Vietnam Pre-Arrival Registration 2026: Step-by-Step QR Code Guide

Hi, I'm Hazuki from ít ít Việt Nam.

Planning a trip to Vietnam? There's a new step you can take online before you even board your flight.

Since April 2026, Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City has been running a trial of a pre-arrival registration system for foreign visitors. Officially it's called Pre-Arrival Information (PAI), and you'll also see it described as a "digital arrival card."

It has since expanded to other airports too, including Hanoi and Da Nang.

"What exactly do I register?"
"Is it required?"
"Does it cost anything?"

If this is your first time, it can feel a little confusing.

So here's a plain-English guide to Vietnam's pre-arrival registration: how to sign up on the official site, and what to watch out for along the way! It works for any passport. Wherever the form asks about your nationality, country code, or visa, I'll tell you how to choose your own.

✅ What You'll Learn in This Guide

• What Vietnam's pre-arrival registration is (who it's for, cost, and when you can register)
• Whether it's mandatory or optional
• How to avoid fake and third-party "agent" sites
• How to choose your own nationality, country code, and visa type
• Step-by-step instructions for the official site (with screenshots, all 19 steps)
• FAQ (registering your family, connecting flights, QR codes, and more)

*The screenshots in this guide show an example filled out with a Japanese passport, on the Japanese version of the site. Whatever your passport, choose the nationality, country code, and visa type that match your own situation. I explain how in each step.

*Last checked: October 2026. Entry rules can change, so please check the latest information before you travel.

What Is Vietnam's Pre-Arrival Registration?

On April 15, 2026, Vietnam began a trial of pre-arrival registration for foreign visitors at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.

Since then, it has become available at other airports too, including Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi and Da Nang International Airport, and the list of airports keeps growing.

By registering your personal details online in advance, the idea is to make immigration checks faster and more efficient.

• Who it's for: Foreign nationals
• How to apply: Online
• Cost: Free
• When you can register: From 2 days before your entry date

Once you finish, you'll receive a QR code. Save it on your phone or print it out, and show it at immigration when you arrive.

What Do You Get From Registering in Advance?

Registering your details ahead of time is expected to make your immigration check go more smoothly.

There's also talk of dedicated immigration counters for travelers who have already registered.

Is Vietnam Pre-Arrival Registration Mandatory or Optional?

Right now, pre-arrival registration is optional, not mandatory.

That said, Vietnam's Immigration Department encourages foreign visitors to use it to make entry procedures smoother.

You might think, "If it's not required, maybe I'll skip it." But since it only takes a few minutes online before your trip, it's a good idea to get it done if you have the time. It's worth the peace of mind.

The list of airports and the rules themselves may change, so please check the latest information before you leave for Vietnam.

To check the latest yourself, these are good places to start:

• Vietnam Immigration Department: official pre-arrival registration site
• Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam (English): "Immigration Department launches Pre-arrival Information System"
• Your own government's travel advisory, and the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in your country

Things to Know Before You Register

Tip 1: You Can Register From 2 Days Before You Arrive

Pre-arrival registration opens 2 days before your date of entry into Vietnam.

You can't register any earlier than that, so make a note to do it right before your trip.

Tip 2: Registration Is Free!

This one is really important.

Pre-arrival registration is free.

You also don't need to enter credit card details on the official registration.

If you see either of these, it could be a fake site or a third-party agent site that charges high fees. Don't enter any details or make any payment. Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security has also warned that fake websites imitating the pre-arrival system have been found, aiming to collect credit card details.

Tip 3: Start From the Official Site

If you're not sure which site to use, we recommend typing in the official address yourself, or using the link in an official announcement from Vietnam's Immigration Department or Ministry of Public Security. Don't click through from ads or agent sites in search results.

There are a few other things worth keeping in mind on a trip to Vietnam. If you'd like to read through them all at once, check out 10 Rules to Know Before You Travel to Vietnam.

Tip 4: Don't Forget Your QR Code!

Once you finish registering, you'll receive a QR code.

So you can show it at immigration right away, it's a good idea to take a screenshot on your phone, or print it out if you prefer.

Tip 5: Registration Is Not a Visa

Pre-arrival registration only gets your details in ahead of time, and it doesn't replace a visa.

Whether you need a visa depends on your passport, how long you're staying, and why you're visiting, so check the entry requirements for your own nationality first. If you need an e-visa, get it sorted before you register.

How to Register for Vietnam Pre-Arrival: Step-by-Step Guide (19 Steps)

Now let's walk through the official site in all 19 steps. Follow along with the screenshots as you go!

*The screenshots show an example filled out with a Japanese passport, on the Japanese version of the site. Choose the nationality, country code, and visa type that match your own passport and your own situation. The option names below are translated from that Japanese version, so the exact wording on your screen may differ slightly depending on the language you pick.

