If you're headed to Vietnam — particularly to Ho Chi Minh City or Phu Quoc — there's an important new requirement you need to complete before you board your flight in the Philippines.
Since April 15, 2026, Vietnam's Immigration Department has made the Digital Arrival Card mandatory for all foreign nationals arriving at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City. As of June 2026, it also applies to arrivals at Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC).
Yes — this applies to Filipino travelers too, even though Filipinos are visa-exempt for stays of up to 21 days in Vietnam.
What Is the Vietnam Digital Arrival Card?
The Vietnam Digital Arrival Card is a free online pre-arrival declaration introduced by the Vietnam Immigration Department. Think of it as the digital version of the paper arrival card that travelers used to fill out by hand on the plane — except now, you complete it online before you fly, and it generates a QR code that immigration officers scan when you land.
The form collects your passport details, flight number, purpose of visit, and accommodation information — and sends them to Vietnamese immigration electronically in advance.
Important: The Digital Arrival Card is NOT a visa. It does not replace the e-visa requirement for stays over 21 days. Philippine passport holders visiting Vietnam for up to 21 days are visa-exempt under the ASEAN bilateral agreement, but the arrival card is still required separately.
Who Needs to Fill It Out?
- All foreign nationals arriving at Tan Son Nhat Airport (Ho Chi Minh City)
- All foreign nationals arriving at Phu Quoc International Airport
- This includes Filipino passport holders — visa-exempt status does not remove this requirement
Currently NOT required for: Arrivals at Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi) and Da Nang International Airport. However, expansion to other airports is expected — check before you fly if you're landing elsewhere.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Vietnam Digital Arrival Card
The form is hosted on the official Vietnamese immigration portal:
Website: prearrival.immigration.gov.vn
The form is completely free of charge. Do not pay any third-party website that charges a fee for this.
Step 1: Open the Registration Window
You must complete the form within 72 hours before your scheduled arrival in Vietnam. If you try to register more than 72 hours ahead, the portal will not accept your travel date. Do not try to do this a week in advance.
Step 2: Select Your Entry Type Correctly
When the form asks for your entry type or entry permission, select "Bilateral exemption" — NOT "Visa." Since Filipinos travel to Vietnam under the ASEAN visa exemption agreement, selecting "Visa" will confuse the system and ask for a visa number you don't have.
Step 3: Enter Your Passport Details
Fill in your:
- Full name exactly as it appears on your passport (including middle name if listed)
- Passport number
- Date of birth
- Nationality (Philippines)
- Passport expiry date
Double-check every character. Even a single typo in your name or passport number can cause processing delays at immigration.
Step 4: Enter Your Flight and Accommodation Details
- Your flight number — use the operating carrier code, not a codeshare number. If you're flying Cebu Pacific (5J) or AirAsia (Z2), use those codes, not the code of a partner airline listed on your ticket.
- Your departure airport code — if flying from Cebu, this is CEB, not MNL
- Your hotel name and address in Vietnam, or the address of where you're staying
Step 5: Submit and Save Your QR Code
After submitting, the system generates a QR code. Save this QR code offline — screenshot it, download it, or save it to your photos. Do not rely on mobile data or internet access to pull it up at the airport. A dead battery or weak signal at immigration can cause unnecessary delays.
Step 6: Present Your QR Code at Check-in and Immigration
Show the QR code at your airline's check-in counter in the Philippines (they may ask for it before letting you board), and again at Vietnamese immigration upon arrival.
Common Mistakes Filipino Travelers Make
- Filling it out too early — the portal blocks dates more than 72 hours ahead. Do it the day before or the morning of your flight.
- Selecting "Visa" instead of "Bilateral exemption" — this is the most common error for Filipino travelers.
- Wrong flight code — confirm the exact operating carrier code on your ticket, not a partner code.
- Typos in passport details — a single wrong digit or letter can delay you at immigration.
- Not saving the QR code offline — always download it or screenshot it before you board.
- Assuming it's the same as a visa — it is not. If you are staying more than 21 days, you still need to apply for a Vietnam e-visa separately at evisa.gov.vn.
A Note About Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc operates under a special tourism zone exemption that allows visa-free stays of up to 30 days for most nationalities arriving directly from abroad — including Filipinos. However, this only applies if you stay on the island throughout your visit. If you fly from Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh City or any mainland Vietnamese city, standard entry rules apply. If your itinerary mixes Phu Quoc with the mainland, apply for an e-visa before you travel.
Quick Summary
- ✅ Filipinos are visa-exempt in Vietnam for up to 21 days
- ✅ The Digital Arrival Card is still required — even for visa-exempt travelers
- ✅ The form is FREE at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn
- ✅ Complete it within 72 hours of your arrival time
- ✅ Select "Bilateral exemption" as your entry type
- ✅ Save your QR code offline before you fly
- ⚠️ Currently required at Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) and Phu Quoc (PQC) — not yet at Hanoi (HAN) or Da Nang (DAD)
Heading to Vietnam with Wandertrift?
Our team at Wandertrift Travel & Tours handles all pre-departure requirements briefings for clients joining our Vietnam group tours and FIT packages. We'll remind you about the Digital Arrival Card, help with your Vietnam e-visa if needed for longer stays, and make sure you're fully prepared before departure day.
Browse our Vietnam tour packages or reach out to our visa specialists if you need help with your entry requirements.
Source: Vietnam Immigration Department; prearrival.immigration.gov.vn. Information is accurate as of July 2026. Requirements may change — always check the official Vietnamese Immigration Department website before travel.
