2026-2027 Vietnam Da Nang Digital Arrival Card (PAI) Guide: Latest Requirements & How to Apply

Major Update: Da Nang Airport (DAD) Now Included in Mandatory Rollout

According to the latest notice from the Vietnam Immigration Department, the Digital Arrival Card (PAI) mandatory declaration system has been officially implemented at Da Nang International Airport (DAD) as of June 15, 2026. This follows the recent rollout at Cam Ranh International Airport (CXR), which took effect on June 22, 2026.

As of June 2026, the PAI system is mandatory at the following four major international airports in Vietnam:

Airport Name	Airport Code	Effective Date
Tan Son Nhat International Airport (HCMC)	SGN	April 15, 2026
Phu Quoc International Airport	PQC	June 1, 2026
Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi)	HAN	June 10, 2026
Da Nang International Airport	DAD	June 15, 2026

⚠️ Important Notice for Da Nang Travelers: If you are arriving via Da Nang Airport, you must complete your digital arrival declaration before your departure. Airport Wi-Fi can be unreliable; we strongly recommend completing the form and saving your QR code before boarding your flight.

Who Needs to Fill Out the PAI?

✅ Mandatory

• All holders of foreign passports (including Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau passports).
• Travelers entering with an E-visa or Visa on Arrival.
• Travelers entering Phu Quoc under the 30-day visa exemption policy.
• Vietnamese overseas citizens (Viet Kieu) traveling on foreign passports.

❌ Exempt

• Vietnamese passport holders.
• Transit passengers who do not pass through immigration (staying within the airport transit/duty-free zone).

E-visa vs. Digital Arrival Card: Know the Difference

A common mistake is confusing the Digital Arrival Card with an E-visa. They are two distinct requirements.

Feature	Vietnam E-visa	Digital Arrival Card (PAI)
Purpose	Eligibility to enter Vietnam	Personal/Itinerary declaration
Timing	1–4 weeks before departure	Within 72 hours before arrival
Fee	From ~$25 USD (Official fee)	Completely Free
Requirement	Must have before arriving	Dependent on Visa Number

💡 Pro-Tip: The order matters. First, obtain your E-visa to receive your visa number, then proceed to fill out the Digital Arrival Card. You will need your visa number to complete the declaration.

Step-by-Step Guide: Da Nang Airport Arrival (5 Minutes)

Step 1: Access the Official Website

🔗 Official Portal: https://prearrival.immigration.gov.vn/

⚠️ Important Warnings

• The PAI system is completely free. Any website that asks for payment is a scam.
• The official URL ends with .gov.vn – always double‑check.
• You can also scan the official QR code provided at the check‑in counter to access the system directly.
• If you forget to complete the declaration before departure, you can still scan the QR code at the airport upon arrival, but it is strongly recommended to do it in advance to avoid delays.

Step 2: Prepare the Following Documents & Information

Before you start filling in the form, have all these items ready:

Item	Description
Passport	Must be valid for at least 6 months and have at least 2 blank pages
E‑visa number	The approval number on your E‑visa, usually a combination of letters and digits, often starting with E
Flight details	Flight number (e.g., VJ841, BR391) and arrival date
Vietnam accommodation address	Name of your hotel or full address (use the first hotel you will stay at)
Email address	To receive the verification code and confirmation notice
Passport photo page (optional)	A clear photo taken with your phone; the system can auto‑fill your name, passport number, and date of birth

Step 3: Complete the Declaration Form

3‑1 Switch Language

On the homepage, click the language menu at the top‑right corner and select “English” (or your preferred language). The system supports Vietnamese, English, Chinese, French, etc.

3‑2 Start the Declaration

Click “Create & Submit Pre‑arrival Information”.

3‑3 Enter CAPTCHA

Type the CAPTCHA code shown on the screen.

3‑4 Fill in Passenger Information

• You can upload a photo of your passport data page – the system will automatically recognise and fill in your full name, passport number, and date of birth.
• If you do not upload a photo, enter the following manually:
  • Full name (exactly as shown in your passport)
  • Passport number
  • Date of birth
  • Nationality
  • Passport type: select “P – Popular Passport (Ordinary Passport)”

3‑5 Fill in Visa Information

• Visa type: Select “E‑VISA”
• Visa number: Enter the number on your E‑visa, usually starting with EV followed by digits
• Purpose of entry: Choose according to your actual situation (tourism, business, etc.)

