The Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security starts issuing passports with electronic chips for Vietnamese citizens from early March.

A passport with an e-chip attached to its back cover stores encrypted information of the passport holder and the signature of the issuer, aiming to facilitate travel and raise the efficiency of state management in immigration and meet the country’s requirements in international integration.

Apart from the holder’s written information such as name, date of birth and nationality, the passport also shows his/her biometric information like fingerprint scan, face and blood type, which helps to accelerate customs procedures.

In addition, all content and images printed in passports are used by modern technology to meet security requirements, prevent the risk of counterfeiting and meet the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

Ordinary passports with and without e-chips will be used simultaneously.

Vietnamese citizens above 14 years of age are free to choose either passport on their application forms.

Reporting by M.Q - Translating by M.DUNG