FYI: Vietnam Is Now Requiring Pre-Arrival Health Forms From All Travelers

(SPOT.ph) Travelers slated for a trip to Vietnam will soon need to add another step to their pre-flight rituals.

Starting July 1, the country is introducing mandatory health declarations for all travelers. Yes, this applies to everyone entering, leaving, or even just transiting through the country, whether by air, sea, or land.

But there’s no need to panic. The new pre-arrival health form is not too time-consuming and is easy enough to complete online. Here’s everything you need to know about the new entry requirement for our Southeast Asian neighbor.

Every traveler passing through Vietnam’s border checkpoints is required to complete the health declaration form, either in digital or physical form. According to the official government newspaper, it must be completed within seven days of your travel date.

While the actual online form isn’t available just yet, it’s expected to roll out soon as the implementation date approaches. A copy of the form is attached to the government decree, though it's a bit hard to understand at the moment since it's mostly in Vietnamese. But it does give us a sneak peek at exactly what information travelers need to provide—and trust us, it's all pretty standard stuff. Expect to disclose details, such as full name, passport number, flight details, recent travel history, and any current health symptoms.

Don't get overwhelmed with the possibility of needing Vietnamese language lessons just to fill out the form. Once it goes online, officials say that the form will be available in Vietnamese and English, making it simple for international tourists to navigate.

Alternatively, travelers can complete a physical version of the health declaration form at the border counters. However, it can be stressful to get stuck doing paperwork after a flight. For a much faster, smoother travel day, we recommend completing the digital version before heading to the airport.

If new entry requirements to Vietnam sound a bit familiar, you’re probably thinking of a different one. Just a couple of months ago, on April 15, Vietnam’s Immigration Department rolled out a separate Digital Arrival Card specifically for international travelers.

It’s important not to mix these two up: while the upcoming health declaration focuses on health-related screenings, the Digital Arrival Card is meant to speed up lines at airport immigration by getting your information ahead of time.

To complete the arrival card, head to prearrival.immigration.gov.vn. Prepare to fill in passport details, flight number, accommodation address, and purpose of visit. Once you hit submit, the system will generate a QR code. Make sure to take a screenshot or download this, as this is what you will present to immigration officers in Vietnam. Unlike the health form’s seven-day window, this international card can only be submitted up to 72 hours before arrival.

The card was first introduced at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City. It has since expanded to international airports in Phu Quoc (PQC), Hanoi (HAN), Da Nang (DAD), and Nha Trang (CXR).

Before you jet off to Vietnam and fill up on egg coffee and banh mi, just remember: that’s two digital steps you’ll need to tick off before you can head to the airport.