VNeID Level 2: What It Is and How to Activate It

VNeID level 2 is the full version of the electronic ID account run by the Ministry of Public Security. You can only activate it in person at a police office, and you need your chip-based citizen ID card. Level 1 you can set up yourself in the app. Level 2 takes a short visit.

What VNeID is

VNeID is the official app of the Ministry of Public Security for electronic identification. In August 2022 the Prime Minister named it the national digital citizen app. It was part of Project 06, the national plan on population data, digital identification and electronic authentication.

The app holds your electronic identity. Since 20 October 2022, a government decree on electronic identification has let citizens show their electronic identity information instead of the chip-based citizen ID card in many cases, such as when they complete administrative procedures.

Sources: Thanh Nien, 9 August 2022; Thanh Nien, 19 October 2022.

Level 1 and level 2 in plain words

There are two levels of account. They differ in what they can do and in how you set them up.

Level 1 is the basic account. You can register online, using your chip-based citizen ID card. It covers basic uses such as public services for residence registration, temporary residence registration and temporary absence declarations.

Level 2 is the full account. It supports all the functions in the app. Examples include showing a driver's licence, a vehicle registration and a health insurance card, and paying bills, social insurance and health insurance.

From 1 July 2024, the electronic ID itself is tied to level 2. People with a level 2 account see their electronic ID in the app, and the ministry says it has the same legal value as a physical card. If you only have level 1, you do not get these features.

Sources: Thanh Nien, 19 October 2022; VnExpress, 26 June 2024.

How to activate level 2

The police say level 2 must be done in person. It needs your photo and your fingerprints, so nobody can do it for you. Here is the usual order of steps.

1. Install the VNeID app from the App Store on iPhone or from CH Play on Android. Use no other source.
2. Set up your level 1 account with your chip-based citizen ID card and your phone number.
3. Go to the police office of your commune or ward, or the nearest one where you live. Take your citizen ID card and your phone.
4. Give your photo and fingerprints to the officer.
5. Wait for the result. Processing can take up to 3 working days. You get the result in the app.

Check the opening hours of your local office before you go. Procedures can differ a little between places, so follow the officer's instructions.

Sources: Tuoi Tre, 19 March 2024; VnExpress, 26 June 2024.

The risks to watch

The main risk is fraud. In March 2024 the police warned about a scam. Callers pretended to be police officers and said you must install VNeID to activate level 2. They sent victims to a fake website and a fake app.

Once the fake app was on the phone, the scammers could take control of it. Some victims lost money from their bank accounts. One victim lost about 1.5 billion VND in three transfers.

Use these rules to stay safe:

• Never activate level 2 over the phone or by a link. It is done in person.
• Install VNeID only from the App Store or CH Play.
• The national public service portal is at dichvucong.gov.vn only. It has no phone app, so anyone who tells you to install one is a scammer.
• If your phone screen goes black or you cannot control it, call your bank hotline at once to lock your account. Then change your online banking password and report it to the nearest police station.

Also keep your login details private. If you think your account was misused, report it to the police.

Sources: Tuoi Tre, 19 March 2024.

Should you activate level 2?

It depends on what you need. If you only want basic public services, level 1 may be enough. If you want to show your electronic ID, carry your licence and insurance card in the app, or use its payment functions, you need level 2.

Think about your phone too. Level 2 gives the app access to more of your identity, so use a screen lock and keep the system updated. Do not share your account with family members or friends.

Rules for the app are still changing, so check the Ministry of Public Security's own channels for updates before you go. This is general information, not legal advice.

Sources: Thanh Nien, 19 October 2022; VnExpress, 26 June 2024.

Sources

• Thanh Nien, 9 August 2022, VNeID named the national digital citizen app: https://thanhnien.vn/vneid-la-ung-dung-cong-dan-so-quoc-gia-1851486470.htm
• Thanh Nien, 19 October 2022, electronic identification under the decree: https://thanhnien.vn/tu-2010-nguoi-dan-viet-nam-chinh-thuc-co-them-mot-loai-can-cuoc-cong-dan-1851512305.htm
• Tuoi Tre, 19 March 2024, police guidance and scam warning: https://tuoitre.vn/gia-cong-an-huong-dan-cai-app-vneid-dom-lua-lay-tien-ti-20240318224720091.htm
• VnExpress, 26 June 2024, electronic ID on VNeID from 1 July: https://vnexpress.net/hien-thi-can-cuoc-dien-tu-tren-vneid-tu-1-7-4762838.html