VNeID: Vietnam's Digital ID App - What Foreigners Need to Know

What VNeID Actually Is

VNeID is an official app developed and managed by the Ministry of Public Security (Bo Cong an). It is not a third-party wallet or convenience app - it is a government-issued identity credential that is legally equivalent to presenting the physical document in most contexts.

When you open VNeID, it displays:

• Your photo
• Your ID number (CCCD number for Vietnamese citizens, TRC number for foreign nationals)
• Your full name, date of birth, and nationality
• Document validity dates
• A real-time QR code that authorities and institutions can scan to verify your identity directly against the Ministry of Public Security database

The QR code refreshes regularly and cannot be screenshotted to impersonate, making it more secure than a physical card in some respects.

Can Foreigners Use VNeID?

Yes - foreign nationals holding a valid TRC can register for VNeID.

This was formalised under Circular 17/2024/TT-BCA from the Ministry of Public Security, which extended the VNeID registration framework to foreign nationals with long-term residency in Vietnam. The rollout to foreigners accelerated through 2025 and is now operational across all provinces.

Foreign nationals on shorter-stay visas (tourist, business, e-visa) cannot register for VNeID. You need a valid TRC.

What VNeID Is Accepted For

Once registered, your VNeID can be used in place of your physical TRC for:

Government services:

• Police registration (tam tru, tam vang) checks
• Administrative procedures at People's Committees
• Court and notary identification requirements
• Tax authority identification

Daily life:

• Hotel and guesthouse check-in (hotels are required to accept VNeID)
• Domestic airport check-in - Vietnam Airlines, VietJet, Bamboo, and Pacific Airlines all accept VNeID boarding
• SIM card registration and replacement
• Some hospital and clinic admissions

Financial services:

• Bank account verification and KYC at major Vietnamese banks (Vietcombank, BIDV, Techcombank, and others have integrated VNeID scanning)
• Some insurance providers
• Property transaction identification (increasingly accepted, though some notaries still require physical documents - confirm case by case)

Important limitation: VNeID does not replace your passport for international border crossings or for transactions that specifically require your passport (such as certain visa-related processes or consular services).

How to Register for VNeID as a Foreign National

Registration requires an in-person visit - you cannot complete it remotely.

Step 1: Download the VNeID app Available on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android). Search "VNeID" - the official app is published by Cuc Canh sat quan ly hanh chinh ve trat tu xa hoi (C06), Ministry of Public Security.

Step 2: Visit your local police station Go to the ward or district police station (Cong an phuong/quan) where you are registered as residing (tam tru). Bring:

• Your original TRC card
• Your passport
• Your phone with VNeID installed

Step 3: Biometric verification An officer will verify your identity, scan your TRC and passport, capture a live facial scan linked to your TRC number, and complete the registration on their system.

Step 4: Activate your account You will receive an SMS or in-app notification to activate your account. The process typically takes 1-3 working days after the in-person visit before your digital ID is active in the app.

Cost: Free. No government fee for VNeID registration.

VNeID Levels: Level 1 vs Level 2

VNeID has two verification levels, and this matters:

| Level | What it means | What it unlocks | |

|

|

| | Level 1 | Basic identity verified against national database | Most daily-use functions - hotels, transport, basic banking | | Level 2 | Full biometric verification with live facial scan linked to chip-based ID | Higher-trust transactions - financial services, notary, government applications |

Foreign nationals registering at a police station are typically issued Level 2 VNeID if their TRC contains a chip (all TRCs issued after 2023 are chip-based). Older TRC holders may be issued Level 1 initially and can upgrade when renewing their TRC.

The Broader Picture: Vietnam's Digital ID Transition

VNeID is part of Vietnam's National Digital Transformation Programme, which has set a target of eliminating paper-based processes for most government services by 2026. Alongside VNeID, the government has deployed:

• VssID - digital social insurance book
• VHI - digital health insurance card
• The national population database - which VNeID draws identity data from in real time

The practical consequence for expats: government offices and banks increasingly expect digital verification. Having VNeID set up means fewer trips to bring physical documents and faster processing at most counters.

What VNeID Does Not Replace

A few situations still require your physical documents or passport:

• International travel and border crossings
• Initial TRC applications and renewals (the physical TRC must still be issued)
• Certain notary transactions where some offices have not yet updated their systems
• Consular and embassy transactions
• Employment contracts requiring physical passport copy

Already Have a TRC? Set It Up Now

If you have a valid TRC, there is no good reason to delay VNeID registration. The in-person registration takes under 30 minutes, and the payoff - not needing to carry your physical TRC for most daily interactions - is immediate.

If you are in the process of getting your TRC, add VNeID registration to your to-do list for the week you receive your card.

Published April 2026. VNeID functionality and acceptance continues to expand. Confirm with specific institutions whether they accept VNeID for your particular transaction.