VI
EN
Since April 2026, the Vietnam Immigration Department has officially implemented a mandatory online information declaration regulation for certain groups of passengers when checking in at Tan Son Nhat International Airport. This is not just a simple administrative requirement but also a crucial link in the strategy to modernize digital infrastructure, aiming to thoroughly address the congestion problem at the country's largest air gateway.
According to the implementation roadmap from the authorities, starting from April 15, 2026, all passengers of foreign nationality and Vietnamese residing abroad (overseas Vietnamese) using visas to enter Vietnam through Tan Son Nhat airport must complete the electronic information declaration procedure.
The implementation of this regulation marks a significant shift from traditional control methods to data-driven, digitized management, enabling customs and border security systems to proactively and accurately capture passenger information before flights land.
Passengers should proactively declare their information online through the electronic portal before departure to optimize immigration procedures.
Notably, to ensure focus and efficiency, this new regulation clearly categorizes the target groups to avoid confusion for passengers. Specifically, Vietnamese citizens using Vietnamese passports will still undergo the usual screening process and are not required to declare online under this regulation. In addition, international passengers who only have transit flights at Tan Son Nhat Airport without completing immigration procedures are also exempt. This categorization allows authorities to concentrate resources on passengers requiring visa screening, thereby optimizing customs clearance speed.
Regarding the process, convenience and proactiveness are top priorities. Authorities recommend that passengers complete the personal data submission at home or before departure to ensure a smooth journey. The official online portal, located at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn, allows easy access from mobile devices or computers. Here, passengers will fill in information related to their personal details, flight schedule, and purpose of entry. The system is designed with an intuitive interface and ensures high data security according to international standards.
Completing the electronic declaration form at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn is mandatory for foreigners entering Vietnam through Tan Son Nhat airport from April 15, 2026.
In case passengers haven't had time to prepare before their flight, Tan Son Nhat International Airport has installed a QR code system throughout the immigration and customs areas. Passengers can scan the code on the spot to access the system and complete their information right at the airport. After the data is successfully submitted, the system will automatically generate a personal confirmation QR code. This is the "digital travel pass" that passengers need to present to border control officers at the control counter. Instead of waiting for officers to manually enter data for each case as before, scanning the QR code shortens the processing time to just seconds, creating a closed and professional customs clearance process.
This change has received coordinated efforts from air transport units. Major airlines such as Vietjet and many other international carriers have quickly updated information and issued notifications to passengers right from the booking and check-in stages. Airlines proactively reminding customers to complete online declarations is a strategic step to avoid passenger confusion and prevent localized congestion at border crossings during peak hours. This multi-party coordination demonstrates the importance of information synchronization in the modern aviation ecosystem.
Passengers can scan the QR code to access the electronic information declaration system if they haven't had time to complete it before the flight.
From a government management perspective, the transition to electronic pre-arrival declaration is an inevitable step given the strong growth in international visitors to Vietnam in the year of the Horse (2026). This method not only brings transparency to management but also helps security agencies effectively filter information and prevent risks early on. For passengers, the most practical benefit is convenience and time savings. The tiring long queues after transcontinental flights will gradually be replaced by a fast, modern, digitized process.
Airlines have issued announcements reminding passengers about the mandatory online declaration requirement to ensure their schedules are not disrupted.
More broadly, the new regulations at Tan Son Nhat Airport demonstrate the Vietnamese government's determination to improve its tourism and investment competitiveness index. A smart immigration process, minimizing cumbersome procedures, will create a positive first impression for international visitors and overseas Vietnamese returning home. In the future, this model is expected to be further refined and expanded to other international airports such as Noi Bai and Da Nang, creating a unified and advanced immigration management system nationwide.
The mandatory online declaration of information upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport is a necessary requirement to adapt to the era of Industry 4.0. Passengers should pay special attention to accessing the correct official website and completing the procedures early to ensure the smoothest possible start to their journey in Vietnam. Each individual's cooperation in complying with this regulation not only benefits themselves but also contributes to building an image of a modern, friendly, and dynamic Vietnam in the eyes of the world.
