From 1 July 2026, Vietnam will introduce new health declaration procedures for international arrivals, departures, and transit passengers across the country’s airports, land border crossings, and seaports. The change follows the publication of Decree 165/2026/NĐ-CP and forms part of Vietnam’s broader efforts to strengthen public health preparedness amid heightened global vigilance regarding certain infectious diseases, including Ebola.
The framework also accompanies the development of new digital travel procedures, including the electronic arrival form currently being tested at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.
For travelers and tourism professionals alike, these developments do not currently represent a major change to Vietnam’s entry requirements. Rather, they establish a regulatory framework that enables Vietnamese authorities to adapt health-related border procedures when required by evolving international health situations.
What Are the New Requirements?
Under the new framework, certain travelers may be required to complete a health declaration before entering, leaving, or transiting through Vietnam, subject to conditions and guidance issued by the Vietnamese Ministry of Health.
While the decree establishes the legal foundation of the system, the Ministry of Health retains authority to determine:
- Which categories of travelers are affected;
- Under which circumstances health declarations will be required;
- How declarations must be submitted;
- Any additional preventive measures that may be implemented depending on the public health situation.
What Information May Be Requested?
Based on the current regulatory framework, health declarations may include information such as:
- Personal identification and contact details;
- Current health status;
- Recent travel history;
- Relevant epidemiological information;
- Exposure to potential infectious disease risks;
- Vaccination or immunization information;
- Preventive measures already undertaken.
The exact information required will ultimately depend on future implementation guidelines.
How Will Health Declarations Be Submitted?
The decree allows health declarations to be completed through:
- Electronic submission systems;
- Or, when necessary, paper-based forms.
The system is expected to operate primarily in Vietnamese and English, with additional languages potentially introduced depending on operational requirements and international health developments. Where applicable, declarations must be completed within seven days prior to arrival, departure, or transit through a Vietnamese border checkpoint.
Health Monitoring at Border Checkpoints: What Can Travelers Expect?
The new framework also enables Vietnamese health authorities to implement standard health monitoring procedures at border checkpoints whenever public health conditions warrant additional vigilance.
Depending on the circumstances, these measures may include:
- Temperature screening;
- Verification of health-related documentation;
- Additional health checks in specific situations identified by the authorities.
The stated objective is preventive in nature, supporting early detection measures and helping maintain public health security during periods of heightened international health awareness. Vietnamese authorities have indicated that these procedures form part of a broader border health preparedness and coordination framework and do not currently represent a significant change to standard travel processes for the vast majority of international visitors.
Current Operational Situation
Although the regulatory framework has now been officially published, practical implementation procedures continue to evolve. At the time of writing, detailed operational guidance from the Vietnamese Ministry of Health has not yet been fully released for all travel scenarios. Additional clarification is still expected regarding declaration platforms, affected traveler categories, and operational procedures.
Based on currently available information and ongoing monitoring by ASEV Travel of developments within Vietnam’s tourism sector, no major disruption to tourism operations or travel programs is anticipated at this stage. As with any regulatory development affecting international travel, technical procedures and implementation details may continue to be refined before or after the official implementation date.
What This Means for Travelers
For the vast majority of international visitors, standard immigration and entry procedures for Vietnam currently remain largely unchanged. Travelers are nevertheless encouraged to consult official sources before departure, particularly during periods of heightened international health vigilance. At this stage, no significant impact on tourism itineraries or conventional travel programs is expected.
What This Means for Travel Agencies & Tour Operators
This new regulatory framework highlights the importance for tourism professionals to remain informed about evolving border health procedures and any potential documentation requirements associated with international travel. At present, no significant changes to standard travel operations, itineraries, or entry procedures are required.
However, as with any regulatory development, travel agencies, tour operators, and destination management companies operating in Vietnam should continue monitoring future operational guidance and updates issued by the Vietnamese authorities.
ASEV Travel’s Analysis
As a destination management company operating in Vietnam for more than 30 years, ASEV Travel continuously monitors regulatory developments that may affect international travel to the country. At this stage, the new framework should primarily be viewed as a public health preparedness and border monitoring mechanism rather than a substantial modification of Vietnam’s current entry requirements.
Our teams will continue to closely follow official announcements and implementation guidance in order to keep our partners and travelers informed of any significant developments that could impact travel operations. This article may therefore be updated over time to reflect new information, operational clarifications, or additional recommendations issued by the Ministry of Health and other relevant authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will health declarations be mandatory for all travelers?
Not necessarily. The decree establishes the legal framework, but practical implementation and the categories of travelers concerned will depend on future guidance issued by the Vietnamese Ministry of Health and evolving public health circumstances.
When do the new regulations take effect?
The provisions of Decree 165/2026/NĐ-CP are scheduled to take effect on 1 July 2026.
Will travelers need to provide proof of vaccination?
In certain situations, travelers may be asked to provide information or documentation relating to their vaccination status or other preventive measures, depending on applicable health requirements.
Is the online declaration system already operational?
Implementation procedures and associated digital systems are still being developed and refined. Some practical aspects remain subject to further clarification.
Can travelers still enter Vietnam normally?
Yes. For the vast majority of international travelers, standard immigration and entry procedures currently remain unchanged.
Will ASEV Travel continue updating this information?
Yes. ASEV Travel will continue monitoring official government announcements and operational guidance and will update this article as additional implementation details become available.
