Photo: Collected
What is a passport with an electronic chip?
A passport with an electronic chip is a passport with an electronic device that holds the passport holder's encrypted information and the issuer's signature. This is a new improvement step to facilitate Vietnamese citizens, improve the efficiency of State management of immigration and meet the country's international integration requirements.
In addition, the chip stores biometric characteristics, photographs and personal information of citizens on passports. This makes the procedure for refining paper records, database management easier for both competent agencies and people in need.
How is an electronic chip passport different from a regular passport?
Similarities:
Compared to ordinary passports without chips (issued from July 1, 2022), passport models with chips are similar in size, color and page numbers: With a charcoal blue cover; the pages in print show the beautiful scenery of the country and cultural heritage of Vietnam.
Modern technology, meeting security requirements, preventing the risk of counterfeiting and meeting ICAO standards.
The differences:
The first cover of the passport has an electronic chip with an electronic chip symbol to distinguish it from the old model.
The electronic chip is placed on the back cover of the passport (in the lower left corner, it is difficult for the naked eye to detect this chip) to store the identity and biometric information of the passport holder (including face photo, fingerprint ...) and digital signature of the passport issuing authority.
At the identity page of the passport with the chip, the authorities added information about the place of birth of the citizen.
Is it mandatory to change to a passport with an electronic chip?
The police agency said that ordinary passports without electronic chips and ordinary passports with electronic chips are used in tandem. When applying for a passport, Vietnamese citizens aged 14 years and above have the right to choose whether to issue a passport without an electronic chip or a passport with an electronic chip.
Vietnamese citizens who have been issued ordinary passports without electronic chips will be allowed to continue to use them until the expiry of their passports, not required to change to passports with electronic chips.
What are the outstanding advantages of passports with electronic chips?
- E-passports not only store information written on paper such as: full name, date of birth, nationality ... but also capable of storing human biometric information such
as fingerprints, iris, face, blood type ... Because it is possible to save a lot of passengers' information accurately and uniformly in terms of format, immigration procedures in other countries will take place more quickly and easily, almost without wasting time for immigration control officers of countries to control, Verify the information on the passport because everything will appear quickly when reading the passport.
- Holders of passports with electronic chips will be given priority by the foreign side when processing entry visas. Currently, there are more than 100 countries and territories in the world using e-passports, because they store a lot of information in a unified format between countries.
- Passports with electronic chips have high information security, because stored in the chip, it is difficult to copy information. Therefore, electronic passports are more secure than regular paper passports, protecting passport holders against the risk of personal information theft; avoid counterfeiting.
- The issuance of e-passports not only facilitates people in immigration activities but also suits the e-Government to create a breakthrough in socio-economic development; enhance the position of Vietnamese passports, promote Vietnam's integration process in the region and the world.
What are the rules for passports with electronic chips?
In Clause 1 Article 2 of Circular 73/2021/TT-BCA stipulates passport models, travel documents and related forms
issued by the Minister of Public Security as follows:
- The cover of the outer side of the passport is printed with the national emblem, coat of arms and passport name; passports with electronic chips have electronic chip symbols;
- The pages of the passport show images of the beautiful scenery of the country and cultural heritage of Vietnam, combined with bronze drum motifs;
- The language used in the passport is: Vietnamese and English;
- Number of pages in the passport book excluding the cover: 48 pages for diplomatic, official and ordinary passports with a validity of 5 years or 10 years, for ordinary passports with 12 pages with a validity not exceeding 12 months;
- On the back cover of the passport attached the electronic chip is placed in the cover with the electronic chip attached;
- The passport cover is made from synthetic plastic materials, which are durable;
- Passport letters and numbers are punched by laser technology smoothly from page 1 to the back cover of the passport book and coincide with letters and numbers on page 1;
- All contents and images are printed in passports, made by modern technology to meet security requirements, prevent the risk of counterfeiting and meet ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standards.
There are currently the following 3 passport models: Diplomatic passport with sepia cover (HCNG form); official passport with a dark green cover (HCCV form); ordinary passport with a blue-purple cover (HCPT form).
What is the procedure for issuing a passport with an electronic chip?
