Travelling to, or through, Vietnam? From 1 July 2026, Australians visiting or transiting through the country, one of the most popular destinations among Aussies, may be required to complete a new health declaration before touching down.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the new declaration, which can be completed online or on paper, “may include providing proof of vaccinations”.
DFAT advises Australian travellers to consult official guidance from the Vietnamese authorities for instructions on completing the declaration, which must be submitted within seven days of travel.
While the new rule commences on 1 July, not every traveller will have to submit the health form. According to The Vietnam News Agency, Vietnam’s Health Minister will decide when the rule will apply, based on disease outbreaks worldwide and the risk to the country. So travellers will need to stay up to date with the latest advice.
At airports and border crossings, VNA reports, health officials may check your temperature, watch for signs of illness, ask questions about your travel history and request proof of vaccinations or other health measures. If they think someone might have an infectious disease, they can carry out further checks.
The announcement comes less than two months after Vietnam commenced the rollout of a new digital pre-arrival form for visitors to complete within 72 hours of arrival.
This initiative was introduced at the country’s busiest hub, Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City), and is expected to be expanded to other international gateways in the future. But the timeline for the rollout has yet to be confirmed, the Smartraveller website states.
Vietnam, one of the fastest-growing destinations for Aussie travellers, saw a record 10.6 million international visitors during the first five months of 2026 (up 14.9% year-on-year), VN Express reported, citing government statistics.
The official data revealed that Australia was among the ten largest source markets for the Southeast Asian nation, and the third-biggest long-haul market after the United States and Russia.
Tourism officials attributed the strong growth to Vietnam’s reputation for safety and stability amid global uncertainty.
KARRYON UNPACKS: Vietnam’s popularity with Australians keeps climbing, but entry requirements are becoming more dynamic. For travel advisors, it’s another reminder that destination knowledge now includes keeping pace with evolving border rules.
