Vietnam pushes forward mobile subscriber identity verification under Circular 08/2026/TT‑BKHCN, mandating complete real-name data for mobile numbers to crack down on irregular SIM cards and prevent telecom and online fraud. The work is led by VNTA (Vietnam Telecommunications Authority). The new rules require applicants for new SIM cards, users with conflicting information, and those replacing SIM cards or devices to complete four verification items: ID number, full name, date of birth and facial biometrics.
As of 30 June 2026, out of roughly 120 million mobile numbers in Vietnam, 93 million have passed verification and more than 60 million have completed facial biometric authentication. Through the VNeID application, users have reported over 1.6 million mobile numbers registered under their identities but used by other parties; these numbers are now under inspection and removal. Major carriers have deployed numerous fixed and mobile verification sites, offering home verification services for remote areas, the elderly and people with disabilities.
15 June marks the cutoff for service restrictions. Unverified numbers will go through phased enforcement: one-way suspension, two-way suspension and eventual number reclamation. Experts note biometric verification cannot fully eliminate fraud, yet it effectively curbs SIM registration via identity theft, forged documents and account hijacking for criminal activities. The standardized subscriber database facilitates carrier operations and SIM replacement for users, while boosting government capacity to combat cybercrime and laying solid communications security foundations for Vietnam’s digital transformation.
