Vietnam revises ID card rules, enhancing local police data duties

On 13 February 2026 the Vietnamese government issued Decree No. 58/2026/ND‑CP, amending Decree No. 70/2024/ND‑CP that details the implementation of the Law on Residence and the Law on Identity Cards. The decree expands the responsibilities of commune‑level police, requiring them to collect and update citizen information in the National Population Database during registration, changes of residence, issuance, renewal or replacement of identity cards, and to provide that data to state agencies, political organisations and other authorised bodies upon written request.

Citizens may now request corrections to their data through the national public service portal, the VNeID mobile application, or directly at the nearest police station, submitting a correction form and supporting documents. The decree also streamlines procedures by removing previous rules that mandated cancellation and re‑issuance of personal identification numbers for gender changes or birth‑date errors, and it introduces personal identification numbers for Vietnamese citizens whose births are registered abroad.

Overall, the changes aim to improve data accuracy, simplify citizen interactions with authorities, and broaden the lawful use of population data by local agencies.