Vietnam Travel Updates 2026: What Has Changed This Year

At a glance (checked 15 October 2026)

1. The online pre-arrival form

Vietnam’s Immigration Department launched a Pre-arrival Information (PAI) system at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn. It began as a voluntary pilot at Tan Son Nhat airport on 15 April 2026, and the Ministry of Public Security says it will be extended nationwide.

At Phu Quoc International Airport it has been required for all foreign passengers since 1 June 2026. You can submit it up to three days before the flight; the system then issues a QR code to show at immigration. It is also where Phu Quoc’s 30-day visa exemption is selected, so it matters for direct international flights to the island.

• It is free. Ignore sites that charge a fee to file it for you; use the official .gov.vn address only.
• It is not a visa. You still need an e-visa or a visa exemption for your nationality.
• It is not a health declaration. The Ministry of Health has confirmed none is required.

Reports on which other airports already enforce it disagree, so we ask every guest to complete it whatever airport they land at: it takes a few minutes and speeds up the queue.

2. A direct boat from Saigon to Con Dao again

The fast boat from Nha Rong – Khanh Hoi port, in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, to Con Dao resumed in June 2026 after a nine-month pause. The new vessel, Phu Quy Express 02, carries 527 passengers and takes about 5 hours 15 minutes. Fares are quoted from about 965,000 VND for a seat, with VIP berths above 1.2 million VND.

Published timetables differ between sources (some list Monday, Wednesday and Saturday departures), and sailings are cancelled when the sea is closed, most often from October to February. For travelers with limited days, the one-hour flight is still the better choice; the boat suits those who want to arrive by sea without first going to Vung Tau or Tran De.

3. Long Thanh: Saigon’s new international airport

Long Thanh International Airport, about 40 km east of central Ho Chi Minh City, is targeted for partial commercial operation from 24 December 2026. Earlier dates (September, then 1 December 2026) were not met, so treat this as a target.

• Which flights move: under the operator’s plan, long-haul international routes (Europe, East and West Asia, Oceania) transfer from Tan Son Nhat to Long Thanh during the summer 2027 schedule, from 27 March 2027. Short regional routes stay at Tan Son Nhat for now.
• Transfers: allow about an hour to the city centre by road. If your trip starts or ends in Saigon in 2027, check which airport your ticket shows before booking hotels and connections.
• Fees: the passenger service charge for international departures from Long Thanh is set at US$25, normally already in the ticket price.

4. Hanoi’s low-emission zone around Hoan Kiem Lake

Hanoi is piloting its first low-emission zone in Hoan Kiem ward from 1 July to 31 December 2026, extending to Hoan Kiem and Cua Nam wards in 2027. The first draft would have banned petrol motorbikes; the version adopted dropped that ban in favour of phased limits on vehicles.

For visitors, nothing needs to be done: walking tours carry on as before, and the area around the lake is calmer, especially on weekend evenings. Our guides plan Old Quarter walks around the current street rules.

5. Tet 2027 dates

The Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed (Notice 11483/TB-BNV, October 2026) that public offices close for seven days, Thursday 4 to Wednesday 10 February 2027. The first day of the Year of the Goat is Saturday 6 February 2027.

• Before Tet (late January to 5 February): domestic flights, trains and sleeper buses sell out and prices rise. Book early.
• During Tet (6–9 February): temples and flower streets are wonderful, but many family restaurants and shops close; hotels, resorts and main sights stay open.
• After Tet (from about 10 February): travel is easy again, and spring festivals begin in the north.

Why this matters

Vietnam welcomed a record 17.7 million international visitors from January to September 2026, up 14.5% on the same period of 2025, and expects about 25 million for the year. With more travelers come new systems and routes, and they change faster than most guidebooks. Our team in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City checks these details before each trip, so your itinerary reflects the rules on the day you travel.

Sources

• Ministry of Public Security — Immigration Department launches Pre-arrival Information System
• Tuổi Trẻ / Người Lao Động — HCM City – Con Dao high-speed boat resumes after 9 months
• Sài Gòn Giải Phóng — Long Thanh airport targets commercial operation in December 2026 (Vietnamese)
• VietnamPlus — Hanoi pilots a low-emission zone in Hoan Kiem from 1 July 2026 (Vietnamese)
• Nhân Dân — official seven-day Tet 2027 holiday (Vietnamese)
• Vietnam National Authority of Tourism — more than 17.7 million international visitors in January–September 2026
• Government News — Viet Nam named among 12 must-visit destinations for 2026