Vietnam Bans Mandatory Presentation of Physical ID Cards if Integrated into VNeID from July 1

Effective July 1, 2024, Vietnam will prohibit requiring citizens to present physical identification documents for administrative procedures and public services if their information is already integrated into the VNeID electronic identification application. This provision is part of a law amending several articles of 10 laws related to security and order, which introduces new regulations concerning identification cards. Specifically, the law prohibits demanding citizens present identification documents integrated into VNeID for administrative procedures. An exception is made if the information provided by the citizen is inconsistent with the integrated data. Therefore, from July 1, individuals, agencies, and organizations are strictly forbidden from requesting citizens to present their identification cards if they have been integrated into VNeID when processing administrative procedures. The new law upholds the previously prohibited nine acts related to identification cards, such as unlawful retention, causing inconvenience or discrimination during administrative procedures, and intentionally altering the content of identification cards. The new law stipulates that if a citizen presents their electronic identification, the competent authority cannot ask them to present documents or provide information that has already been integrated into the electronic identification. The issuance, renewal, and re-issuance of identification cards will be conducted online via the public service portal, VNeID, or in person at the designated application sites. The identification management agency will use the most recently collected facial images, fingerprints, and iris scans, along with existing information, for re-issuance. Previously, district-level police handled the issuance, renewal, and re-issuance of identification cards. However, this will now be handled by the identification management agencies of provincial and city police departments, as well as commune/ward police and special administrative units, and the Ministry of Public Security's identification management agency. District-level procedures will be abolished. Currently, in the field of identification card issuance and management, the Ministry of Public Security has already abolished numerous procedures at the ministerial and provincial levels related to the collection and updating of biometric data such as DNA and voice into the identification database. Procedures for collecting and updating voice biometric information, integrating, updating, and adjusting information on identification cards, as well as procedures for individuals of Vietnamese origin whose nationality is undetermined, have also been abolished. In the area of electronic identification and authentication, the Ministry of Public Security has abolished procedures for issuing electronic identification accounts at the ministerial and provincial levels for foreigners, Vietnamese citizens, and organizations. Abolished procedures include the issuance of level 1 and level 2 electronic identification accounts for foreigners; level 2 electronic identification accounts and electronic identification cards for Vietnamese citizens; and electronic identification accounts for organizations. Source: VnExpress