Over 44,000 electronic ID accounts given to foreigners in Vietnam during a 50-day period
Vietnam's Immigration Department has made significant strides in its digital transformation agenda with the issuance of Level-2 electronic identification (e-ID) accounts to foreign nationals. This move, part of a 50-day campaign led by the Ministry of Public Security, marks a major advance, allowing foreigners in Vietnam to complete administrative procedures online.
The drive forms part of the ministry's Plan 370/KH-BCA-V01, which aims to reduce reliance on residence cards, simplify administrative procedures, and support the government's national digital transformation agenda. Decree 69 on e-ID issuance, enacted to align with this policy, has been instrumental in this achievement.
As of August 19, a total of 50,809 applications were processed by immigration units nationwide, resulting in 33,601 activated accounts on the national digital identity app VNeID. However, 10,325 applications remain pending.
The issuance of these e-ID accounts is not just a step towards digitalisation, but also a significant improvement in government oversight of immigration. The e-ID system helps build unified digital profiles for foreign residents, providing a more efficient and organised system for tracking and managing immigrant populations.
The move towards administrative reform creates a friendlier and more efficient environment for expatriates living and working in Vietnam. The effort to review, digitise, and update the National Immigration Database is part of the ongoing provincial administrative restructuring under Resolution 202/2025/QH15. This move reduces paperwork, enhances transparency, and improves security and data protection.
To facilitate this process, fifteen working groups were deployed to assist local police in installing software, configuring systems, and providing technical support. A nationwide public information campaign was also launched, including more than 20 broadcasts on national television channels like VTV1 and VTV4, around 80 news articles in major outlets such as the News Agency's publications, and over 435 updates shared via social media platforms like Zalo and Facebook.
In early July, 43,926 level-2 e-ID accounts were issued to foreign nationals in Hà Nội. This review and compilation aimed to clean up and digitise data for the National Immigration Database. Issuing level-2 e-ID accounts aligns with the State's digitalisation policy, furthering the government's commitment to modernising its administrative systems.
This advancement not only benefits foreign residents, but also Vietnamese citizens, as it paves the way for a more streamlined and efficient immigration system. The ongoing efforts in digital transformation are expected to continue, bringing about further improvements in the ease of doing business and the quality of life for all residents in Vietnam.
