Vietnam adds Cam Ranh airport to its pre-arrival information system

The expansion means travelers flying into the popular Nha Trang resort region can now complete their digital arrival declaration online before landing

Travelers flying into Vietnam through Cam Ranh International Airport (CXR), the main gateway to the Nha Trang region, can now complete their entry declaration digitally before they land. The airport has been added to Vietnam's Pre-Arrival Information (PAI) system, the country's expanding digital arrival card platform, according to VietJet Air's travel advisory page.

With Cam Ranh now on the system, PAI covers five of Vietnam's busiest international airports: Tan Son Nhat (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City, Noi Bai (HAN) in Hanoi, Da Nang (DAD), Phu Quoc (PQC), and now Cam Ranh/Nha Trang (CXR).

How the system has rolled out

The PAI platform was developed by the Immigration Department under Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security and first went live as a pilot at Tan Son Nhat International Airport on April 15, 2026. Authorities indicated at launch that the system would gradually expand to other international airports across the country.

Since that initial trial, the rollout has moved through airports one by one. Phu Quoc was added first, followed by Hanoi's Noi Bai and then Da Nang, before Cam Ranh became the latest addition. The system now serves a mix of business travelers and tourists arriving at Vietnam's most popular entry points.

How it works in practice

The process is simple enough. Travelers heading to any of the covered airports can visit the official PAI portal run by Vietnam Immigration and select their point of entry. The form collects personal details, travel information, and certain specifics about the visitor's stay in Vietnam.

After submitting the declaration, the system generates a QR code that travelers should save on their phone or print out. That code needs to be shown during immigration processing on arrival.

According to Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security, the form can be filled in on a computer, smartphone, or any internet-connected device within three days of arriving in Vietnam. Officials have pitched the system as a way to cut down queues at immigration counters, especially during peak travel periods.

PAI is not a visa and does not replace one

Vietnam has been clear that the PAI declaration is a separate step from the visa process, not a substitute for it. Holding a completed PAI form does not change a traveler's visa requirements in any way.

Anyone who needs a visa to visit Vietnam must still obtain the correct documentation before departure, including through the eVisa system where eligible. Travelers from countries that benefit from Vietnam's visa exemption arrangements are still bound by the standard conditions around length of stay, passport validity, and purpose of travel.

In practical terms, PAI functions more like a digital version of a traditional paper arrival card than an electronic travel authorization or eVisa. It is an extra administrative step layered on top of existing entry requirements, not a replacement for any of them.