Citizens can apply for an electronic passport with a chip in many different forms. Specifically, citizens with citizen identity cards have the right to choose where to apply for a passport at any Immigration Office of the police of the province or city that citizens find most convenient.
Those who still use their identity cards are required to apply for a passport with an electronic chip at the Immigration Office where their permanent or temporary residence is located.
In case the applicant applies for a passport from the 2nd time onwards, the place of passport issuance shall be selected at the Immigration Department or the Immigration Department of any provincial police.
In addition, in order to reduce administrative procedures and save time, citizens actively make passport application forms through the Public Service Portal of the Ministry of Public Security at the link: https://dichvucong.bocongan.gov.vn/
What is the deadline for returning results?
Citizens can pick it up directly at the immigration office or be delivered by the postal unit to the registered address and pay the delivery fee when receiving the passport.
Passports will be issued within 8 working days if checking in at local Immigration Offices, 5 working days if applying for passports at the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security.
Source: nhandan.vn
Hanoi will simultaneously surprise, charm and chew you up. Founded along the Red River, Hanoi was named Thang Long (soaring dragon) by Emperor Ly Thai To in 1010. Over a thousand years of war, natural disasters and new administrations, the city grew from swamplands into the charismatic capital it is today. Take in details of the ancient architecture, battle the barrage of millennials on motorbikes and drink fresh bia hơi in the Old Quarter. Here are 11 must-see stops in Hanoi.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Soldiers stand guard the entrance of Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum.
This commanding construction was built from 1973 to 1975 to house the embalmed body of Vietnam’s greatest political leader, Hồ Chí Minh. Visitors and Vietnamese queue for hours every morning to pay their respects to the cadaver, dressed in a khaki wardrobe and encased in a glass sarcophagus.
Admission: 35,000 VND
Hours: 8am - 11am, Tue-Thu, Sat-Sun (December to September) last entry at 10:15am
Address: So 1, Hung Vuong, Dien Bien, Ba Dinh
One Pillar Pagoda
The unique one pillar pagoda in the middle of a lotus pond.
This Buddhist wooden pagoda was built in the middle of a lotus pond on a single stone pillar by the Emperor Ly Thai To in 1049. Archives suggest it was built in honor of the Goddess of Mercy, who answered the Emperor's prayers for a male heir. The structure is designed to resemble a lotus flower blossoming from muddy waters, a symbol of purity in Buddhist philosophy.
Admission: 25,000 VND
Hours: 8am - 11:30am everyday, and 2pm - 4pm, Tue-Thu, Sat-Sun
Address: Chua Mot Cot, Doi Can, Ba Dinh
The Old Quarter
At the top of Hoan Kiem Lake, Dinh Tien Hoang 'roundabout' is a great starting point for exploring the alleys of the Old Quarter.
Hanoi’s historic Old Quarter is a single square kilometre comprised of 36 streets. Since the 15th century, each street has been home to artisans and craftsmen who traded in the specific merchandise for which their street was named. Today, the charm of these streets still remains. Prepare to marvel as you wander from silver street to bamboo street, silk street to decoration street, all within a stone's throw of each other.
TIP: At night, head down to bia hơi corner (the intersection between Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen) to sample sensational street food and bargain brews.
Admission: Free
Hours: 7am to midnight
Address: North of Hoan Kiem Lake
Hanoi Opera House
The Opera House is at the edge of Hanoi's French Quarter, where a few colonial buildings have been well preserved.
Constructed at the turn of the 20th century, this beautiful colonial building is the largest theater in Vietnam. After nearly 100 years of operation, the Opera House was carefully refurbished in 1997 and equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. Today the venue attracts renowned performers, productions and musicians.
TIP: Culture lovers should book tickets to see 'My Village' at the Opera House. This impressive showcase combines acrobatics, traditional dance and music.
Admission: 300,000 VND
Hours: Check the website for performances
Address: So 01, Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem
Vietnamese Women's Museum
This museum boasts a floor on textiles of ethnic groups, women's crucial role in wartimes and even their practices as mediums of the 'Mother Goddess' worship.
