Vietnam mobile operators lock millions of SIMs as verification deadline approaches

Vietnam’s two largest mobile operators, Viettel and VinaPhone, have locked outgoing calls and texts for over 8 million subscribers because the owners have not completed the required identity verification. Around 18 million numbers are at risk of one‑way lockout in the ongoing subscriber‑data review, which affects daily activities such as receiving banking OTPs, e‑wallet transactions, and government e‑services.

Users can unlock their SIMs by completing the verification through the providers’ apps—My Viettel, Viettel Tammi, VNeID for Viettel, and My VNPT or VNeID for VinaPhone—or by visiting any of the 50 000 nationwide verification points. Hotline 18008098 (Viettel) and 18001091 (VinaPhone) also offer assistance, including home‑visit support for the elderly and disabled. After a one‑way lock, subscribers have 60 days (until 15 August) to verify; failure leads to a two‑way lock and, after a further five‑day grace period, permanent number reclamation by the operator.