📝 What to Have Ready Before You Start

• Your passport (to double-check what you enter)
• Your e-visa approval, if you're entering on one
• Your e-ticket or anything showing your flight code (flight number)
• Your hotel address (from the hotel's website or a booking site)
• Your email address (you'll receive a one-time password and the QR code there)

Step 1: Open the Official Website

First, go to the official pre-arrival registration site run by Vietnam's Immigration Department.

https://prearrival.immigration.gov.vn/home-page

Step 2: Change the Website Language

Click the flag icon in the upper right of the screen to change the language.
The site supports many languages, so it's a good idea to switch to one you're comfortable with first, such as English ♪
*The screenshots here are from the Japanese version, so the wording on your screen may look different.

Step 3: Click "Create and Submit Pre-Arrival Information"

Click "Create and submit pre-arrival information."
Then type in the characters shown in the security image.

Step 4: Select Your Nationality

Choose the country on your passport in the "Nationality" field.
In the screenshot, a Japanese passport is the example, so Japan was selected. Pick the one that matches your own passport.
Start typing your country's name in English and suggestions appear right away.

Step 5: Enter Your Arrival Date

Enter your planned arrival date in Vietnam.

You can only choose from three days: the day you register, the next day, or the day after.
If you're arriving later than that, wait until your trip is closer and register then.

*This is not the date you leave your home country. Enter the local date you arrive in Vietnam.

Step 6: Upload a Passport Image (Optional)

If you upload a passport image, it will be scanned and your name, passport number, and other details will be filled in automatically.

Of course, you can skip the upload and enter everything manually if you prefer.

Even when the fields are auto-filled, compare them against your actual passport to make sure nothing is wrong.

Step 7: Enter Your Phone Number and Email Address

Enter your phone number and email address.
Choose your own country's calling code to match your phone number. (The screenshot uses 81 for Japan. For reference, the US and Canada use 1, the UK uses 44, and Australia uses 61.)

At the end of registration, a one-time password will be sent to this email address, and your QR code will arrive there once you're done, so double-check that there are no typos.

Step 8: Select Your Visa Type

Choose the option that matches how you're entering Vietnam: an e-visa, a visa issued in advance, or a visa exemption.
In the screenshot, a Japanese passport holder entering visa-free selected "Unilateral exemption" (shown as 一国間免除 in the Japanese version). That's just one example.

If you're entering on an e-visa, choose the e-visa option and keep your approval handy. If you're visa-exempt, choose the exemption option that applies to your passport.

Not sure which category your nationality falls under? Check Vietnam's official entry requirements, or ask the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in your country, before you choose.

Step 9: Add Passengers (Optional)

If you're traveling as a family, you can register your companions' details together.

After entering the visa information, click "Add passenger" and fill in your companion's details the same way.

Traveling with kids? Our guide to what to bring, Vietnam with Kids: The Packing List and Survival Tips You Actually Need, might help too.

Step 10: Click "Travel Information"

Once everyone's details are entered, click "Travel information" to move on.

Step 11: Enter Your "Mode of Travel"

Under "Mode of travel," choose the airplane option (the one with the airplane icon).

In the Japanese version shown in the screenshot, this option appears as "空気" (literally "air" as in the atmosphere), which looks like a translation glitch there. The label on your screen depends on the language you chose, so just look for the airplane icon and select it.

Step 12: Enter Your "Flight Code"

Enter the flight code (flight number) for your airline, exactly as it appears on your e-ticket.

For example:

• Vietnam Airlines → VN○○
• VietJet → VJ○○

Other airlines have their own two-letter codes, and you'll find yours on your e-ticket or booking confirmation.

Once you enter the flight code, the "border gate" is filled in automatically.

Typos in the flight number are a common reason registrations fail. In the figures Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security published for the trial period, mistakes in flight numbers and booking (PNR) data were singled out. Double-check before you submit.

*If you're connecting within Vietnam, select the first airport where you'll go through Vietnamese immigration, not your final destination.

Step 13: Select Your "Type of Accommodation in Vietnam"

Under "Type of accommodation in Vietnam," select "Hotel" if you're staying at a hotel.

Step 14: Select the "Province/City" Where Your Hotel Is

Choose the location of the hotel where you'll be staying.

For example, pick Ho Chi Minh City for Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang for Da Nang, or Ha Noi for Hanoi.

Heading to Da Nang or Hội An? Our guide on cash, ride-hailing, and where to stay, 6 Real-World Tips for Visiting Da Nang and Hội An, is a good companion read.

Step 15: Select the "Ward/Commune" of Your Hotel

Select the ward where your hotel is located (under the current administrative divisions, a ward or commune).

It's easiest to check the address on the hotel's website or Google Maps before you enter it.

For example, the location of ít ít Việt Nam falls under "Ben Thanh Ward."
*If you're staying at several hotels, enter the address of the first hotel you'll stay at.

