The Vietnamese government is set to initiate the collection of biometric data from its citizens starting in July, as mandated by amendments to the country’s Law on Citizen Identification. This move, directed by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, involves the acquisition of iris scans, voice samples, and DNA records for identification purposes.
Under the amended law, individuals aged 14 and above in Vietnam will be issued new ID cards incorporating biometric data, while those between 6 and 14 years old have the option to obtain them. The legislation, which passed on November 27 last year, permits the recording of blood type along with other DNA-related information in a national database shared across governmental agencies.
The Ministry of Public Security, tasked with overseeing the collection process, will collaborate with other government entities to integrate the identification system into the national database. The amendments outline the voluntary provision of biometric data by individuals or agencies involved in criminal proceedings or administrative measures.
Furthermore, the forthcoming identity cards are slated to consolidate various functions, serving as health insurance cards, social insurance books, driver’s licenses, birth certificates, and marriage certificates. Despite the ambitious scope of this initiative, safeguarding the privacy and security of the collected data remains a significant concern, given Vietnam’s sizable adult population of approximately 70 million individuals.
