At the headquarters of the provincial Immigration Management Department, a steady stream of foreigners has arrived in recent days to apply for level-2 digital identification.

Among them was Azizskandar Bin Awang, a 1982-born Malaysian national and Executive Chef at the Villa Le Corail cluster under Gran Melia Hotel (Nha Trang branch), who arrived early in the morning with his colleagues to complete the required procedures.

Azizskandar was guided through every step by officers, from completing personal information forms and having his photo and fingerprints taken, to verifying his registered mobile number and personal email address.

He said that his temporary residence card is valid until September 30, 2026. Through friends, he learned that level-2 digital ID accounts offer several benefits such as easier verification for banking transactions, electronic storage of residence cards and other documents, and quick, secure access to public services. “The officers here provided enthusiastic support and interpretation, helping me complete the process with ease,” he said.

Similarly, French national Yves Michel Raymond Plumyoen, born in 1959, who has lived in Vietnam for three years and is married to a Vietnamese citizen in Bac Nha Trang ward, said that he came to the Immigration Department to apply for a level-2 digital ID account, hoping it will make future procedures smoother. “The officers were very helpful and open, and the whole process was quick. I’m very satisfied.”

Leaders of the Khanh Hoa provincial police have instructed the Immigration Management Department to coordinate with local police units at the ward and commune level to increase outreach and encourage foreigners to register for level-2 digital ID accounts. The 50-day campaign runs from July 1 to August 19 and operates seven days a week, including Saturday and Sunday.

To streamline the process, two application centres have been set up at 47 Ly Tu Trong street in Nha Trang ward and 287 21/8 street in Bao An ward.

Eligible applicants include foreign nationals aged six and above with valid permanent or temporary residence permits, a Vietnamese mobile number registered in their name, and a personal email address. The processing time is capped at three working days for applicants whose information is already in the national immigration database, and seven working days for those without pre-existing data.

Lieutenant Colonel Huynh Duc Trung, Vice Director of the Immigration Management Department, emphasised that level-2 digital ID accounts enable foreigners to complete online administrative procedures more efficiently - saving time, reducing paperwork, and limiting in-person contact. He noted that these accounts not only support legal residency, investment and daily living, but also ensure identity verification and protection of lawful rights while in Vietnam.

Once issued, the level-2 digital ID integrates multiple functions, allowing users to access digital services such as bank verification, tax transactions, temporary residence declarations, financial operations and public services through the VNeID app—safely and conveniently. To date, over 500 foreigners in Khanh Hoa have registered for the service.

Nonetheless, challenges remain. Some applicants lack a registered Vietnamese mobile number, use unverified SIM cards, or do not have a personal email address. In such cases, police officers have provided clear explanations and guided applicants on how to complete the required documents.

The issuance of level-2 digital IDs is not only a requirement on state management, but also offers substantial practical benefits for both foreigners and businesses, particularly in Khanh Hoa, a province that attracts large numbers of foreign tourists, residents and professionals. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of local police officers, the campaign is steadily progressing, contributing to improved state management and deeper international integration.

Pilot of eID accounts for air passengers to start from June 1

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) on May 31 asked agencies to pilot the use of level 2 electronic identification (eID) authentication for air passengers at airports nationwide from June 1.