Can children under 14 years of age go abroad by themselves in Vietnam?
Can children under 14 years of age go abroad by themselves in Vietnam? What is validity of regular passports issued to persons under 14 years of age in Vietnam?
Hello, my child is currently living with me in Vietnam, his father is abroad, now I want to let him fly abroad by himself to spend the summer with his father and practice his independence. Is it possible?
1. Can children under 14 years of age go abroad by themselves in Vietnam?
Pursuant to Article 33 of the Law on Entry and Exit of Vietnamese Citizens 2019, there are regulations on eligibility for exit as follows:
1. A Vietnamese citizen may make exit if he/she:
a) has entire and valid entry and exit documents; 6 months or more in terms of passport validity; and
b) has visas or documents confirming and verifying entry acceptance of destination country, except for cases of visa-free entry; and
c) is not listed under cases of prohibited from making exit, ineligible for making exit and suspended from making exit as per the law.
2. Incapacitated persons and persons with limited recognition and behavioral control as specified in Civil Code and persons under 14 years of age must be accompanied by authorized legal representatives in addition to conditions specified in Clause 1 of this Article.
Thus, according to the above provisions, children under 14 years of age in Vietnam when traveling abroad must be accompanied by authorized legal representatives. So your child will not be able to go abroad alone.
2. What is validity of regular passports issued to persons under 14 years of age in Vietnam?
Pursuant to Article 7 of the Law on Entry and Exit of Vietnamese Citizens 2019 has the following provisions:
1. Diplomatic passports and service passports shall be effective from 1 to 5 years; can be extended no more than 3 years per instance.
2. Validity of regular passports is as follows:
a) Regular passports issued to persons from 14 years of age shall be effective for 10 years and shall not be extended;
b) Regular passports issued to persons under 14 years of age shall be effective for 05 years and shall not be extended;
c) Regular passports issued by shortened procedures shall be effective for no more than 12 months and shall not be extended.
3. Laissez-passers shall be effective for no more than 12 months and shall not be extended.
According to this Article, regular passports in Vietnam issued to persons under 14 years of age shall be effective for 05 years and shall not be extended.
Best Regards!
