[Video] Locals Flock to Saigon Police Office for New 12-Digit ID Cards

Last Tuesday, hundreds of Saigonese turned up at the office of the police's administrative management division to apply for new 12-digit identification (ID) cards, which are set to replace the old nine-digit cards.

In a video from VnExpress, locals await their turn as authorities input personal information into a fancy new computer system, which includes electronic fingerprinting. 

The reaction to this new 12-digit ID is generally positive in the video, as locals are keen to have more substantial ID cards – one man mentions that the old ones fall apart in the rain – though many admit it was slow going at the police department that day.

The switch to new IDs was announced earlier this month, the online news outlet reports, with officials encouraging local residents to apply for the 12-digit cards, which are said to be more durable and compact than the previous ones. 

In addition, the new 12-digit numbers will now follow Vietnamese citizens throughout their life, helping to streamline bureaucratic processes among agencies. All citizens over 14 are eligible to apply for the new IDs.

Once all the necessary paperwork is complete, the new cards will be available in seven days. Though application for the new cards is currently not required – Vietnamese citizens are free to keep their nine-digit IDs, which are valid for 15 years – all locals will eventually make the change to 12-digit numbers.