Do you need an arrival form or visa to enter Vietnam via Hanoi, and what documents are required on arrival?

According to traveler experience, a new Vietnam e-visa can only be applied for while outside the country; the application system does not allow a new submission from within Vietnam.

According to traveler reports, entry may still be possible if you cannot complete the arrival form or obtain a QR code in advance, but document checks at the border can take longer. For package tours, the travel agent’s office may be able to assist.

An onward or return ticket can be requested before departure: one traveler reported that an airline in Thailand would not allow boarding for Vietnam until the passenger bought the cheapest near-term ticket. Vietnam immigration may still not ask for it, especially when an e-visa is shown.

The Vietnam pre-arrival form should be submitted no earlier than 72 hours before your flight. Whether officers ask for a return ticket on arrival seems to vary by traveler experience, not guaranteed every time.

For a standard arrival in Hanoi, a separate electronic arrival card is usually not required. Immigration typically checks your passport and, if applicable, your visa.

If your passport is not eligible for visa-free entry, travelers usually arrange a Vietnam e-visa online before departure. The usual fee is about US$25 for single entry and US$50 for multiple entry, and it is best to keep a printout or PDF ready for check-in and arrival.

In practice, it helps to have a passport valid for at least 6 months, the address of your first hotel in Hanoi or elsewhere in Vietnam, and a return or onward ticket. Airlines sometimes ask for these before boarding.

If you are planning a long stay rather than a short tourist trip, a standard tourist entry is usually not enough for living in Vietnam long-term. In that case, travelers first confirm the correct visa category and allowed stay, and only then look at relocation agencies, since full-service packages do not replace immigration requirements.