On 20 May 2026, the Government of Vietnam issued Decree No. 165/2026/ND-CP, which details and guides the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Disease Prevention, specifically addressing medical quarantine requirements for people entering, exiting, or transiting Vietnam.1
WHY THIS MATTERS
The introduction of Decree No. 165/2026/ND-CP establishes new compliance requirements for globally mobile employees, business travelers, and organizations managing cross-border assignments involving Vietnam. All individuals entering, exiting, or transiting Vietnam may be required to complete a health declaration and may be subject to medical quarantine procedures at border gates.
The new procedures introduce additional public health measures, including those relating to infectious disease risk while potentially increasing compliance obligations for international travelers.
Key Highlights
Health declaration requirement
- All individuals must complete a health declaration within seven days before entering, exiting, or transiting Vietnam.
- Declarations must be submitted electronically or in paper form, using the prescribed format (Form No. 01, Appendix V).
- Proof of vaccination or other preventive measures may be required.
- Forms are bilingual (Vietnamese and English); additional languages may be available at certain border gates.
Health monitoring and inspection
- Medical quarantine officers may conduct direct and indirect observation (including temperature screening) to identify suspected infectious cases.
- Applies not only to people, but also to vehicles, goods, and human remains crossing the border.
Managing suspected cases
- Suspected infectious cases may be subject to document and on-site (physical) inspection.
- Quarantine officers may conduct interviews, collect epidemiological information, and implement necessary health measures.
Processing time
- On-site inspection for an individual may not exceed two hours.
Effective date
- The Decree and relevant provisions take effect from 1 July 2026.
KPMG INSIGHTS
In light of the changes, the organizations and employers might consider the following:
- Organizations could review and update their travel policies and pre‑travel briefings in relation to the new health declaration procedures.
- Organizations could prepare template communications for employees to clarify documentation requirements, and account for potential processing timelines at Vietnamese border gates.
- Employers and human resources teams could prepare for possible administrative impacts, including the need to brief employees on health declaration procedures, vaccination proof requirements, and potential delays at border crossings.
If assignees and/or their programme managers have any questions or concerns about the scope of the update, its application and potential impacts, and appropriate next steps, they should consult with their qualified immigration professional or a member of the GMS immigration team with KPMG in Vietnam (see the Contacts section).
ENDNOTE:
1 Báo Điện tử Chính phủ (in Vietnamese), “Kiểm dịch y tế đối với người nhập cảnh, xuất cảnh, quá cảnh,” published on 20 May 2026.
Contacts
Disclaimer
* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Vietnam.
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