On 5 September 2022, the Government issued Decree No. 59/2022/ND-CP (“Decree 59”) providing for electronic identification and authentication which will officially take effect from 20 October 2022. This Decree includes regulations on electronic identity, electronic identification, electronic authentication as well as the rights and obligations of electronic authentication service’s users; responsibilities of relevant agencies, organizations, individuals;...

What is electronic identity account?

At the moment, to make it easier to manage information in the electronic environment, the State will assign each individual and organization a separate identity (electronic identity). The registration, verification, creation and association of an electronic identity with an entity (including individuals and organizations) is called electronic identification. According to Decree 59, an electronic identity account refers to a collection of username, password or other authentication methods and is created by the electronic identification and authentication regulator.

Who is eligible to be granted access to electronic identity account?

According to Decree 59, individuals and organizations eligible to be granted access to electronic identity accounts include: Vietnamese citizens who are 14 years of age or older; Vietnamese citizens who are under 14 years of age or wards may share the same eID accounts with their parents or guardians; Foreigners aged 14 years or older who enter in Vietnam; foreigners who are under 14 years of age or wards may share the same eID accounts with their parents or guardians; Agencies or non-person entities that are founded or successfully register their operation in Vietnam.

What does the data of the electronic identity account include?

The electronic identity accounts of individuals and organizations must ensure that they include important basic informations to be able to identify themselves. In particular, personal electronic identity accounts are divided into 2 levels with different information and use values. Level 1 personal electronic identity account include the following information:

• Personal identity number;
• Full name;
• Date (day, month, year) of birth;
• Gender.

For foreigner, informations such as number, symbol, date, month, year, type of document and place of issue of passport or international travel document is also required. Level 2 personal electronic identity account have full personal information which is similar to Level 1, in addition to biometric information such as portrait photos, fingerprints.

For electronic identity account of organization, its information include:

• Electronic identity code;
• Organization’s name, including Vietnamese name, abbreviated name (if any) and international name (if any);
• Date of establishment (day, month, year);
• Headquarter address;
• Personal identity number, full name of the legal representative/the head of the organization.

What are the benefits of using electronic identity account?

Electronic identity accounts are used to log in and use features and utilities on VneID and the electronic identity information page. The electronic identity account is used to carry out public administrative procedures in the electronic environment and other activities due to the needs of the electronic identity subject. Each type of electronic identification account has its own value. For Level 1 personal electronic identity account, the account is valuable in proving information in activities and transactions that require the provision of personal information.

For Level 2 personal electronic identity account of a Vietnamese citizen, the value will be equivalent to the citizen's identity card as well as providing information in the citizen's documents that have been synchronized into the electronic identification account for comparison when presenting such documents. For foreigner, electronic identity account has the same value as the use of passports or international travel documents in conducting transactions. For organization, it is valuable in proving identity as well as providing information in the organization's documents to be synchronized into an electronic identity account for comparison by competent agencies and organizations.