3‑6 Fill in Travel Information

• Flight number: e.g., VJ841, BR391
• Arrival date: Select your actual arrival date
• Destination airport: Select Da Nang International Airport (DAD)
• Accommodation address: Enter the hotel name or full address of your first stay in Vietnam

⚠️ All fields marked with an asterisk (＊) are mandatory.

3‑7 Review and Submit

• Carefully check all the information you have entered.
• Click the Submit button.
• The system will ask for an email verification code – go to your inbox, get the code, and enter it.
• After verification, the system will generate a unique QR code for you.

📌 Time restriction: PAI declaration can only be completed within 3 days (72 hours) before your arrival – you cannot submit it too early.

Step 4: Triple Backup – Best Practice

Once you have your QR code, save it in these three ways to guard against phone battery failure or loss:

📱 Save a screenshot to your phone

• Take a screenshot of the QR code and store it in your photo album.
• Consider adding it to a “Favourites” album or a dedicated folder for quick access.

📧 Email it to yourself

• Forward the confirmation email (or the QR code image) to your own email address.
• If the system allows downloading a PDF, you can download it and attach it to an email to yourself.

🖨️ Print a paper copy and carry it with you

• Print out the QR code and keep it in your handbag or passport holder.
• A physical copy is the most reliable option and does not depend on any electronic device.

⚠️ Strongly recommended: Wi‑Fi at Vietnamese airports can be unstable. Complete your declaration and save your QR code before departure – do not wait until you arrive at the airport.

Step 5: Present at Immigration

5‑1 Arrive at Da Nang Airport

After landing, follow the yellow “Immigration / Arrival” signs to the arrival hall. Be careful not to go to the transit corridor.

5‑2 Important for E‑visa Holders

You cannot use the E‑visa directly. You need to exchange it for a pink paper visa stamp (often called a “separate paper visa”) at the airport.

• Go to the counter labelled “VISA ON ARRIVAL”.
• Hand over the following to the officer:
  • Your original passport
  • A printed copy of your E‑visa (it is strongly recommended to have multiple copies)
  • Two 2‑inch white‑background passport‑sized photos
• There is no additional fee for this.
• Wait about 5‑10 minutes; the officer will call your name to collect the stamped paper visa.

5‑3 Immigration Check

After receiving your paper visa stamp:

• Go to the lane marked “ALL PASSPORTS”.
• Present all of the following together to the immigration officer:
  • ✅ Passport
  • ✅ The paper visa stamp (or your printed E‑visa if they accept it, but the stamped one is safer)
  • ✅ Your PAI declaration QR code (show the screenshot or the printed copy)

The officer will scan the QR code, verify your information, and then you will be cleared to enter.

5‑4 Collect Your Luggage

After passing immigration, go downstairs to the baggage claim area to collect your checked luggage. Keep your valuables in your carry‑on at all times.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Q: I am flying from Taiwan to Da Nang; do I need to fill this out?
  • A: Yes. All foreign passport holders entering via Da Nang Airport must declare.
• Q: Is the digital arrival card free?
  • A: Yes, the official government website is completely free of charge.
• Q: Can I change my details after submission?
  • A: Basic details like passport number and arrival date cannot be edited. If you made a mistake, please submit a new application. The most recent submission will be the one used by authorities.
• Q: What happens if I don’t fill it out in advance?
  • A: You will not be denied entry, but you will have to complete it on-site. Given the unstable Wi-Fi at airports, this could add 30–60 minutes to your travel time.

Professional Assistance & Expert Services

Vietnam’s entry policies are evolving rapidly. With the PAI system expanding across all major airports in just a few months, ensure your trip goes smoothly with our professional support.

Our Services:

• 📋 Full Visa Support: End-to-end guidance from application to approval.
• ⚡ VIP Fast-Track: Meet-and-greet service to bypass airport queues.
• 🚀 Expedited Processing: Solutions for urgent visa needs.
• 🌐 Multilingual Support: Real-time assistance via LINE/WeChat.

Contact Us Today:

• 🌐 Visa Application: https://www.vietnam-visa.in/apply-vietnam-visa/
• 📧 Email: info@vietnam-visa.in
• 💬 LINE/WeChat: vietnam-visa

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