Don't Board That Plane
Without This Checklist
Vietnam just changed the rules for entering. Here's everything you need to do — documents, apps, money, and health — before you leave home. Written for adults 50+, by someone living it.
Nine Sections. Nothing Left to Chance.
This isn't a generic travel list. It's a focused, printable checklist built specifically for the realities of arriving in Vietnam as an adult 50+ or slow traveler — including the new 2026 rules, accessibility considerations, and the details most articles haven't caught up to yet.
Flight & Airline Checks
- Airline name & flight number saved
- Transit country requirements checked
- Onward/return travel proof accessible
- Checked luggage transfer confirmed
Entry Documents
- E-visa confirmed, printed & saved digitally
- Approved entry & exit ports verified
- Digital Arrival Card + QR code (SGN arrivals)
- Passport valid 6+ months with blank page
- All names & numbers double-checked
Backup Copies
- Passport photo page copied & saved
- Visa, insurance & hotel confirmations offline
- Trusted contact has your full travel details
Connectivity
- eSIM or local SIM arranged
- Grab app downloaded & payment set up
- Accommodation address saved in English & Vietnamese
Health & Safety
- Travel insurance active & policy number accessible
- Medications in carry-on with documentation
- Backup glasses, hearing aids & mobility items packed
- Emergency contacts written on paper
- STEP enrollment completed (U.S. travelers)
- Vietnam emergency numbers saved (113 / 114 / 115)
Accessibility & Arrival Comfort
- Airport assistance requested in advance
- Mobility aids labeled & photographed
- First-night arrival plan kept simple
- Comfort items in personal carry-on bag
Money
- Wise card or travel-friendly debit card set up
- Cash on hand for first hours in-country
- Home bank notified of travel dates
- ATM plan in place (avoid airport exchange counters)
Night-Before Checks
- Phone & power bank fully charged
- All docs accessible offline
- QR code & e-visa saved to camera roll
- Do Not Disturb set for the flight
Arrival & Daily Life
- Passport or copy ready for local check-ins
- Know when (and when not) to hand over your passport
⚠️ One More Thing Worth Knowing
The Digital Arrival Card is separate from your e-visa — you may need both. The Arrival Card is free; the e-visa has a government fee. Use only official .gov.vn websites for both. Copycat sites charge unnecessary service fees for forms you can complete yourself in minutes.
Written by Someone Living It
I'm Mary R. Johnson, founder of Traveling Savvy Seniors and author of The Slow Path to Wellness: How Slow Travel Heals at Every Age. I've been slow traveling Southeast Asia since January 2025 — living in Da Nang, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Lat, and now Vung Tau, Vietnam.
I'm not writing from a hotel room on a two-week trip. I'm writing from lived experience — figuring out visas, navigating bureaucracy, finding doctors, and managing life abroad after 50. This checklist reflects what I actually needed when I arrived, including the new rules that took effect in 2026.
Ready to Arrive With Confidence?
Get the free checklist delivered to your inbox — print it out, work through it the night before your flight, and board knowing you haven't missed a thing.
Entry rules can change. Always verify your e-visa, arrival card, passport, airline, and transit requirements through official government or airline sources before your travel date.
Some resources mentioned may be affiliate partners, which means Traveling Savvy Seniors may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share tools that meet the needs of slow travelers and adults 50+ who plan with care.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Subscribe to My Newsletter
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter. I don’t send any spam email ever!