Entering & Staying in Vietnam

Read this before you fly. Depending on your nationality and where you land, Vietnam can involve two online steps before arrival: a visa or e-Visa (if you are not visa-exempt) and the new Digital Arrival Card. Both are done on official government websites and generate documents you must show at immigration.

Required at Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat)

Vietnam Digital Arrival Card

Since 15 April 2026, foreign travellers arriving at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), Ho Chi Minh City must submit a Digital Arrival Card online before landing and show the QR code at immigration. It is free and must be submitted within 72 hours (3 days) before arrival.

Open the official arrival card→ https://prearrival.immigration.gov.vn

Save and print the QR code you receive. This requirement currently applies only at Tan Son Nhat (HCMC) — it may not yet be required at Noi Bai (Hanoi) or Da Nang, but the rollout is expanding, so check before you fly. The arrival card does not replace your visa.

If you are not visa-exempt

Vietnam e-Visa

Most travellers who are not visa-exempt can apply online for an e-Visa. It is issued for stays of up to 90 days (single or multiple entry) and currently costs about US$25 (single) or US$50 (multiple). Apply a few days ahead — processing usually takes around three working days.

Apply on the official e-Visa site→ https://evisa.gov.vn

Use only the official site above. Many look-alike websites charge extra fees or are scams. After approval, print your e-Visa and carry it with your passport.

Before you travel

Passport valid 6+ months beyond your date of entry, with at least one blank page.
Check your visa. Some nationalities can enter visa-free for a limited time; others need a visa or e-Visa. Confirm the rule for your nationality on the official sites.
If you need an e-Visa, apply on the official portal (above) a few days before you fly and print the approval.
Flying into Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat)? Submit your Digital Arrival Card within 3 days before arrival and save the QR code.
Carry proof of onward travel and accommodation, plus enough funds for your stay; officers may ask to see these.
Travel insurance covering medical care is strongly recommended.

When you arrive

Have your passport, printed e-Visa (if you have one), and Digital Arrival Card QR code ready at the immigration counter.
The officer will stamp your passport with your permitted length of stay — check the date written on the stamp.
Keep all documents and the stamp safe; you may need them when you leave.

During your stay

Do not overstay. Leave on or before the date on your entry stamp or visa. Overstaying leads to fines and can result in a re-entry ban.
Temporary residence must be registered. Hotels do this for you automatically; if you stay in a private home, your host must register your stay with the local police.
Need more time? Visa extensions are handled by the Vietnam Immigration Department — arrange this before your permitted stay ends.
Keep your passport secure. Carry a copy, and report a lost passport to local police and your embassy.

Official resources

Please verify before you travel. Entry rules, visa exemptions, fees, and the airports where the Digital Arrival Card is required all change and differ by nationality. This page is general guidance only — always confirm the current requirements on the official Vietnamese government websites linked above before booking or flying, and never pay an unofficial site to apply on your behalf.