Vietnam to Extend Digital ID System to Foreign Nationals in July 2025

Vietnam will begin issuing digital identification accounts to foreign nationals through its VNeID platform starting July 1, 2025, as part of the country’s broader digital transformation strategy. The announcement was made during a “Connecting VNeID Safely and Conveniently” seminar held by Tuoi Tre newspaper this week.

Major Tran Duy Hien, deputy head of the National Population Data Center under the Ministry of Public Security, reported that more than 62 million digital ID accounts have already been issued to Vietnamese citizens. Daily usage of the VNeID app averaged 3–6 million logins in early 2025, up to four times higher than in 2023.

The new rollout extends access to foreign nationals through two account levels. Level 1 accounts can be registered through the VNeID app using passport or travel document details, email, phone number, and an ID photo, with approvals typically processed within one business day. Level 2 accounts require an in-person visit to a provincial police office or immigration center for fingerprint capture and additional verification, with processing times ranging from 3 to 7 working days. According to current draft regulations, there are no registration fees.

Individuals and organizations can register for VNeID accounts. Beginning July 1, 2025, organizations will be required to use these accounts to access online public services. Users must provide explicit consent to share personal data with third-party services, such as banks, and may revoke this consent at any time.

VNeID has developed into a multi-purpose digital ID platform, providing access to digital versions of citizen identification cards, driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations, health insurance, passports, and birth certificates. It also supports mandatory biometric authentication for online banking—a requirement that took effect on January 1, 2025—and enhanced border security. VNeID is now integrated with 12 major banks for secure digital identity verification.

The platform’s infrastructure is built on five key pillars: legal frameworks, data integrity, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, and human resources. These foundations have supported the issuance of 292 million digital service accounts for organizational access to online public services. In healthcare, VNeID integration has enabled the use of chip-based citizen ID cards at all treatment facilities. Vietnam Social Insurance reports over 207 million health insurance information queries through the system as of mid-April 2025.

Recent updates have added support for digital signature registration within the app, advancing Vietnam’s goal to have 50 percent of the adult population using digital signatures by 2025. VNeID is increasingly used across sectors for e-transactions, including access to tax records, purchasing medication, vehicle registration, and crime reporting. Full integration with airport and border control systems is scheduled for completion by September 2025.

According to government estimates, digital public services delivered through VNeID have generated administrative savings of approximately VND 469 billion. While adoption is widespread, not all public and private services are yet fully integrated with the platform, and some features remain in phased rollout. Barriers such as limited smartphone access and digital literacy persist for segments of the population, particularly in rural areas.

The VNeID system is governed by legal frameworks including Decree 69, which outlines the responsibilities, access rights, and data protection rules for both citizens and foreign nationals using digital ID accounts.

Sources: Tuoi Tre News, Lao Dong News, Vietnam.vn

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April 22, 2025 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team