Since April 15, 2026, Vietnam has been piloting a new digital arrival card system for foreign travelers arriving at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.
In a notice published on May 11, 2026, on its official portal, Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security confirmed that after this pilot phase, the “PAI” system, short for Pre-arrival Information, is expected to be deployed nationwide.
Vietnam’s digital arrival card set to expand beyond Ho Chi Minh City airport
The Pre-arrival Information system allows foreign travelers to submit certain travel-related information online before arriving in Vietnam. According to Vietnamese authorities, the goal is to streamline entry procedures, reduce waiting times on arrival and support the gradual digitization of immigration processes.
For now, the system is being tested only at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. However, Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security has made clear that after the pilot period, the “PAI” system will be rolled out nationwide.
As a first step, the immigration authorities plan to continue expanding the Pre-arrival Information system to other international air border gates. Officials also said that a rollout adapted to land border crossings will be studied with the relevant agencies, depending on the situation on the ground.
More than 119,000 successful declarations in the first 15 days
The official notice also provides an initial snapshot of the pilot phase.
Between April 15 and April 30, 2026, 161,596 passengers submitted a declaration through the “PAI” system. Of those, 119,854 declarations were successfully validated. The ministry noted that during this initial period, the procedure was implemented as an informational and voluntary measure, with travelers encouraged to use it but not required to do so.
According to Vietnamese authorities, around 70% of the foreign travelers concerned took part in the declaration process, while the successful declaration rate reached 51%. Some failed submissions were linked in particular to errors when entering flight numbers, which prevented the information from matching the flights’ PNR data.
The ministry described these early results as encouraging and said the immigration administration will continue improving the system based on feedback from travelers.
A declaration to be completed within three days before arrival
Eligible travelers can access Vietnam’s official digital arrival card portal at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn.
The process involves selecting a language, creating and submitting a declaration, then entering passenger, visa and travel information. Once the declaration is complete, the system generates a QR code, which travelers can save on their phone or print out to present during entry procedures.
The ministry says the declaration can be completed from any internet-connected device within the three days before entering Vietnam.
Vietnamese authorities stress one important point: the Pre-arrival Information system is not used to apply for a visa, nor to request the review or approval of a visa for Vietnam.
It is only a pre-travel information submission system. Travelers who are subject to visa requirements must therefore continue to follow the rules that apply to their nationality and purpose of stay, even when using “PAI.”
Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security also warned travelers about fake websites that may try to mislead users and obtain credit card payments.
What travelers need to know
- Vietnam has been testing the Pre-arrival Information system since April 15, 2026, at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.
- According to Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security, the system is expected to be expanded nationwide after the pilot phase, first to other international airports and then possibly to some land border crossings.
- The digital arrival card system allows foreign travelers to submit information before entering Vietnam and receive a QR code to present during immigration procedures.
- The procedure is not an e-visa and does not replace visa formalities for travelers who are required to obtain a visa.
