What is the Identity Card?
The Identity Card is stipulated in the Law on Identity Cards, Law No. 26/2023/QH15, issued on November 27, 2023, and takes effect from July 1, 2024. This card will replace the old citizen identity card and will incorporate more integrated information.
According to Point 11, Article 3 of the 2023 Law on Identity Cards, the identity card is a type of personal identification document for Vietnamese citizens, issued by the public security agency. It contains identity information, including basic information such as personal information, background, biometric identity, and other integrated information.
The information on the identity card will include two types of information:
(1) Information printed on the card includes: Photo, identification number, full name, middle name at birth, date of birth, gender, place of birth registration, nationality, and residence.
(2) Information encoded in the QR code printed on the back of the card includes: Biometric information such as facial image, DNA, fingerprints, and iris data.
The identity card serves as both a personal identification document and proof of the rights and responsibilities of citizens towards the state. It can be used for administrative procedures, public services, transactions, and other activities requiring identity verification within the territory of Vietnam.

In which mandatory cases must the CCCD be replaced with an identity card?
Article 24 of the Law on Identity Cards stipulates the following cases for the issuance of a new identity card:
– The cases specified in Clause 1, Article 21 of this Law (Vietnamese citizens who have been issued an identity card must apply for a new card when they reach the ages of 14, 25, 40, and 60. Identity cards issued or renewed within two years before reaching these ages are valid until the next age group for renewal.)
– Changes or corrections to information about surname, middle name, or given name at birth; date of birth; or gender reassignment surgery
– Altered appearance; additional facial image or fingerprint information; or gender reassignment
– Errors in the printed information on the identity card
– At the request of the cardholder when information on the identity card changes due to administrative unit rearrangement
– Re-establishment of the individual identification number
– Other cases as requested by the cardholder
Additionally, the following cases require the reissue of an identity card:
– Loss or damage to the identity card, except for cases specified in Article 21 of this Law
– Regaining Vietnamese nationality according to the Law on Vietnamese Nationality
The following cases require the reissue of an identity card:
– Loss or damage to the identity card, except for cases specified in Article 21 of this Law
– Regaining Vietnamese nationality in accordance with the Law on Vietnamese Nationality
Article 46 of the Law on Identity Cards stipulates the transitional period from the old identification cards to the new ones as follows:
1. Identity cards issued before the effective date of this Law are valid until the expiration date printed on the card, except for cases specified in Clause 3 of this Article. Citizens may apply for a new identity card if they wish to do so.
2. Identification cards that are still valid until after December 31, 2024, will remain valid until that date. Any legal documents that have been issued using information from these identification cards remain valid. State agencies shall not require citizens to change or adjust information related to these identification cards in the documents that have already been issued.
3. Identity cards and citizen identification cards that expire between January 15, 2024, and June 30, 2024, will remain valid until June 30, 2024.
4. Provisions on the use of identity cards and citizen identification cards in legal documents issued before the effective date of this Law shall apply to the identity cards stipulated in this Law until those legal documents are amended, supplemented, or replaced.
According to the above provisions, currently, only those whose citizen identification cards are still valid and do not fall under the cases mentioned in Article 24 of the Law on Identity Cards can continue to use their old cards and are not required to replace them with the new identity cards.
Thus, the information stating that from May 15, 2025, citizens must switch to using the new Identity Cards and cannot use the old Citizen Identification Cards is incorrect. The switch is optional, and those whose Citizen Identification Cards are still valid can continue to use them.
Is It Mandatory for Citizens to Switch to the New ID Card from May 15, 2025?
As of May 15, 2025, there has been a mandatory shift towards the use of the new identification document, the ‘Citizenship Identification Card’. This means that the previous ‘Citizen Identity Card’ will no longer be valid for identification purposes. This change is being implemented to streamline identification processes and enhance security measures. It is important for individuals to stay informed and ensure they have the correct, up-to-date documentation to avoid any inconveniences.