Required documents for children departing from Vietnam

Children under 2 years old

According to airline recommendations, infants under 1 week old are not permitted to fly due to the effects of air pressure. Therefore, parents should carefully consider travel plans before arranging trips.

For infants under 1 month old:

• The birth certificate (original or certified copy) is required.
• For premature or immunocompromised infants, a supplementary hospital health examination certificate (valid for 6 months) is necessary.
• If the birth certificate is not available, a hospital birth confirmation document (not exceeding 30 days) can be used instead.

For children from 1 month to under 2 years old:

• The birth certificate (original or certified copy) is required.
• Note that on return flights, if the child is already 2 years old or older, the airline will apply new fare rules for corresponding age.

Children aged from 2 to 12 years old

A child in this age group must travel with an adult aged 18 or older, who can be a parent or authorized guardian. The following documents will be required:

• The birth certificate (original or certified copy) and passport are required.
• Parental authorization letter: If the child is not traveling with both parents, a document confirming the familial relationship with verification from the local police chief at the place of residence is required.

To ensure safety and comfort for children traveling with guardians, parents should also consider the following:

• Select a responsible adult aged 18 or older who is capable of caring for and assisting the child throughout the journey, including check-in, baggage collection, security clearance, etc., to ensure that the child feels at ease, especially if it’s their first time flying.
• Provide detailed instructions to the guardian regarding the child’s needs, preferences, and health condition for optimal care.

Children aged from 12 years old

For children aged 12 and above, the required air travel procedures are not significantly different from those for adults. However, the following documents are still required:

• Original birth certificate or certified copy for children under 14 years old.
• National identification card for children aged 14 and above. If a national identification card is not available, an alternative identification document issued by the local ward/commune authorities can be used as a substitute.
• A passport is mandatory for international flights.
• Note that at this age, children are still not allowed to travel alone internationally. Some airlines may allow children to travel domestically alone, but parental or legal guardian consent is required, along with compliance with each airline’s specific regulations.

Required documents for international children arriving in Vietnam

For a smoother and more seamless immigrant experience, below are some additional documents that foreign children should prepare in comparison with Vietnamese ones.

• Passport: The passport must have at least 5 years of validity remaining and cannot be extended.
• Visa: Depending on the child’s nationality, some countries are exempt from visas when traveling to Vietnam, such as Japan, France, Spain, Turkey, Switzerland, Russia, Southeast Asian countries, and more.
• Travel document or temporary/permanent residence card (if applicable).
• In case of lost passport, a confirmation document from the local authority where the passport was lost or from the home country’s consulate is required.

Note:

• When checking in, parents must present all the above documents to the airline staff and control department. It is recommended to contact the airline before the flight to get specific advice on regulations for children of foreign nationality.
• Prepare copies of all documents in case of loss.