi or Da Nang, based on the current rollout

If you are transiting through Ho Chi Minh City but need to collect baggage, change terminals, or take a domestic flight, you will likely need to clear immigration first. In that case, prepare the digital arrival card.

Do Filipino Travelers Need a Vietnam Arrival Card?

Yes, Filipino travelers entering Vietnam through Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City should complete the Vietnam Digital Pre-Arrival Card before arrival.

For visa rules, Filipino passport holders can usually enter Vietnam without a visa for short stays of up to 21 days. If your Vietnam trip is longer than 21 days, or if you are traveling for work, study, business activities, or other non-tourism purposes, you may need to apply for a Vietnam eVisa or another suitable visa before your trip.

For Pinoy Travelers, Prepare These:

• Valid Philippine passport
• Return or onward ticket
• Hotel booking or accommodation address
• Flight details
• Vietnam Digital Pre-Arrival QR code if entering through SGN
• Vietnam eVisa if staying longer than your visa-free allowance

Real tip: Do not fill out the form when you are already tired after landing. Do it at home in the Philippines while your internet is stable and your documents are easy to check.

When Should You Fill Out the Vietnam Digital Pre-Arrival Card?

You should complete the Vietnam Digital Pre-Arrival Card within 72 hours before your arrival in Ho Chi Minh City. Trip.com’s updated guide also notes that the system only accepts submissions within this 72-hour window.

Best Time to Do It

✅ Best time: 1 to 2 days before your flight
✅ Safe option: Do it before going to the airport
✅ Avoid: Waiting until you land in Vietnam

Some travelers may still be able to complete the form at the airport using the official QR code system, but this can add extra waiting time. It is better to submit it before flying so you can go straight to immigration with your QR code ready.

What You Need Before Filling Out the Form

Prepare your documents before opening the form. This will make the process faster and help you avoid mistakes.

For your accommodation, use your first hotel in Vietnam if you are visiting more than one city. For example, if your first stop is Ho Chi Minh City before going to Da Nang, enter your Ho Chi Minh City hotel details.

How to Fill Out the Vietnam Digital Pre-Arrival Card

The form is simple if you already have your passport, flight booking, and hotel details ready. Most travelers can finish it in a few minutes.

Step 1: Go to the Official Portal

Use the official Vietnam Immigration pre-arrival portal or the official QR code shared by the airport or airline. Avoid random third-party sites that ask for payment because the Vietnam Digital Pre-Arrival Card is free.

Step 2: Enter Your Personal Information

Fill in your details exactly as shown on your passport:

• Full name
• Gender
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Passport number
• Passport expiry date
• Phone number
• Email address

Double-check your passport number carefully. Even one wrong number can cause trouble at immigration.

Step 3: Add Your Travel Details

Next, enter your trip information:

• Arrival date
• Flight number
• Departure country
• Arrival airport
• Purpose of visit
• Planned departure date
• Accommodation name and address in Vietnam

If you are traveling as a tourist, choose tourism as your purpose. If you are attending a meeting, working, studying, or visiting family, choose the option that matches your real trip.

Step 4: Add Visa or Entry Document Details

If you are using an eVisa, visa exemption, visa exemption certificate, APEC card, temporary residence card, or another document, enter the correct details. The digital arrival card does not replace your visa, so your visa or visa-free status must still be valid.

Step 5: Review Everything

Before submitting, check:

• Name spelling
• Passport number
• Flight number
• Arrival date
• Hotel address
• Email address
• Visa or entry document details

Do not rush this part. It is better to spend one extra minute checking than deal with problems at the airport.

Step 6: Submit and Save Your QR Code

After submission, you should receive a QR code confirmation. Save it in more than one place:

• Screenshot it
• Download it if possible
• Save it in your email
• Keep a printed copy if you prefer

When you arrive in Vietnam, show your QR code together with your passport and visa or visa-free entry document.

Vietnam Digital Pre-Arrival Card vs NA1 Form

Some travelers get confused because older Vietnam guides talk about the NA1 Form, while newer 2026 updates talk about the Digital Pre-Arrival Card. These are not exactly the same.

If you are flying into Ho Chi Minh City with visa-free entry or an eVisa, the Digital Pre-Arrival Card is the key form to prepare. If you are using Visa on Arrival, you may need the NA1 Form and the Digital Pre-Arrival Card if you enter through SGN.

Other Documents Needed to Enter Vietnam

The Vietnam Digital Pre-Arrival Card is only one part of your travel preparation. Before your flight, make sure you also have the following documents.

1. Valid Passport

Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months. It is also safer to have blank pages for immigration stamps.

2. Return or Onward Ticket

Immigration may ask for proof that you will leave Vietnam before your allowed stay ends. Filipino travelers using visa-free entry should prepare a return or onward ticket.

3. Visa, If Required

Filipino passport holders can usually visit Vietnam visa-free for up to 21 days. For longer stays, apply for a Vietnam eVisa or another correct visa before departure. Vietnam’s official eVisa system states that eVisas can be valid for a maximum of 90 days and may be single or multiple entry.

4. Hotel Booking or Accommodation Address

You need this for the digital form and for immigration questions. Keep your hotel confirmation saved on your phone.

5. Digital Pre-Arrival QR Code

If entering through Tan Son Nhat Airport, keep your QR code ready before landing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Thinking the Digital Arrival Card Is a Visa

The form is not a visa. If your stay is longer than your visa-free allowance, you still need the correct visa.

2. Filling It Out Too Early

The form should be completed within the allowed 72-hour window before arrival. Submitting too early may not work.

3. Using the Wrong Website

Use the official Vietnam Immigration pre-arrival portal or the official QR code. Do not pay third-party sites for a free form.

4. Typing the Wrong Passport Number

This is one of the most common travel mistakes. Always compare your form details with your passport.

5. Forgetting to Save the QR Code

Do not rely only on your email. Screenshot the QR code so you can show it even if airport Wi-Fi is slow.

6. Entering the Wrong Hotel Address

Use your first hotel or accommodation in Vietnam. If you are not sure about the full address, check your booking confirmation.

Tips for a Smooth Vietnam Arrival

Here are simple tips for Filipino travelers flying to Vietnam:

✅ Complete the Digital Pre-Arrival Card before your flight if entering through SGN
✅ Screenshot your QR code, eVisa, hotel booking, and return ticket
✅ Keep your passport and documents in one folder
✅ Prepare some Vietnamese Dong for airport transport and small purchases
✅ Download Grab before arrival for easier rides
✅ Save your hotel address in English and Vietnamese if possible
✅ Keep your phone charged before landing
✅ Be polite and answer immigration questions clearly