📄 The Big Question: Print or Phone?

After your Vietnam eVisa is approved, you’ll receive a PDF by email. But many travelers ask: “Do I really need to print it, or can I just show it on my phone?”. The answer depends on your entry point. In 2025, airports in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang have upgraded systems to scan QR codes and digital PDFs. However, smaller airports and land borders still often request a printed copy. This article explains what you need to know.

For a complete overview of Vietnam’s eVisa system, see our Vietnam eVisa & Connectivity .

📑 Official Vietnam Immigration Guidelines

According to the Vietnamese Immigration Department, travelers must present a printed copy of the eVisa approval letter upon entry. This is the safest option and is still the official requirement. While digital versions may be accepted at certain airports, relying on your phone alone is risky if you encounter an officer or airline agent who insists on print.

✈️ Airports: Digital Acceptance on the Rise

At major international airports, digital copies are increasingly accepted:

• Hanoi (Noi Bai): Travelers in 2025 reported immigration officers scanning PDFs directly from phones.
• Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat): Airlines at check-in sometimes insist on a printed copy, but immigration officers usually accept digital.
• Da Nang: Known for smoother processing, with many travelers successfully showing phone screens.

Case Study: In April 2025, a Taiwanese traveler entered Da Nang with only a digital copy. The officer accepted it, but warned: “Next time, please print as backup.”

🚍 Land Borders & Smaller Airports: Print Is Safer

At land crossings such as Moc Bai (Cambodia–Vietnam) or Huu Nghi (China–Vietnam), printed copies are almost always required. Many posts in 2024–2025 travel forums highlight cases where travelers had to find nearby print shops or pay agents to print documents on the spot.

Case Study: In July 2024, an Indian traveler crossing Moc Bai was delayed for 2 hours because he only had the eVisa on his phone. Border officers insisted on a printed document and directed him to a local copy shop.

🛫 Airlines: Boarding Rules Vary

Airlines often check eVisas at departure airports outside Vietnam. Many carriers (e.g., Singapore Airlines, AirAsia, Vietnam Airlines) still require a printed copy at check-in to ensure compliance with destination rules. This is where most last-minute rejections happen if travelers only carry a digital copy.

💡 Practical Tips for Travelers

• ✅ Always print at least one copy of your eVisa
• ✅ Save the PDF to your phone and cloud storage as backup
• ✅ Carry both digital and printed versions for flexibility
• ✅ If traveling via land border, print two copies (one may be kept by officers)
• ✅ Use a hotel or airport business lounge if you forget to print in advance

📶 Connectivity During Immigration

Even with a printed copy, having internet access at immigration is useful. Officers may ask you to show your return ticket, hotel booking, or re-download the eVisa PDF if there’s an error. Ordering a Vietnam eSIM lets you receive the QR code by email before your trip, so you always have access to your documents.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is a printed eVisa mandatory in 2025?
A: Officially yes. Immigration requires a printed copy, though digital is often accepted at major airports.

Q: Can airlines refuse boarding if I only have digital?
A: Yes. Airlines frequently insist on printed documents to avoid liability at check-in.

Q: What if I lose my printed copy?
A: You can reprint at your hotel or airport business lounge. Always keep the PDF stored in your email and phone.

🚀 Final Checklist

• ✅ Print your Vietnam eVisa PDF
• ✅ Carry a digital copy as backup
• ✅ Prepare extra copies for land border crossings
• ✅ Secure a Vietnam eSIM for connectivity at immigration

👉 Ready to travel? See the Vietnam eVisa & Connectivity Guide for complete entry and connectivity tips.