Step 16: Enter Your "Accommodation Address"

Enter the rest of the address, below the "ward/commune" you just selected.
It goes more smoothly if you check the hotel's official website or booking site as you type.

Step 17: Click "Review and Submit"

When you've entered everything, click "Review and submit."

A confirmation screen will appear, so check carefully for mistakes.

Once you've checked everything, tick "I confirm that the information is correct" and click "Submit."

⚠️ Don't close the registration screen yet!

Step 18: Enter the One-Time Password

A one-time password will be sent to the email address you entered earlier.
Type the code into the registration screen to complete your registration.

Step 19: Registration Complete!

When you see "Submission complete" and the QR code arrives in your registered email, you're all done.

Don't delete the email. Keep it until you've entered Vietnam.

It's also a good idea to take a screenshot of the QR code on your phone so you can show it right away at the airport.

⚠️ One Last Thing: Save Your QR Code So You Can Pull It Up Fast

Once you've finished registering, we recommend saving the QR code on your phone.

Internet connections at airports can be unreliable, so beyond the email itself, saving a screenshot or image is the safer bet.

Also, even if you register several people together, only one QR code is issued.

Vietnam Pre-Arrival Registration FAQ

Q. Can I still enter Vietnam without pre-arrival registration?

A. Right now, pre-arrival registration is optional, not mandatory. Vietnam's Immigration Department encourages foreign visitors to use it to make entry procedures smoother. The list of airports and the rules may change, so please check the latest information before you leave.

Q. Does registration cost anything?

A. No, it's free. You don't need to enter credit card details on the official registration either. If you're asked for a "registration fee" or "credit card details," it could be a fake site or a third-party agent site.

Q. How early can I register?

A. You can register from 2 days before your entry date into Vietnam. The arrival date you can enter is limited to three days: the day you register, the next day, or the day after. If you're arriving later than that, wait until your trip is closer and register then.

Q. Which airports can I use it at?

A. The trial started at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City on April 15, 2026, and it has since become available at other airports too, including Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi and Da Nang International Airport. The list of airports keeps growing, so before you travel, check the official site or official announcements to see whether your airport is covered.

Q. Can I register my whole family together? Does everyone get their own QR code?

A. Yes, you can register your companions' details together. After entering the visa information, click "Add passenger" and fill in your companion's details the same way. However, even when you register several people together, only one QR code is issued.

Q. Which airport do I choose if I'm connecting within Vietnam?

A. Select the first airport where you'll go through Vietnamese immigration, not your final destination.

Q. Where is the QR code sent, and when do I use it?

A. It's sent to the email address you registered. You'll show it at immigration, so don't delete the email, keep it until you've entered the country, and take a screenshot on your phone to be safe. You can also print it out if you prefer.

Q. Does pre-arrival registration replace a visa? Which visa type should I choose?

A. No, registration doesn't replace a visa. Whether you need one depends on your passport, length of stay, and purpose of travel, so check Vietnam's entry requirements for your own nationality. In the visa type step, choose the option that matches how you're entering: an e-visa, a visa issued in advance, or a visa exemption. The "Unilateral exemption" in the screenshot is just the example for a Japanese passport. If you're not sure which category applies to you, ask the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in your country.

Q. Which country code and nationality do I choose?

A. Choose the nationality on your passport and your own country's calling code to match your phone number. The screenshots use Japan and 81 only as an example.

Q. Is uploading a passport image required?

A. No, it's optional. Uploading one fills in your name, passport number, and other details automatically, but entering them by hand is fine too. Even when the fields are auto-filled, check them against your actual passport.

All Set for Vietnam? Now Go Enjoy Your Trip ♪

Once you've registered and saved your QR code, all that's left is to enjoy your trip to Vietnam!

We've planned out your first day in the city in Ho Chi Minh City 4-Day Itinerary: Day 1, Make the Most of Your Arrival.

If you're visiting Ho Chi Minh City, please stop by ít ít Việt Nam between sightseeing and souvenir shopping.

At ít ít Việt Nam, we upcycle fragments of traditional Sông Bé pottery, handmade ceramics from Bình Dương, Vietnam, into one-of-a-kind pieces like our Kakera earrings and Kakera necklace, each with its own unique character.

Whether you want something to wear as a reminder of your trip, or a favorite you'll keep using long after you're home, we think you'll find it here.

There's something special about carrying a piece of your trip home and using it in everyday life.
If you're looking for a souvenir that keeps your Vietnam memories close, come visit us at ít ít Việt Nam ♪

Visit ít ít Việt Nam In Person 📍

Ho Chi Minh City Store — Just Steps from Bến Thành Market

📍 3rd floor, 14 Đ. Nguyễn An Ninh, Bến Thành, Quận 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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🚶 2-minute walk from Bến Thành Market
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Hội An Store — Perfect for an Old Town Stroll

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