Starting December, Vietnam Airports To Launch Mandatory Biometric Check-In & Digital IDs; All About It

Travellers heading to Vietnam later this year should brace for a major change at the airport. Beginning December 1, 2025, the country will flip the switch on a new digital-first system that makes electronic IDs and biometric kiosks the norm for check-in, security, and boarding. In practice, that means no more long counters or manual document checks for most passengers. The journey through the airport will run through either the VNeID app, Vietnam’s national digital ID platform, or newly installed biometric kiosks.

Vietnam Introduces Digital ID System For Airports

According to Travel And Tour World, the rules carve out a small exception: if you’re carrying checked baggage or fall into a special category of travellers, you’ll still go through traditional counters. But for the vast majority, the airport experience will be automated end to end.

Imagine booking your ticket, walking into the airport, glancing at a kiosk, and gliding past security without pulling out a passport at every stage: that’s what the system is designed to deliver. Once travellers upload or confirm their biometric data in the VNeID app or at airport kiosks, the same information will unlock automated security lanes and boarding gates. 

For tourists and frequent flyers alike, this translates into less time in queues and a welcome shift, especially in Vietnam’s busiest hubs like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The flip side is that travellers will need to familiarise themselves with the VNeID app and be comfortable sharing biometric details as part of their trip.

Also Read: From Oman-China Direct Flights To Glass Beam Band’s UAE Debut In Dubai, 5 GCC Updates For You

What It Means For Your Trip?

This isn’t just an aviation project, it’s a cornerstone of Directive No. 24, signed by the Prime Minister to fast-track Vietnam’s digital transformation. By October 30, biometric systems are slated to be live at all airports. And the scope extends far wider: metro stations, parking lots, and transport hubs in major cities are also on the upgrade list. Eventually, the VNeID app will connect not just to travel services but also to finance, healthcare, and public administration, morphing into a one-stop digital key for everyday life.

Between September 15 and November 30, passengers will be nudged to try out the new system before it becomes mandatory. Expect airlines and airports to sweeten the deal with perks like discounts or priority access for those who opt in early.

If Vietnam is on your itinerary, don’t leave it to the last minute. Download the VNeID app, register your details, and use the transition period to get familiar with the process. By December, manual options will be limited, as stated by Travel And Tour World.

Also Read: Formula 4 Is Coming To Goa On South Asia’s First 3.2 Km Oceanfront Racing Circuit; All You Need To Know

For travellers, the payoff is clear: a quicker, more streamlined airport experience. For Vietnam, it’s a bold step toward positioning itself as a regional leader in digital travel and laying the groundwork for a future where one app ties together the entire journey.

Cover Image Courtesy: fgtrade/CanvaPro