Vietnam to Expand Free and Discounted Services for Digital Citizens

Vietnam's government has announced a new policy to promote the development of digital citizens, set to take effect on August 15, 2026. Under this resolution, fees for numerous essential public services will be waived or discounted when accessed online. This includes services such as resident registration, passports, driver's licenses, personal identification information, civil status information, issuance and renewal of land use rights certificates, and vehicle registration. The policy, known as the 'Digital Citizen Development Resolution,' will be in effect from August 15, 2026, to February 27, 2027. The preferential benefits for each individual will be displayed on their personal account within VNeID, Vietnam's national electronic identification application. Citizens who utilize a VNeID account with level 2 electronic identification, integrated with five basic types of personal information including birth certificates, bank accounts, social security accounts, mobile phone numbers, and electronic health records, and who complete procedures through the online platform, will be exempt from fees for 10 key public services. Furthermore, three types of services with significant transaction values will receive discounts ranging from 10% to 100%. These include the registration fee for land and property transfers (10% discount), fire prevention and fighting design approval fees, and transaction registration fees for secured transactions. Specifically, registration fees for property, car, and motorcycle transfers will be discounted by 10%, 50%, and 100%, respectively. The primary objective of this policy is to encourage citizens to actively participate in the digital environment and to integrate personal data into national databases. VNeID is expected to serve as the platform supporting the execution and payment of public services, ensuring smooth processing of large transaction volumes. Additionally, the government is encouraging organizations and businesses to offer preferential treatments, such as discounts and promotions, for digital products and services to citizens who meet the criteria for level 2 electronic identification on VNeID.