Are you flying to Vietnam? Don’t forget about the new regulations and the mandatory electronic declaration

From 2025, tourists from many European countries will not need to apply for a visa to Vietnam if their stay does not exceed 45 days. However, this does not mean that no entry formalities need to be completed before setting off on an exotic holiday. From 15 April this year, Vietnam introduced a declaration requirement upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, the largest city in southern Vietnam and the country as a whole. What does this involve? Tourists are required to complete an electronic declaration before travelling and generate a special QR code, which they will need to present to Vietnamese border officials during passport control. The official name is the ‘pre-arrival form’, i.e. the electronic entry declaration.

The declaration can be completed on the official Vietnamese government website. The local Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends doing this at least 3 days before your planned trip. The absence of a QR code does not automatically mean that travellers will be denied entry to Vietnam, but it can significantly prolong the passport control process, even up to several hours. Important! Passengers transiting through Ho Chi Minh City Airport are exempt from this requirement.