Vietnam will issue ordinary passports with electronic chips for its citizens from March 1, according to the Ministry of Public Security’s Immigration Department.

A passport with an e-chip attached to its back cover stores encrypted information about the passport holder and the signature of the issuer.

Their introduction is aimed at facilitating travel and raising the efficiency of State management over immigration and at meeting the country’s requirements in international integration.

Apart from the holder’s written information such as name, date of birth, and nationality, the passport also shows his or her biometric information like fingerprints, face, and blood type, which help accelerate customs procedures.

Moreover, those with the passport will be prioritized by foreign agencies in visa granting.

More than 100 countries and territories worldwide are using e-passports.

Ordinary passports with or without e-chips will be used simultaneously. Vietnamese citizens over 14 years of age can choose to be issued either passport.