May 29, 2026 · Vietnam
Vietnamese Passport Photo Requirements 2026 – Department of Immigration Rules
Vietnam's Cục Quản lý Xuất nhập cảnh (Department of Immigration, Ministry of Public Security) issues the Vietnamese chip passport (Hộ chiếu) using ICAO biometric standards. This guide covers the official photo specifications, the new blue passport design introduced in 2021, and the important difference between the passport photo and the Căn cước công dân national ID card process.
Quick summary
35×45mm, white background, neutral expression, no glasses, both eyes fully visible, taken within 6 months. Vietnamese chip passport with blue cover introduced in 2021.
Core Photo Requirements
The following specifications apply to all Vietnamese passport (Hộ chiếu) applications and renewals at immigration offices within Vietnam and at Vietnamese embassies and consulates abroad.
- Size: 35mm wide × 45mm tall (ICAO standard).
- Background: Plain white. No shadows, patterns, or colour gradients. The background must be uniformly white.
- Expression: Neutral. Mouth closed. Both eyes fully open and directed at the camera.
- Glasses: Not permitted. The Department of Immigration follows the ICAO standard prohibiting all eyewear in biometric passport photos.
- Recency: Taken within 6 months of the application date.
- Colour: Full colour only.
- Head position: Facing directly forward. Head must be level; tilted or turned positions are not accepted.
- Head coverings: Permitted only for religious or medical reasons, provided the full face from chin to crown is fully visible.
- Retouching: No digital filters or alterations to your appearance.
New Vietnamese Passport Design (Blue Cover, 2021)
Vietnam introduced a new passport design with a distinctive blue cover in 2021, replacing the previous dark green design. The new passport includes updated security features and a biometric chip storing the holder's facial image and fingerprint data in line with ICAO Doc 9303.
The photo specifications — 35×45mm, white background, neutral expression, no glasses — are the same for both the old and new passport designs. If you hold an older green passport, the same requirements applied at the time of issue. All new applications and renewals will receive the blue cover passport.
Some countries briefly did not accept the new Vietnamese passport due to the absence of a "place of birth" field. This was a separate administrative matter unrelated to photo requirements, and most countries have since updated their systems.
Căn cước công dân (National ID Card) vs Passport Photo
Vietnam's national ID card (Căn cước công dân gắn chip) and the Vietnamese passport both use ICAO biometric photo standards, but they are processed separately. The Căn cước công dân photo is captured live at a police station (Công an) or provincial administrative office — you do not submit a printed 35×45mm photo for the ID card. The passport photo requirements in this guide apply to the Vietnamese passport issued by the Department of Immigration only.
Vietnamese Passport vs Căn cước công dân
| Document | Photo size | Background | Glasses | Capture process |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇻🇳 Vietnamese Passport (Hộ chiếu) | 35×45mm | White | No | Printed/digital photo submitted |
| 🪪 Căn cước công dân gắn chip (ID card) | Live capture on-site | Controlled | No | Live capture at Công an / admin office |
Always verify current requirements with the official authority in Vietnam.
Common Rejection Reasons for Vietnamese Passport Photos
Glasses or eyewear visible
Remove all glasses before the photo. This includes prescription frames and reading glasses.
Background not plain white
Use a uniformly white background. Avoid off-white, cream, or coloured backgrounds.
Shadow on the face or background
Stand at least 1 metre from the background wall. Use even front lighting.
Photo older than 6 months
Retake the photo within 6 months of your application or renewal date.
Head tilted or not facing directly forward
Position the camera at eye level. Face directly forward with the head level.
Digital filters or beauty retouching applied
Submit the photo without any digital filters, skin smoothing, or appearance alterations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a Vietnamese passport photo?
Vietnamese passport photos must be 35×45mm (width × height), following the ICAO biometric standard. The face must be centred, fully visible from chin to crown, with a neutral expression and both eyes fully open.
Can I wear glasses in a Vietnamese passport photo?
No. The Cục Quản lý Xuất nhập cảnh (Department of Immigration, Ministry of Public Security) requires passport photos without glasses. This follows the ICAO biometric standard. Remove all eyewear before the photo is taken.
What is the new Vietnamese passport design introduced in 2021?
Vietnam introduced a new passport design with a blue cover in 2021. This replaced the previous dark green design. The photo specifications — 35×45mm ICAO, white background, no glasses — remain the same across both the old and new designs.
Is the Căn cước công dân (national ID card) photo the same as the passport photo?
Vietnam's Căn cước công dân gắn chip and the Vietnamese passport both use ICAO biometric photo standards, but they are processed separately. The Căn cước công dân photo is captured live at a police station (Công an) or provincial administrative office — you do not submit a printed 35×45mm photo for the ID card.
Where can Vietnamese citizens apply for a passport?
Vietnamese citizens can apply at the Department of Immigration (Cục Quản lý Xuất nhập cảnh) in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, or at provincial immigration offices. Citizens living abroad can apply at a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate General.
How long is a Vietnamese passport valid?
Vietnamese passports are valid for 10 years for adults, and 5 years for children under 14. A new photo meeting all ICAO requirements is required with each application and renewal.
Always verify current requirements with the official authority — Cục Quản lý Xuất nhập cảnh (xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn) or your nearest Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate General. Requirements may be updated without notice.
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