To allow biometric authentication in aviation in Vietnam as of February 15, 2024

To allow biometric authentication in aviation in Vietnam as of February 15, 2024 (Internet image) 

Regarding this issue, LawNet would like to answer as follows:

On December 29, 2023, the Minister of Transport issued Circular 42/2023/TT-BGTVT amending a number of articles of Circular 13/2019/TT-BGTVT and Circular 41/2020/TT-BGTVT amending a number of articles of Circular 13/2019/TT-BGTVT on elaboration of Vietnam’s aviation security program and aviation security quality control

1. To allow biometric authentication in aviation in Vietnam as of February 15, 2024

Specifically, Circular 42/2023/TT-BGTVT amends Clauses 1 and 2, Article 41 of Circular 13/2019/TT-BGTVT on aviation security inspection of passengers and their carry-on baggage on departure as follows:

- Each airline shall be only allowed to agree to transport and let a passenger board if:

+ He/She has his/her boarding pass and identity documents (or his/her electronic identity information having the same validity as that of identity documents) specified in the Appendix XIV hereof; are compared against their documents (or his/her electronic identity information having the same validity as that of identity documents or biometric authentication data) and boarding pass to make sure that the passenger, his/her documents and boarding pass match.

+ He/She and his/her baggage have undergone security inspection.

+ Passengers with checked baggage, except for the cases specified in clause 3 of this Article, must be present at the check-in counter to drop their baggage. The check-in agent shall compare passengers against their boarding passes or tickets and identity documents (or their biometric authentication data electronic identity information having the same validity as that of identity documents), and ask them about their baggage. In case of any suspicion, notify the person in charge of the aviation security checkpoint. Checked baggage of each passenger, including passenger in a group shall be checked in individually instead of in group

Thus, from February 15, 2024, airlines' check-in agents can check and compare electronic identity information that holds legal equivalence to personal identification documents or biometric authentication data of passengers to ensure the consistency between passengers' identities, documents, and flights.

2. Are passengers allowed to authorize another person to follow check-in procedures on his/her behalf in Vietnam?

According to Clause 3 of Circular 13/2019/TT-BGTVT, a passenger may authorize another person to follow check-in procedures on his/her behalf in the following cases:

- The mission is composed of a member of the Politburo, member of the Party Central Committee, alternate member of the Party Central Committee, Minister and the equivalent or higher positions, Secretary or Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of province or central-affiliated city; President of People’s Council, President of People’s Committee of province or central-affiliated city; Deputy Minister of Transport; Deputy Minister of Public Security; Deputy Minister of National Defense; Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Director of Operations of General Staff, Chief and Deputy Chief of General Political Department of Vietnam People's Army;

- The director of the airports authority shall decide and take responsibility for emergency cases.

Nguyen Ngoc Que Anh

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