October 9, 2025Oct 9 Photo courtesy of [source] Vietnam's government has introduced a draft decree to grant electronic identification (e-ID) accounts to foreign residents, enhancing digital governance and administrative reform. The Ministry of Public Security is seeking feedback on this initiative, which targets both local and foreign citizens engaged in electronic identification, authentication, and digital citizenship activities. This move marks an effort to integrate foreign residents into Vietnam's National Identification Application. Notably, the decree outlines the creation of social welfare benefit accounts, which consolidate personal, banking, and payment information to streamline disbursement of state benefits like pensions and insurance. Foreigners over six years old, residing legally in Vietnam for more than 90 days or holding long-term visas, can request e-ID accounts. The regulations remain consistent for Vietnamese citizens, with eligibility for e-ID accounts starting at age 14. Both Vietnamese and foreigners abroad can continue using their accounts on an internationally connected platform. The decree also proposes integrating data from national databases to update and share personal and organizational documents within the electronic system. To address current limitations, the draft revises the rule that locks e-ID accounts when identification cards expire. Now, it will simply hide outdated information, informing users to update it without locking the entire account. The decree further proposes reducing processing times for electronic authentication service certificates by 30%, in alignment with administrative reform policies. Feedback on the draft will be collected for 10 days through the Ministry of Public Security’s portal. The goal is to establish a more efficient and user-friendly national electronic identification system. Key Takeaways Vietnam's draft decree enables foreign residents to obtain e-ID accounts. New regulation includes social welfare benefit accounts for streamlined payments. Expiring ID cards will only have outdated info hidden, not entire account locked. Click here for more Vietnam stories Adapted by ASEAN Now from Vietnam News 2025-10-09
October 10, 2025Oct 10 Yesterday, there was an article in the Thai media about PM Anutin expressing concern that Viet Nam was moving ahead of Thailand (or was that Thailand is falling behind Viet Nam?). Here we have an example of why Viet Nam is powering ahead, while Thailand is stuck in relatively slow down spiral. For memory, if you are expat who owns property in Thailand you can get a Pink Card; if you do not own property and are not married to a Thai national, you cannot. I wonder how much longer before Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar move ahead of Thailand?
October 10, 2025Oct 10 27 minutes ago, JimHuaHin said: For memory, if you are expat who owns property in Thailand you can get a Pink Card; if you do not own property and are not married to a Thai national, you cannot. I have a Pink Card, but I don't own property. Married to Thai citizen. Each Amphur makes up their own set of rules on requirements to get a Pink Card.
October 10, 2025Oct 10 Sometimes I wonder if it would be better there. The crap airport is a big turnoff for me. If you can't manage an airport successfully and the scams and corruption all around it then it makes me wonder about the rest of their systems. Thailand has had ID for foriegners for years by the way.
October 10, 2025Oct 10 5 hours ago, sikishrory said: Sometimes I wonder if it would be better there. The crap airport is a big turnoff for me. If you can't manage an airport successfully and the scams and corruption all around it then it makes me wonder about the rest of their systems. Thailand has had ID for foriegners for years by the way. 1) Which airport? Vietnam has several lol. 2) The Thai ID card for foreigners still doesn't have a chip and is completely useless for any online/e-ID use unlike the ID card for Thai citizens. So Vietnam is in fact ahead.
Create an account or sign in to comment