Vietnam tightens passport usage rules and expands penalties for military service evasion

Effective 1 July 2026, Vietnam’s Law 118/2025/QH15 adds new circumstances under which a passport’s validity can be cancelled or revoked. Cancellation applies when a holder receives a new passport, when a passport contains erroneous information, and for individuals who are wanted. In addition, passports issued under the simplified procedure will be single‑use, non‑extendable and valid for up to 12 months.

The Ministry of Defence has drafted amendments to the Military Service Law that define conscription evasion more clearly and introduce new prohibited acts, such as falsifying information in registration, health‑screening and conscription processes. The draft proposes harsher sanctions, including up to two years of non‑custodial reform or imprisonment for repeated evasion, and up to five years for aggravated cases, aligning criminal provisions with the revised law.