Guide to VNeID Registration for Foreigners in Hanoi and Future Outlook

1. What is VNeID?

VNeID (Vietnamese: Định danh điện tử) is an electronic national identification application provided by the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam. It aims to digitize and centrally manage information for Vietnamese citizens and foreigners residing in Vietnam, such as personal information, residency information, driver's licenses, vehicle registration certificates, health insurance cards, and tax identification numbers on a smartphone application.

VNeID is a core tool for promoting digital transformation in Vietnamese society, and it is expected to be used in the future for identity verification, information provision, and simplifying procedures in various aspects of administrative processes and daily life.

2. In what cases do foreigners need to register for VNeID?

VNeID registration for foreigners began on July 1, 2025. While it is not currently fully mandatory, for foreigners residing in Vietnam, especially long-term residents and workers, registration is becoming practically essential.

• Long-term residents, especially TRC (Temporary Residence Card) holders: VNeID serves as a foundation for managing personal information electronically, and it is expected that TRC renewals and other administrative procedures will become smoother.

• Adapting to the digitization of administrative procedures: The Vietnamese government is promoting the digitization of administrative procedures, and VNeID will likely be widely used as a means of identity verification for various online applications and procedures.

• Identity verification for services such as opening bank accounts: It is explicitly stated that VNeID Level-2 accounts can also be used to verify personal information in banking transactions, making them an important tool for these procedures.

• Workers in Vietnam (Work Permit holders): As detailed in the "Future Outlook" section below, it is extremely likely that this will become mandatory for workers.

3. VNeID registration procedure in Hanoi (based on actual experience)

When registering for VNeID in Hanoi, proceed with the following steps.

Preparation 1: Confirm temporary residence registration at the local police station

• First, please confirm that your temporary residence registration has been completed at the local police station where you reside.

• It may be smoother to have your local police station prepare a referral letter certifying the completion of your registration and bring it with you (though this is not a mandatory requirement).

Preparation 2: Confirm the registered name of your phone number

• Please confirm that your phone number registered in your own name within Vietnam is linked to your passport information. If you requested a third party to purchase the SIM card and it is registered in someone else's name, you must either complete a name change procedure at the carrier's office or register a new number in your own name.

Registration Location: Hanoi Police Department, Immigration Division (44 Phạm Ngọc Thạch, Đống Đa, Hà Nội)

Step 1: Document verification in Room 101

• Once you enter the building, head to Room 101 on the left.

• No queue numbers are distributed in this room; procedures are handled in the order of arrival.

• The left half of the booths is for foreigners.

• The following documents and information are required here:

  • Filling in information on the pre-designated form TK01 (full name, passport number, date of birth, phone number in your own name in Vietnam, email address in your own name, and the address registered for temporary residence)

  • Passport

  • TRC (Temporary Residence Card)

  • Phone number in your own name in Vietnam

• Your documents will be verified. At this time, it will also be checked whether your phone number is linked to your passport.

• Once verification is complete, your documents will be returned along with a reference number for the procedure in Room 106. With this, you will leave Room 101 and move to Room 106, located on the left.

Step 2: Photo capture, fingerprint registration, and final verification in Room 106

• Upon entering Room 106, first tell the staff member on the right side of the entrance your number, and have your photo taken (if you are wearing glasses, please remove them).

• After the photo is taken, wait until your number is called.

• When your turn comes, hand your documents to the officer.

• The officer will enter your information into the system, and you will be given a copy of the entered details. Confirm that there are no errors, and sign the signature field on the back.

• After signing, fingerprints of the four fingers on your right hand and the four fingers on your left hand, and finally the fingerprints of both thumbs will be taken to complete the procedure.

Required time: If it is not crowded, the procedure is expected to be completed in about 30 minutes, including waiting time.

Regarding the registration completion notification

• After the registration procedure is completed, the VNeID registration completion notification is said to arrive within a minimum of 3 business days and a maximum of 7 business days.

• The notification will be sent within the VNeID app, via SMS (short message) to the registered phone number, or to the registered email address.

• After receiving the notification, you must activate your account in the VNeID app within 7 days. If this period passes, the account may be temporarily disabled, so please perform the activation promptly once the notification arrives.

4. Future Outlook: VNeID to become essential for foreigners residing in Vietnam

VNeID is the foundation for strongly promoting Vietnam's digital society, and for foreigners who live and work in Vietnam long-term, it is highly likely to become an essential tool in the future.

1. Impact on banking transactions: Since it is clearly stated that a Level-2 VNeID account can be used for identity verification in banking transactions, it is highly likely that without it, receiving salary or making deposits and withdrawals from banks could become difficult or impossible for foreigners. Vietnamese banks have tightened identity verification in recent years, and as VNeID becomes the standard method, it is expected that those who are not registered will face significant inconvenience.

2. Impact on work permit holders: Foreigners working in Vietnam (those who obtain work permits) generally hold a TRC (Temporary Residence Card), and the VNeID app has the functionality to store electronic TRCs and other legal documents. There are also cases where foreigners who are corporate representatives of companies are required to possess a Level-2 VNeID. As many administrative procedures related to employment (tax payment, social insurance, health insurance, etc.) become linked to VNeID in the future, VNeID registration will likely become a de facto mandatory requirement for work permit holders.

3. Integration into daily life: In the future, it is expected that VNeID will be used as a means of identity verification and authentication in all aspects of daily life, such as airport check-ins, medical consultations, use of public transportation, and access to online services. As a result, foreigners without VNeID may find themselves unable to enjoy various services and conveniences.

Based on the above points, it is considered that VNeID's status for foreigners residing in Vietnam will shift from being just a "convenient app" to an "essential infrastructure" that forms the foundation of life and work. We strongly recommend early registration.

This summary was created through a dialogue with Google's free AI assistant, "Gemini".