Vietnam’s government has unveiled ambitious targets for its digital transformation program, aiming for 100% of adult citizens to have a digital identity and access to key online services by 2026. The goal, announced during the country’s National Digital Transformation Day 2025 event today, reflects a high-level commitment to making digital government services universally accessible and positions Vietnam as a leader in Southeast Asia’s digital identity revolution.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung lauded Vietnam’s rapid progress in digitization but urged a decisive shift from “awareness to capability,” calling for concrete actions that deliver tangible benefits to citizens and businesses. The announcement comes as Vietnam accelerates its comprehensive digital transformation strategy, building on the foundation of its VNeID platform, which has already issued over 62 million digital ID accounts to Vietnamese citizens.
Over recent years, Vietnam has aggressively rolled out e-government and digital economy initiatives with impressive results. Officials report that 80% of public services are now fully available online, the digital economy accounts for nearly 20% of GDP, and hundreds of thousands of civil servants have undergone digital skills training. The National Population Database and the VNeID platform provide the technological backbone for this transformation, enabling citizens to access everything from healthcare to banking services through their smartphones.
However, Deputy Prime Minister Dung also acknowledged persistent challenges that must be addressed to achieve the 2026 target. These “bottlenecks” include fragmented data systems, limited inter-agency sharing, and superficial adoption in some areas. To truly become a “digital nation,” Vietnam will need to integrate systems more effectively, enhance cybersecurity infrastructure, and ensure that no citizen is left behind in the digital transition.
The push for ubiquitous digital IDs is central to Vietnam’s broader digital revolution strategy. The government has mandated biometric identity verification for banking services and implemented stricter eKYC rules for telecom and online accounts. Vietnam has also been expanding biometric authentication across multiple sectors, including airports and all border points.
The government envisions each citizen equipped with a secure digital ID and smartphone-based payment account, enabling “every transaction with the State to be simple, swift, and transparent.” By 2026, every Vietnamese adult should be able to authenticate their identity online and access public service portals for healthcare, education, licensing, and more.
Achieving 100% digital ID coverage in a nation of 100 million people within just over one year represents an enormous challenge. Authorities recognize that trust and ease-of-use will determine success. “People will only truly participate in digital transformation when it is convenient, safe, and protective of their interests,” noted Standing Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan.
To build public confidence, Vietnam is prioritizing user-centric design principles and digital literacy campaigns. The government emphasizes creating a “safe, civilized digital environment” where citizens have the skills to protect themselves from cyber risks. The VNeID system has faced scalability challenges—including a notable crash when citizens rushed to claim a government cash benefit—but officials are working to strengthen infrastructure to handle peak demand.
Recent progress demonstrates Vietnam’s commitment to the initiative. The country has extended VNeID access to foreign residents, deployed mobile teams for digital ID issuance, and implemented biometric check-in at airports. These efforts reflect the government’s determination to make digital identity a seamless part of daily life.
If Vietnam’s bold vision succeeds, universal digital identity could unlock higher productivity, drive economic growth, and create a more inclusive society—positioning the nation at the forefront of the global digital economy by the decade’s end.
Sources: VietnamNet, Mobile ID World
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
