Vietnam has issued an important clarification for international travelers.
While a health declaration had been expected from July 1, 2026, for people entering, leaving or transiting through the country, Vietnamese authorities now say the formality should not be understood as a general and permanent requirement.
The measure does exist under Vietnam’s new health framework, but it does not mean travelers will have to complete a form systematically before every trip to Vietnam.
A possible health declaration, but not an automatic one
In a notice published on June 30, 2026, on the Vietnamese government portal, the Ministry of Health clarified that the health declaration provided for under Decree No. 165/2026/NĐ-CP does not automatically apply to all travelers, at all times, starting July 1, 2026.
That distinction matters. Vietnam now has a framework allowing authorities to require a health declaration at the border, but its activation will depend on the epidemiological situation, the communicable diseases concerned and the risk of those diseases being introduced into Vietnam.
In other words, the health declaration may be required in certain health-related situations, but it is not becoming a new routine formality to be added, as of today, to the e-Visa, visa exemption or digital arrival card.
No action required for most travelers
For travelers, the practical takeaway is simple: at this stage, there is no general health declaration to complete before traveling to Vietnam.
Vietnamese health authorities say the application of this formality will be based on instructions from the Ministry of Health, depending on each communicable disease and the evolution of the global health situation.
Another useful clarification: Vietnam’s Ministry of Health says the website tokhaiyte.vn is not being used for the health declaration of people entering, leaving or transiting through Vietnam. Travelers should therefore not try to complete the process through that address.
The ministry says an official health declaration system is being developed. It will be opened and announced when the declaration is actually required.
A formality that may be electronic or paper-based
If the health declaration is activated, it may be completed either electronically or on paper.
The health form provided by Vietnamese authorities is bilingual, in Vietnamese and English. In that case, the declaration must be completed within seven days before entering, leaving or transiting through a Vietnamese border checkpoint.
In the event of a specific health situation, the Ministry of Health may also issue additional instructions for travelers and the points of entry concerned.
The digital arrival card remains a separate formality
This clarification does not, however, affect Vietnam’s digital arrival card, known as “Pre-Arrival Information.”
The two systems should not be confused. The health declaration falls under the Ministry of Health and will only be activated depending on the epidemiological context. The digital arrival card, by contrast, is an immigration formality that allows foreign travelers to submit their personal details, visa information and travel details online before arriving in Vietnam.
Travelers using a point of entry where the “Pre-Arrival Information” system has been deployed should therefore continue to complete the digital arrival card on Vietnam’s official immigration portal before going through passport control.
VisasNews Take
This clarification is rather reassuring: no new health form has to be completed systematically today before traveling to Vietnam.
Travelers should, however, avoid mixing up separate formalities. The health declaration, which may be activated depending on the epidemiological context, is distinct from the Pre-Arrival Information digital arrival card, which remains an immigration process to be completed by travelers concerned when their point of entry requires it.
The right reflex before departure is therefore simple: check the applicable visa or visa exemption, complete the digital arrival card if required, and follow any health instructions issued by Vietnamese authorities.
