Vietnamese passports of all types would be embedded with electronic chips containing biometric information of holders.
This proposed by the Ministry of Public Security in a draft Law on Immigration which has been recently released for public opinion.
 |
| Carrying out procedures for passport grant at the Immigration Division of the Hanoi Public Security Department__Photo: VNA |
Biometric information stored in an electronic chip includes the fingerprints, photos and personal identity information of the passport holder and the digital signature of the passport-issuing agency.
Under the draft, the national database on Vietnamese citizens’ immigration would be connected to national databases on population, citizen identification, crimes, citizenship, etc., so as to facilitate the sharing, use, and processing of information relating to Vietnamese citizens’ immigration.
Worthy of note, the draft adds a new type of travel document - temporary passport, which would be as valid as an ordinary passport and granted to a Vietnamese citizen who (i) goes aboard for a definite term and wishes to return home immediately but his passport is lost or expired, (ii) has his immigration application rejected by foreign authorities and applies for permission to return to Vietnam but has no valid passport, (iii) has his immigration application rejected and is deported under decision of foreign authorities, (iv) has to return to the country under a treaty on readmission of citizens signed between Vietnam and the host country, or (v) needs a temporary passport for national defense and security purposes under the Minister of Public Security’s decision.
Temporary passports would be issued by Vietnamese overseas diplomatic missions after reaching agreement with the Ministry of Public Security’s immigration management agency. A temporary passport will be valid for one year and might not be extended.
Meanwhile, laissez-passers would be granted to Vietnamese citizens wishing to travel to bordering countries under bilateral agreements or other countries under treaties which Vietnam has acceded to.- (VLLF)
