On June 24, 2023, Vietnam’s National Assembly approved significant amendments to the Law on Entry and Exit of Vietnamese Citizens. These changes, effective from August 15, 2023, modernize passport issuance, strengthen management of lost or unclaimed passports, and promote digital transformation in immigration services.
This article summarizes Article 1 of the amendments in an easy-to-understand way.
1. Passport Information and Requirements
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More details in passports: Information now includes photographs, full name, gender, place/date of birth, nationality, passport number, issue & expiry dates, issuing authority, ID numbers, and diplomatic/service titles (if applicable).
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International compliance: Vietnam recognizes other travel papers prescribed by international treaties it is a signatory to.
👉 This update ensures greater accuracy and standardization of Vietnamese passports.
2. Passport Issuance – Domestic and Overseas
Domestic issuance (inside Vietnam):
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Applicants must submit their valid passport (or a loss report if lost), birth certificate for minors under 14, and authorization documents for incapacitated persons or children.
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Applications can be filed in person or electronically via the National Public Service Portal.
Overseas issuance (Vietnamese embassies & consulates):
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Applicants must provide their last valid passport (or loss notice), ID/Citizen card if information has changed, birth certificate for minors, and authorization documents where applicable.
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Applications can be submitted directly at Vietnamese representative offices abroad.
👉 New point: Overseas passport issuance is simplified with Article 16 (1a), making it easier for Vietnamese citizens abroad to renew passports.
3. Lost, Cancelled, or Unclaimed Passports
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Lost passports: Holders must report the loss within 2 working days (longer in force majeure cases) to the immigration authority, police, or Vietnam’s overseas representative offices. Reports can also be submitted online.
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Cancellation: Authorities must cancel the lost passport within 1 working day of report confirmation.
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Unclaimed passports: If a passport is not collected within 12 months from the appointment date and no written explanation is provided, it will be cancelled.
👉 This change reduces misuse of lost passports and strengthens border security.
4. Special Cases: Rejected Residency Abroad
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Vietnamese citizens whose residency applications are rejected by foreign countries can still be issued passports.
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In urgent humanitarian cases, overseas representative offices may issue passports within 2 working days if sufficient identification is available.
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In other cases, the representative office must seek verification from Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security, which may take up to 30 days.
5. Digital Transformation in Immigration
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The amendments emphasize digital government services:
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Passport applications and temporary residence declarations can be made electronically.
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Vietnam now uses specialized digital signature authentication for electronic-chip passports.
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👉 This will make the process faster, more transparent, and aligned with global standards.
6. Strengthened International Cooperation
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Vietnam will continue to expand international treaties on entry, exit, and repatriation, especially for citizens with rejected residency abroad.
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Coordination with the Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of National Defense, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs is prioritized to handle cross-border issues.
The 2023 amendments to Vietnam’s immigration law modernize the way passports are issued and managed, ensure digital integration, and align with international standards.
For Vietnamese citizens, the key takeaways are:
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Simplified passport issuance inside and outside Vietnam.
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Faster processing of lost or unclaimed passports.
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Longer-term adoption of e-Government services in immigration.
📌 For foreigners: These legal updates indirectly benefit travelers by improving the overall immigration system, security, and efficiency.