Photo courtesy of Tuoi Tre

A US passenger’s US$100 million lawsuit against Asiana Airlines after she was denied entry to Vietnam without a visa has put the focus on a simple but important travel question: who is responsible for checking entry documents?

Vietnam aviation specialist Dr Nguyen Thi Hai Hang told Tuoi Tre that airlines must check nationality, passport, visa and transit details before accepting an international passenger for travel. However, the final decision on entry rests with immigration authorities at the destination.

Boarding does not guarantee entry

Airline document checks determine whether a carrier can accept a passenger for carriage. They do not replace border control, and being allowed onto a flight does not guarantee permission to enter Vietnam.

Passengers remain responsible for holding valid travel documents. Airlines, meanwhile, are expected to check that requirements have been met before boarding. Hang said errors can arise from misunderstandings about visa exemptions, incorrect passenger information, system warnings being overridden, or gaps between airlines and ground staff on transit or codeshare journeys.

When an airline could be liable

A passenger may complain or take legal action if they can show an airline acted negligently and caused harm. But accepting someone for a flight does not automatically establish liability. If a traveller needed a visa but failed to obtain one, their own responsibility may reduce or remove any claim for compensation.

Investigators would need to review the check-in process, travel documents, communications with staff and the airline’s conditions of carriage before deciding responsibility.

What travellers should do

Before departure, travellers should check that a visa is issued to the correct person and passport, remains valid for the dates of travel, permits the required number of entries and covers any transit points. If details are wrong or a visa has expired, contact the issuing authority and airline before travelling.

What it means for foreigners in Vietnam

For visitors and foreign residents travelling to Vietnam, airline staff are a useful checkpoint but not a substitute for checking official immigration requirements. Anyone refused entry should cooperate with immigration officers, request a written explanation where possible, contact the airline about return travel and keep boarding passes, messages and receipts for any later complaint.

29 August 2026

On 8/29/2026 at 8:35 PM, Uncle Claude said:

A US passenger’s US$100 million lawsuit against Asiana Airlines after she was denied entry to Vietnam without a visa has put the focus on a simple but important travel question: who is responsible for checking entry documents?

Obviously it's the passenger's ultimate responsibility, even though air carriers do their best to avoid boarding anyone who doesn't have all required documents.

Although it seems that Asiana made an error in this case - my guess would be that the passenger boarded in the US on a partner airline that didn't look at the VN entry requirements, and then Asiana didn't do any further checks when she boarded her connecting flight at Incheon - the fault still lies with the passenger who didn't get a visa before traveling, and the lawsuit is frivolous.

She wont win, but it raises a point. When countries change their Immigration Visa rules, should the country's Immigration and the airlines be required to give notice to those who have already bought tickets. People usually plan holidays well ahead of time, and when buying a ticket to the time of arrival, Visa entry rules could change (and lately they do).

Not saying she was caught by this - Vietnam never has given USA passport holders a Visa on Arrival.

No reason for denial?

US citizens MUST have a valid Visa or E visa. That would have been the reason she was denied entry.