Is it possible to use the Citizen Identity Card to travel to ASEAN countries soon? What are the procedures for issuing the Citizen Identity Card?
Can citizens use their ID cards to travel to ASEAN countries in the near future?
According to Clause 1, Article 3 of the Law on Citizen Identification 2014, the citizen identification card is understood as basic information regarding a citizen’s identity and personal background as stipulated by the Law on Citizen Identification.
According to information at the 21st session of the National Assembly Standing Committee, ASEAN countries are striving to unify identification documents. Specifically, ASEAN is working towards visa-free travel similar to the European community. This implies that Vietnamese citizens may be able to use their citizen identification cards to travel within the ASEAN region.
The condition to achieve this goal is that 100% of Vietnamese citizens must have citizen identification cards. Therefore, in the near future, once this condition is met, citizens may travel within ASEAN using their citizen identification cards.
Simultaneously, if citizen identification can be quickly issued to 100% of Vietnamese citizens, it will facilitate various processes, particularly in finding lost children or identifying accident victims more easily.
Currently, ASEAN countries include Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Can citizens use their ID cards to travel to ASEAN countries in the near future? What is the procedure for issuing a Citizen Identification Card? (image from the Internet)
Can the Citizen Identification Card replace a passport?
According to Article 20 of the Law on Citizen Identification 2014 regarding the value of the citizen identification card:
The value of the Citizen Identification Card
1. The Citizen Identification Card is a personal identification document of Vietnamese citizens which serves to prove the citizenship of the cardholder for transactions within the territory of Vietnam.
2. The Citizen Identification Card can be used in place of a passport when Vietnam and a foreign country have signed a treaty or international agreement allowing their citizens to use the Citizen Identification Card instead of a passport within each other's territory.
3. Authorized agencies, organizations, and individuals can request citizens to present their Citizen Identification Cards to verify identity and the information stipulated in Article 18 of this Law; they can use the personal identification number on the Citizen Identification Card to check the information of the cardholder in the national population database and specialized databases according to regulations.
When a citizen presents their Citizen Identification Card at the request of an authorized agency, organization, or individual, that authority cannot require the citizen to present additional documents to certify the information stipulated in Clauses 1 and 3 of this Article.
4. The state protects the legitimate rights and interests of the cardholder according to the law.
As stated in Clause 2, Article 20 of the Law on Citizen Identification 2014, the citizen identification card can be used in place of a passport in cases where Vietnam and a foreign country have signed a treaty or international agreement allowing their citizens to use the citizen identification card instead of a passport within each other's territory.
Who is eligible to receive a Citizen Identification Card?
According to Article 19 of the Law on Citizen Identification 2014 regarding eligible recipients of the Citizen Identification Card:
Individuals eligible to receive a Citizen Identification Card and its number
1. Vietnamese citizens aged 14 and older are eligible to receive a Citizen Identification Card.
2. The Citizen Identification Card number is the personal identification number.
Thus, Vietnamese citizens aged 14 and older are eligible to receive a Citizen Identification Card.
What is the procedure for issuing a Citizen Identification Card?
According to Article 22 of the Law on Citizen Identification 2014, the procedure for issuing a Citizen Identification Card includes:
- Filling out the form as prescribed;
- The person tasked with collecting and updating information and documents as stipulated in Clause 2, Article 13 of the Law on Citizen Identification 2014 checks and compares the information from the national population database to accurately identify the individual needing the Citizen Identification Card; if the citizen does not have information in the national population database, they must present legal documents with the necessary information as prescribed.
Individuals serving in the People’s Army or People’s Police must present the identification issued by the respective forces along with an introduction letter from their unit commander;
- The officers of the citizen identification management agency will take photographs and collect fingerprints of those completing the procedures;
- The officers of the citizen identification management agency will issue a receipt indicating the date and location for retrieving the Citizen Identification Card as stipulated in Article 26 of the Law on Citizen Identification 2014; in cases where the citizen requests the card delivery at a different location, they must bear the delivery service fee.
LawNet