Vietnam Implements New Health Declarations Amid Tourism Surge

Vietnam is set to implement a new health declaration requirement for all travelers starting July 1, 2026, as part of enhanced disease-prevention measures. This comes amid a significant surge in international tourism, which has strained airport infrastructure and led to long queues.

The new regulation, introduced under Decree No. 165/2026/ND-CP and linked to Vietnam's Law on Disease Prevention, mandates that all inbound, outbound, and transit passengers complete a health declaration within seven days before travel. The declaration can be submitted electronically or on paper and will initially be available in Vietnamese and English.

Health quarantine officers will monitor travelers and may conduct epidemiological interviews or document checks if individuals show signs of infectious disease. Additional health-screening measures can be activated during periods of heightened disease risk. This move follows recent digitalization efforts, including an online pre-arrival declaration system launched at Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

Despite the tighter health controls, Vietnam continues to be an accessible destination. Its e-visa program allows eligible travelers to obtain visas valid for up to 90 days, and the country has significantly expanded visa-free travel for citizens of 13 key markets, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, South Korea, and Russia, offering up to 45 days of visa-free entry. ASEAN travelers also benefit from varying levels of visa-free access.

Vietnam's tourism recovery is primarily driven by Northeast Asian markets, with China and South Korea being the largest source markets. Other significant contributors include Taiwan, Japan, and the United States, alongside regional traffic from Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Cambodia. Europe has emerged as a key growth region due to expanded visa-waiver policies.