CaliToday (10/10/2025): In a significant move aimed at accelerating its digital transformation, Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security has announced a groundbreaking proposal to integrate 188 different types of personal papers and documents into the national digital identity application, VNeID. This ambitious initiative seeks to streamline administrative procedures, reduce bureaucratic red tape, and create a centralized, secure digital wallet for every citizen.
The proposal marks a pivotal step in Vietnam's journey towards e-government and a fully digital society. If approved and implemented, the VNeID app would evolve from a digital identification tool into a comprehensive portal for a citizen's essential credentials.
A New Era of Convenience
The primary goal of the initiative is to eliminate the need for citizens to carry numerous physical documents. The 188 proposed items for integration span a wide array of personal records, including but not limited to:
Driver's Licenses
Vehicle Registration Certificates
Health Insurance Cards
Social Security Information
Birth and Marriage Certificates
University Diplomas and Professional Certifications
Land Use Rights Certificates
By consolidating these documents into a single, authenticated digital platform, citizens could conduct transactions with government agencies, banks, hospitals, and other institutions with unprecedented ease. For example, a routine traffic stop would only require presenting a QR code on the VNeID app instead of fumbling for a physical license and registration. Similarly, hospital admissions or job applications could be simplified by sharing verified digital credentials directly from the app.
Streamlining Administrative Processes
For government agencies, the integration promises a dramatic increase in efficiency. It would reduce the time and cost associated with manually verifying physical documents, minimize the risk of fraud from counterfeit papers, and create a more accurate and interconnected national database. This seamless data sharing between ministries and departments is expected to significantly shorten waiting times for public services and simplify complex procedures.
"The objective is to put the citizen at the center of our administrative reforms," a representative statement from the Ministry might explain. "We want to build a system where the government serves the people more effectively, and technology is the key to achieving that."
Challenges and The Road Ahead
While the proposal is being lauded for its forward-thinking vision, its implementation presents considerable challenges. Ensuring the absolute security of this vast repository of sensitive personal data will be paramount. The Ministry of Public Security will need to deploy state-of-the-art cybersecurity measures to protect against data breaches and unauthorized access.
Furthermore, ensuring digital inclusion for all citizens, including the elderly and those in rural areas with limited access to smartphones or digital literacy, will be a critical hurdle to overcome.
The proposal will now undergo a review process, requiring coordination and data-sharing agreements between numerous ministries, including Transport, Health, Education, and Natural Resources. A clear legal framework and a phased implementation roadmap will be essential for the project's success.
If realized, the integration of 188 documents into VNeID will not just be a technological upgrade but a fundamental transformation of how Vietnamese citizens interact with the state, positioning Vietnam as a leader in digital governance in the region.
