Vietnam is accelerating its transition toward a paperless border with the official rollout of a mandatory digital arrival card for all international visitors entering through Ho Chi Minh City. Effective as of mid-April 2026, the new system aims to phase out manual paperwork and significantly decrease processing times at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, the nation’s primary travel hub.

Under the updated regulations, foreign nationals, overseas Vietnamese, and those traveling under visa waivers must provide their travel and health details through the official government portal prior to their arrival. To ensure that information remains current, the platform only accepts submissions within a 72-hour window before the traveler’s scheduled landing.

Once the online form is completed and verified, passengers receive a unique QR code. While this code can be generated upon arrival using airport kiosks, travelers are urged to secure it beforehand to bypass potential bottlenecks at immigration counters. This digital shift is expected to improve the flow of traffic during peak hours, providing a more seamless experience for global tourists.

While the requirement is currently limited to Ho Chi Minh City, authorities view this as a pilot phase for a nationwide digital infrastructure upgrade. Plans are reportedly in motion to implement similar digital mandates at other major international gateways, including Hanoi and Da Nang, later this year as part of Vietnam’s broader tourism modernization strategy.