Image from Vietnam News/ANN
HANOI, Feb 18 (Xinhua): Vietnam will issue passports embedded with electronic microprocessor chips containing biometric information from March, so as to facilitate international travel for its citizens, local media have reported.
The Nhan Dan (People) newspaper cited a statement by the Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security as saying that an electronic chip, which will be embedded in the booklet jacket of the paper passport, holds the holder's personal information including biometric data such as fingerprints and facial scans.
The main advantage of the electronic passport is greater security as the data digitally stored in the chip is more difficult to replicate than information printed on a traditional passport, making it harder for fraudsters and criminals to travel on false identity documents.
The authorities said the new passports will be rolled out in compliance with stringent standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in terms of data security.
Having this new type of passport means the holder can enjoy a quicker and easier process at airports.
The introduction of the new type of passport is also expected to facilitate international travel for Vietnamese citizens as many governments have required travelers to hold biometric passports to gain entry at the destination country.
More than 100 countries and territories currently issue electronic passports, according to the ICAO. - Xinhua