The Vietnamese Women’s Museum is one of the most modern museums in Vietnam. Housing a series of excellent exhibitions presenting artefacts, costumes, crafts, memoirs,and photographs from the past 100 years, the museum reveals the pivotal role of Vietnamese women in their country's history and society.
Admission: 30,000 VND
Hours: 8am - 5pm, Tue-Sun
Address: 36 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hang Bai Ward, Hoan Kiem
The Water Puppet Theatre
Live music is always performed alongside the puppeteering with traditional instruments and delicate vocals.
Dating back to the 11th century, water puppet performances are ideal for light entertainment and insight into Vietnamese folklore. Wading around in waist-deep water holding bamboo poles, puppeteers operate the lacquered wooden characters from behind a screen, reenacting scenes from rural village life.
Admission: 100,000 VND
Hours: 3:30pm, 5pm, 6:30pm, 8pm, 9:15pm every day, and an additional performance on Sundays at 9:30pm
Address: 57b Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem
Hoan Kiem Lake
Turtle Tower rests at the centre of 'the Lake of the Restored Sword.
Legend says Emperor Ly Thai To was gifted a magical sword by a giant golden turtle who lived in the lake in order to defeat the Ming dynasty. Once victorious, Ly Thai To gave the sword back to the turtle who dove down to return the sword to the gods. Hoan Kiem Lake is admired for its beauty as well as insight into the daily life of Hanoians. Watch locals practicing their daily exercise and Tai Chi routines in the gardens by the water's edge.
Admission: Free to the general public
Hours: Open all day
Ngoc Son Temple
The Ngoc Son Temple, or The Temple of the Jade Mountain, is situated on a small tree-sheltered island on the north side of Hoan Kiem Lake. Connected by a stunning scarlet bridge, this classic Vietnamese structure was built in honour of the intellectual scholar Saint Van Xuong, and national hero General Tran Hung Dao. In 1884, the Confucian scholar made a series of renovations to the site, including adding parallel sentences (câu đối) or word puzzles to the walls.
Admission: 20,000 VND
Hours: 7:30am - 5:30pm, every day
Address: Hoan Kiem Lake
Temple of Literature
The main gate of the nation's oldest university, be sure to visit during lunch time to avoid crowds.
Built by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong during the Ly dynasty, the Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu in Vietnamese) was erected in honour of the philosopher Confucius and his disciples in 1070. In 1076, it became home to Hanoi’s first university, Quốc Tử Giám. The site is one of the oldest in Hanoi and a national symbol of Vietnamese education and architecture. Today, the temple houses five court yards, records of Vietnamese scholars, and statues of turtles which are said to bring students good luck in their exams.
Admission: 30,000 VND
Hours: 8am - 5pm, from November until March; 7:30am - 6pm for the rest of the year, Tue-Sun
Address: 58 Quoc Tu Giam, Dong Da
Museum of Ethnology
The gardens feature traditional structures, including the communal houses of the Bahnar or Giarai ethnic groups which can reach up to 30 metres high.
This amazing museum examines the everyday life of Vietnam's 54 ethnic minorities. Designed by ethnic Tay architect Ha Duc Linh and French architect Veronique Dolfus, the museum hosts three main exhibition areas. Exhibitions display cultural costumes, handicrafts, videos and artefacts; while the outdoor space showcases impressive life-size replicas of ethnic architecture.
Admission: 40,000 VND
Hours: 8:30am - 5:30pm, Tue-Sun
Address: Nguyen Van Huyen, Nghia Do, Cau Giay
Saint Joseph's Cathedral
The cafes by the Cathedral are a perfect spot to watch the bustle of Hanoi.
Saint Joseph’s Cathedral (also known as Hanoi Cathedral), was built on the site of the Bao Thien Tower, which was the most famous landmark in the capital during the Ly Dynasty. The architect was inspired by the Neo-Gothic style of the Notre Dame de Paris. When visiting, expect to see a multicultural crowd of worshippers and plenty of Vietnamese newlyweds having romantic photo shoots.
Admission: Free
Hours: 8am - noon, 2pm - 6pm, every day
Address: 40 Nha Chung, Hoan Kiem
Source: Vietnam Tourism
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