Mobile users can self-verify their SIM card ownership on VNeID.
Mobile users can now verify their subscriber identity through VNeID, according to new regulations effective from April 15th.
Instead of being dependent on mobile network operators, from now on, people are empowered to proactively verify their current phone numbers through the VNeID application.
The new regulations are included in Circular 08/2026 issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology on March 31st, aiming to tighten control over SIM cards registered to unregistered owners – a major cause of spam messages, spam calls, and various fraudulent activities in recent times.
In fact, many SIM cards registered in previous periods may have been lent out or transferred without updating the owner's information. These numbers pose a risk, as they could be exploited for illegal activities without the knowledge of the registered owner.
The new policy allows citizens to look up all the phone numbers registered under their name. From there, they can verify which numbers are currently in use and remove numbers that are not registered or are no longer in use by reporting them through VNeID.
After receiving the information, the telecommunications company will contact the subscriber whose number is being reported, requesting verification and completion of the registration process within 5 days. If they fail to do so, their service will be immediately blocked for outgoing calls. If they continue to fail to rectify the issue, the service will be blocked for both incoming and outgoing calls and the contract will be terminated.
However, not all users need to re-verify. Subscribers who have used their phone number to register for a level 2 VNeID account, or used it to register for a national identity card or chip-embedded citizen ID card, will be exempt, unless they change devices after June 15th.
Another noteworthy point is the regulation regarding device changes. From June 15th, when users switch to a new device, they must re-authenticate using biometrics. If this is not completed, outgoing calls and text messages will be temporarily suspended.
This regulation aims to address the situation where users lose or misplace their SIM cards but don't have time to block them, creating loopholes for malicious actors to exploit. It's also a technical solution to combat the buying and selling of pre-activated SIM cards. Adding biometric authentication is a necessary solution, similar to how banks are currently implementing measures to enhance security.
Previously, to address the issue of unregistered SIM cards, regulatory authorities implemented various solutions such as the Telecommunications Law 2023 and Decree 163/2024, requiring subscriber information to match population data, while clearly defining the responsibilities of both businesses and users.
Circular 08/2026 is the next step towards the goal of linking each phone number to a unique and verified identity. With this new policy, citizens have more tools to protect themselves without having to perform many steps. The majority of the verification, reconciliation, and data processing procedures will be carried out by telecommunications companies in coordination with relevant authorities.