From July 1, 2026, every traveller entering, leaving, or transiting Vietnam must complete a health declaration before crossing the border. It applies to all nationalities, including Vietnamese citizens.
What the new health declaration is
It’s a short form about your health and recent travel that you fill in before you reach a Vietnamese border gate.
The rule comes from the government’s Decree No. 165/2026/ND-CP, which brings back mandatory health declarations as a permanent border procedure.
The form is provided by the Ministry of Health and is bilingual in Vietnamese and English. More languages may be added at specific checkpoints depending on disease-control needs.
This is a standing requirement, not a one-off outbreak measure. It applies at airports, land borders, and seaports alike.
The Minister of Health decides who is subject to the rule and for how long, based on the global disease situation. So the exact scope can tighten or ease depending on current infectious-disease risks.
Who needs to complete it
Everyone crossing the Vietnamese border must complete the declaration, regardless of nationality. There is no exemption based on where your passport is from.
The requirement covers three groups of travellers:
- Inbound: Anyone arriving in Vietnam, including tourists, business visitors, and returning residents.
- Outbound: Anyone leaving Vietnam, not just those arriving.
- Transit: Anyone connecting through a Vietnamese airport or border point.
If you’re booking flights to Ho Chi Minh City or flights to Hanoi, plan to file the declaration as part of your pre-trip checklist.
When and how to submit it
You must complete the declaration within seven days before you enter, exit, or transit Vietnam. You cannot file it earlier than that window.
The decree allows two ways to submit, both using a single national template:
- Electronically: Through an official online form or platform.
- On paper: Using the standard printed form set out in Appendix V of the decree.
Officers may also ask for proof of vaccination or evidence of disease-prevention measures when needed. Keep any vaccination records handy if you have them.
As of early June 2026, authorities have not yet published the exact online portal or app for the electronic form. Check the Ministry of Health for the official submission channel closer to your travel date, and confirm with your airline at check-in.
What happens at the border
Health officers will screen all arriving and departing passengers at the gate. They monitor body temperature and health conditions using surveillance systems and screening equipment.
If officers detect symptoms or a possible health risk, they may take further steps:
- Check your travel documents.
- Interview you about your travel history and symptoms.
- Collect epidemiological information and review prevention measures you’ve taken.
- Carry out additional medical checks if necessary.
This detailed inspection is capped at two hours per person. For most healthy travellers, the process is just the declaration plus a routine temperature check.
How to prepare before you fly
The simplest move is to treat the health declaration like your visa or boarding pass — something to sort before you reach the airport. File it within the seven-day window so it’s done early.
A few practical steps:
- Carry your details ready: Passport, travel dates, and accommodation address speed up the form.
- Keep vaccination records accessible: Save a digital copy on your phone in case officers ask.
- Check the official channel late: The online portal may launch close to July 1, so verify the link shortly before you travel.
- Have a paper backup: If the electronic form isn’t available, the printed version is accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Vietnam health declaration mandatory for tourists?
Yes. From July 1, 2026, it applies to all travellers regardless of nationality, including tourists. There is no exemption based on passport.
How early can I submit the declaration?
You must complete it within seven days before you enter, exit, or transit Vietnam. Filing earlier than the seven-day window is not allowed.
Do I need it if I’m only transiting through Vietnam?
Yes. The decree explicitly covers transit travellers as well as inbound and outbound passengers.
Where do I submit the electronic form?
As of early June 2026, the official online platform had not been announced. Check the Ministry of Health for the official channel before you travel, and use the paper form if the electronic option isn’t available.
Sources
- Viet Nam Government Portal (Government News) — Health Declaration Notice for Viet Nam-bound Travellers
- Voice of Vietnam (VOV) — Mandatory Health Declarations to be Required for All Travelers from July 1
- Viet Nam News — Guidelines Issued for Health Quarantine Procedures for Inbound, Outbound Travellers
- VietnamPlus (Vietnam News Agency) — Guidelines Issued for Health Quarantine Procedures for Inbound, Outbound Travellers
- VnEconomy — Health Declaration Notice for Vietnam-bound Travellers
- VnExpress International — Vietnam to Require Mandatory Health Declarations for Inbound, Outbound Travelers from July 1
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
