Vietnam identity and passport verification guidance

Vietnamese authorities have issued guidance regarding identity verification and documentation requirements for travel.

Initially, the Thanh Hoa Immigration Management Division clarified that while the VNeID application allows citizens to manage passport information for administrative convenience, the digital version “does not replace the physical passport.” Travelers must present a valid physical document to complete exit and entry procedures.

Subsequently, the Ministry of Public Security and officials at Noi Bai International Airport warned that significant changes in physical appearance, such as those from cosmetic surgery, can cause identity verification failures. Authorities reported instances where passport applications were delayed or suspended because facial recognition systems could not match an applicant’s current appearance with the national population database. Citizens experiencing major facial changes are advised to update their citizen identity cards and passports to ensure data synchronization.