Five international airports in Vietnam have officially put an automatic entry system (Autogate) into operation, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam.

The five are Da Nang, Noi Bai (Hanoi), Cam Ranh (Khanh Hoa province), Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City), and Phu Quoc.

The system will initially be accessible to all Vietnamese citizens holding chip-based passports.

Autogate comprises two layers. In the first, passengers scan their passports and boarding passes. Face recognition and fingerprint scanning then follows, eliminating the need for customs officers to stamp the passport.

The system will help facilitate immigration procedures and enhance security measures.

Autogate will not be applied to foreign passengers upon arrival just yet, but will be applied to their departure if they possess valid residence cards or temporary residence cards issued by authorized agencies.

The Ministry of Public Security plans to extend the application of the system to all entries and exits in the future after a two-year trial.