Vietnam to lock millions of mobile SIMs after June 15 deadline

Vietnam's telecom regulators have issued Circular 08/2026 requiring all mobile subscribers to complete personal‑information verification by 15 June. After a 60‑day grace period, operators will first block outgoing calls and texts, then impose two‑way service suspension, and finally revoke the phone number permanently if verification is not done. Approximately 20 million SIMs are reported to be at risk.

Major carriers such as Viettel, MobiFone and VinaPhone are providing verification through the national ID app VNeID, their own mobile apps, in‑store assistance and home‑visit support. While bank balances remain safe, a locked SIM can prevent receipt of SMS OTP codes and block access to digital banking, e‑wallets, ride‑hailing, e‑commerce and government services that rely on the phone number for identity verification.