The Da Nang authorities have resumed the reception of applications for the issuance of chip-based citizen identification (ID) cards from residents after more than 2 weeks of suspension due to the COVID-19 threat.

Ngu Hanh Son District police process paperwork and applications for the issuance of chip-based ID cards, May 30. Photo: LE HUNG

The resumption came amidst the COVID-19 resurgence being contained effectively in the city, in a bid to realise the city’s target of issuing chip-based ID cards to over 411,300 eligible citizens across the city by 1 July.

For the time being, there are 34 mobile points and district-based one-stop shops for implementing mandatory procedures for chip-based ID cards across the city.

These venues have seen the strict practice of the 5K recommendations made by the Vietnamese Ministry of Health, namely khau trang (facemask), khu khuan (disinfection), khoang cach (distance), khong tu tap (no gathering), and khai bao y te (health declaration).

As requested, all arrivals to these points are required to strictly comply with the compulsory measures against COVID-19, including making health declarations, wearing facemasks, disinfecting their hands, keeping a safe distance from others, and joining the queue whilst waiting for their turns to have their applications handled. 

In particular, they are guided to declare their health status via online apps, namely on the Danang SmartCity app, the Zalo of the city’s switchboard 1022 or at https://bcdh.danang.gov.vn/web/guest/khai-bao. Messages contain QR codes which are scanned for confirmation.

Captain Tran Huu Phuoc, the leader of a police team handling applications for issuance of ID cards in Thanh Khe District, said all of the team’s members always wear medical gloves and anti-drop glasses when performing their duties and keep a safe distances with applicants.

Through computer manipulation steps, the police officers handle mandatory portrait photography for applicants who must take off their masks, without coming into direct contact with them.

Currently, the number of people applying for the ID card is very small, only about 80 people/day/point in Thanh Khe District due to their fears over the COVID-19 threat, said Captain Phuoc.

Since March 15, when the city started its ID card issuance campaign, the local police have received more than 580,000 dossiers for the granting of chip-based ID cards from eligible citizens, reaching over 77%.

Ngu Hanh Son District police are seen taking fingerprint samples of citizens, May 30. Photo: LE HUNG

Major General Vu Xuan Vien, Director of the municipal Police Department, stressed the important role of the leaders of residential quarters in encouraging the remaining eligible citizens to have their applications for the issuance of chip-based ID cards handled.

Focus, in the coming time, will be on speeding up the process of receiving applications and ensuring that no permanent citizens are missed and not told to apply for cards.

Chip-based ID cards only differ from previous versions in the addition of an electronic chip, while other information, including the ID number, will remain unchanged. The smart card, which is designed to be encrypted, will store facial recognition features, fingerprints, and anthropometry.

The chips can store 20 personal data fields, and have a high security level so they cannot be falsified easily.

Once the mandatory portrait photography is completed, the applicants have their fingerprint samples taken.

Taking pictures and taking fingerprint samples normally take only from 2-3 minutes. However, taking fingerprint samples of senior citizens requires a longer time as theirs are blurred. After completing the procedures, police officers give printed information sheets for people to sign for certification.

Reporting by LE HUNG, XUAN DUNG – Translating by A.T