Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Photo: Nguyen Luong Anh Ngoc / Shutterstock.com Anyone traveling to, from, or through Vietnam will face a new entry requirement from July 1, 2026, as the country introduces a mandatory health declaration for all international travelers.
The declaration could include providing proof of certain vaccinations. Travelers are advised to check with their nearest Vietnamese embassy before departure for the latest instructions on completing the declaration.
The new measure, introduced under a new government Decree and the updated Law on Disease Prevention, applies to passengers entering, leaving, or transiting through Vietnam, regardless of nationality, visa type, or mode of transport.
Unlike previous health measures introduced during disease outbreaks, the declaration will become a standard requirement at all international airports, land border crossings and seaports.
The new requirement applies to everyone crossing Vietnam's borders, including foreign tourists arriving in Vietnam, transit passengers, travellers using land border crossings or seaports, and Vietnamese citizens departing the country.
Passengers must complete the declaration within seven days before travel.
Travelers will be able to complete the health declaration electronically through a system to be announced by the Vietnamese authorities. A paper version of the form will also be accepted if the online platform is unavailable.
Authorities recommend completing the declaration before departure to help reduce waiting times at border checkpoints.
Health quarantine officers will check submitted declarations at border crossings and may carry out temperature screening using medical surveillance equipment. If a traveler is flagged during the screening process, authorities can conduct further health assessments, including reviewing travel history, checking supporting documents and interviewing the passenger about any symptoms.
According to the decree, these additional checks can last up to two hours when required.
The Vietnamese Ministry of Health also retains the authority to introduce additional screening measures during disease outbreaks, including expanded health declarations or enhanced medical checks.
The new requirement follows Vietnam's recent introduction of an optional digital arrival card for international passengers arriving at Tan Son Nhat International Airport. While that system remains voluntary, the health declaration will become mandatory nationwide from July 1.
Vietnam. Photo: Guitar photographer / Shutterstock.comTravelers are encouraged to check the latest entry requirements before departure, particularly as health and immigration procedures can change with limited notice.
Passengers should also ensure they have all required travel documents ready before arriving in Vietnam to help avoid delays at immigration.
As a reminder, Vietnam has also recently expanded its mandatory pre-arrival personal information declaration targeting all international arrivals at all airports in Vietnam.
To comply, visitors must complete the respective declaration upon arrival, or not more than three days before arrival, and present the generated QR code to Immigration when entering the country.