On November 22, 2019, the National Assembly of Vietnam passed the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens (No. 49/2019/QH14).
The law, effective from July 1, 2020, regulates how Vietnamese citizens can obtain passports, travel abroad, and return to Vietnam, as well as circumstances where exit may be postponed.
This article summarizes the key provisions of the law in an easy-to-understand format.
1. General Principles
The law defines:
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Rights and obligations of Vietnamese citizens regarding exit and entry.
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Prohibited acts (using fake documents, illegally crossing borders, etc.).
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State management responsibilities in immigration.
👉 This ensures Vietnamese citizens can travel freely while maintaining national security and order.
2. Immigration Papers
Types of documents
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Ordinary passports
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Diplomatic and official passports
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International travel documents
Validity
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Ordinary passports: usually valid for 10 years.
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Diplomatic/official passports: valid according to assignment period.
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International travel documents: issued in special cases.
👉 The law specifies clear eligibility and conditions for each type.
3. Passport Issuance
Ordinary passports
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Issued domestically by the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security.
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Can also be issued overseas at Vietnamese embassies or consulates.
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Applications may be submitted online via the National Public Service Portal.
Diplomatic & official passports
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Reserved for government officials, diplomats, and special assignments.
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Managed strictly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and competent agencies.
👉 New point: The law introduces summary procedures for urgent cases, allowing faster issuance.
4. Revocation & Invalidation of Passports
Passports can be revoked or invalidated if:
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Reported lost or stolen.
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The holder renounces or is deprived of Vietnamese nationality.
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The holder commits prohibited acts related to immigration.
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Passports remain uncollected after 12 months without explanation.
👉 This helps prevent fraud and misuse of Vietnamese passports.
5. Exit & Entry Regulations
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Exit conditions: Citizens must hold valid passports and not fall under “exit postponement” cases.
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Entry conditions: Valid passport and compliance with Vietnamese law.
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Exit postponement: May apply if the citizen is under criminal investigation, serving a sentence, involved in civil disputes, or for national security reasons.
👉 The law also defines procedures, duration, and authorities for deciding exit postponement.
6. National Immigration Database
A national database on exit and entry of Vietnamese citizens has been established to:
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Store and manage immigration data.
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Ensure digital integration and electronic processing.
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Support e-Government reforms and better immigration management.
7. Responsibilities of State Agencies
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Ministry of Public Security: manages immigration and passport issuance.
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs: handles issuance abroad.
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Ministry of National Defense: oversees border security.
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Vietnamese representative missions abroad: assist citizens overseas.
The Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens (49/2019/QH14) provides a comprehensive legal framework for passport issuance, exit and entry conditions, and immigration management.
For Vietnamese citizens, this law means:
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Clearer rights and obligations when traveling abroad.
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Simplified passport procedures, including electronic applications.
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Greater protection of legal and security interests when facing special circumstances.
📌 For more details on Vietnamese immigration policies, visit our Immigration Law section