1. What is an ID Card?

The "Citizen ID Card" as defined in Clause 1, Article 3 of the Law on Identification 2024, effective from July 1, 2024, contains basic information about an individual's identity, background, and biometric data. Thus, the Citizen ID Card is essentially a primary identification document for Vietnamese citizens, clearly stating and containing all personal information.

From July 1, 2024, Vietnam will transition from issuing citizen ID cards to issuing ID Cards. Therefore, to ensure consistency in this article, the term "ID Card" will be used interchangeably with "Citizen ID Card" to align with current legal regulations.

2. What are the benefits of having an ID Card for overseas Vietnamese?

Compared to previous forms of identification, the current ID Card offers several advantages, such as the ability to integrate various citizen information, including links to health insurance data, social insurance records, driver's licenses, birth certificates, marriage certificates, or other documents as determined by the Prime Minister. Therefore, the benefits of having an ID Card for overseas Vietnamese include:

• The ID Card serves as a legal means to confirm nationality and identity for overseas Vietnamese in situations requiring personal identification.
• The ID Card can validate other integrated information for administrative procedures, public services, transactions, and other activities within Vietnam.
• The ID Card can be used instead of immigration documents when Vietnam and foreign countries sign treaties or international agreements allowing citizens of those countries to use their ID Cards instead of immigration documents within each other's territories.

3. What are the conditions for overseas Vietnamese to apply for an ID Card in Ho Chi Minh City?

Article 19 of the 2023 Law on Citizen Identification stipulates the following regarding who is eligible to be issued an ID Card:

• An ID Card is issued to Vietnamese citizens.
• Vietnamese citizens aged 14 years and older must complete the procedures to obtain an ID Card.
• Vietnamese citizens under 14 years old can be issued an ID Card upon request.

Additionally, according to Clause 1, Article 5 of the 2008 Law on Nationality, individual with Vietnamese nationality is considered a Vietnamese citizen. Therefore, as long as overseas Vietnamese retain their Vietnamese nationality, they have the right to apply for an ID Card in accordance with legal regulations.

4. Where can overseas vietnamese apply for an ID card in Ho Chi Minh City?

According to Article 27 of the 2023 Law on Citizen Identification, citizens can choose from the following locations to apply for, renew, or replace their ID Cards in Ho Chi Minh City:

• The management agencies for issuing ID Cards in Ho Chi Minh City are located at the police departments of districts and towns where citizens reside. The specific addresses are listed below:

• The management agency for Citizen ID Cards in Ho Chi Minh City:

Address: 258 Tran Hung Dao, Nguyen Cu Trinh ward, district 1, Ho Chi Minh city.

• Ministry of Public Security: For cases decided by the head of the identification management agency of the Ministry of Public Security.
• If necessary, identification management agencies at the district or provincial level may organize procedures for issuing ID cards at communes or residences of citizens.

5. What is the procedure for overseas Vietnamese to apply for an ID Card for the first time in Ho Chi Minh City?

According to Article 25 of the 2023 Law on Citizen Identification and Article 21 of Decree 70/2024/ND-CP, the procedures for obtaining an ID Card for the first time in Ho Chi Minh City are as follows:

Step 1: Request for an ID Card

Citizens must go directly to the Police agency of the district or city in Ho Chi Minh City where they reside, or to the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department, to request an ID Card. They need to provide information including their full name, personal identification number, and residence address so that the document recipient can verify this information against the National Population Database.

If citizens are applying through the National Public Service Portal or the Ministry of Public Security's Public Service Portal, they should select the service, check their information in the National Population Database, and if everything is accurate, register for a time and place to apply for a chip-mounted ID Card. The system will automatically forward their request to the relevant police agency.

If there are inaccuracies or missing information in the National Population Database, citizens must correct this information according to Article 6 of Decree 70/2024/ND-CP before applying for an ID Card.

Step 2: Receive application for ID Card

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Step 3: Photo and fingerprint collection

The officer will describe the citizen's physical characteristics, take a photo, and collect fingerprints to print on the ID Card information receipt, which the citizen will review and sign. The portrait photo for the ID Card application must be in color, with a white background, taken from the front, with the head uncovered, clearly showing the face and both ears, and without glasses. The attire and demeanor should be formal and respectful.

In cases where citizens belong to a religious or ethnic group, they are allowed to wear their religious attire or traditional clothing. If they have a head covering, it may remain in place as long as the face and both ears are clearly visible.

Step 4: Receive results

Citizens will pay any applicable fees and then receive a receipt indicating when they can collect their ID Card. They can collect it at the police agency where they submitted their application at the specified time or have it sent via postal service (with delivery fees paid by the citizen).

6. How long does it take for overseas Vietnamese to apply for an ID Card in Ho Chi Minh City?

According to Article 26 of the 2023 Law on Citizen Identification: "Within 7 working days from the date of receiving a complete application as stipulated by this Law, the identification management agency must issue, renew, or replace the ID Card." Therefore, overseas Vietnamese will receive their ID Card within 7 days from when they complete their application process in Ho Chi Minh City.

7. What is the cost for overseas Vietnamese to apply for an ID Card in Ho Chi Minh City?

For overseas Vietnamese applying for an ID Card for the first time, there is no fee required, as stipulated in Clause 2, Article 5 of Circular 59/2019/TT-BTC dated August 30, 2019, issued by the Minister of Finance regarding the collection, payment, and management of fees for issuing ID Cards.

For other procedures related to obtaining an ID Card, according to Clause 1, Article 1 of Circular 43/2024/TT-BTC, the fee for issuing Citizen ID Card from July 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, will be set at 50% of the fee specified in Article 4 of Circular 59/2019/TT-BTC. Accordingly, except for cases that are exempt from fees or do not require payment as per Circular 59/2019/TT-BTC, the fee structure is as follows:

• Conversion from 9-digit or 12-digit Identity Cards to ID Card: 30,000 VND per card.
• Replacement of ID Card due to damage or changes in personal information (name, gender, etc.): 50,000 VND per card.
• Reissuing an ID Card due to loss: 70,000 VND per card.

8. Questions related to overseas Vietnamese and ID Card

a. Are overseas Vietnamese with dual nationality eligible for an ID Card?

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b. Can overseas Vietnamese apply for an ID Card while abroad?

Individuals must be present in Vietnam to submit their application in person, take photographs, and provide fingerprints. If you are living abroad and cannot return immediately, you may ask a relative to assist with initial procedures; however, you still need to be in Vietnam for the photo and fingerprint collection.

c. Is makeup allowed when taking photos for the ID Card?

The regulations for taking photos for the ID Card do not prohibit makeup; however, it should be applied lightly. The image on the ID Card is used for personal identification, so it must clearly show the facial features.

Here are some tips for applying makeup when taking photos for the ID Card:

• Avoid overly white foundation that creates a color mismatch between the face and neck;
• Use natural makeup with minimal powder or heavy eyeliner;
• Avoid bright lipstick colors.

d. What circumstances allow for the exchange or reissuance of an ID Card?

Article 24 of the 2023 Law on Citizen Identification outlines the circumstances under which an ID Card can be changed or reissued. The conditions are as follows:

Cases for changing the ID Card:

• The ID Card must be changed when the citizen reaches the ages of 25, 40, and 60;
• Changes or corrections to the surname, middle name, given name, or date of birth;
• Modifications to physical characteristics, addition of facial photos or fingerprints, gender reassignment, or changes in gender as per legal provisions;
• If there are errors in the information printed on ID Card;
• At the request of the cardholder when there are changes due to administrative unit arrangements;
• When a new personal identification number is assigned;
• At the request of the individual holding the ID Card.

Cases for reissuing the ID Card:

• If the ID Card is lost or damaged and cannot be used;
• If the individual is restored to Vietnamese nationality according to Vietnamese nationality law.

e. Can an ID Card replace a passport for international travel?

According to Clause 2, Article 20 of the 2023 Law on Citizen Identification, the value of the ID Card (also known as the Citizen Identification Card) is as follows: "The ID Card can be used instead of immigration documents in cases where the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and foreign countries have signed treaties or international agreements allowing citizens of those signatory countries to use their ID Cards instead of passports within each other's territories."

Based on this regulation, the ID Card can serve as a substitute for a passport when Vietnam and another country have entered into treaties or international agreements that permit citizens of the signatory countries to use their ID Cards in place of passports for entry into each other's territories. Therefore, the ID Card does not hold universal validity as a replacement for passports for entry into all countries worldwide; it can only be used as a substitute for a passport when entering countries that have bilateral agreements with Vietnam regarding this issue.

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