If you are planning to open a bank account or renew a credit card in Southeast Asia this week, the process just got a lot more personal. Starting January 5, 2026, Vietnam has officially implemented Circular 45/2025, a landmark regulation that makes biometric verification mandatory for all bank card activities.
While this is a massive win for security, it creates a new “friction point” for travelers and locals alike. At FixMyCard.com, we’re breaking down what this means for your wallet and how to avoid having your transactions frozen.
1. What is Circular 45? (The “Face-to-Face” Mandate)
Unlike previous years where you could often open an account entirely via a mobile app, the 2026 rule requires a much higher level of proof.
- In-Person Requirement: For new card issuances, banks must now conduct a face-to-face meeting to match your physical “liveness” with your identity documents.
- Biometric Syncing: Your fingerprint or facial data must be verified against the National Population Database (VNeID) or the chip embedded in your ID.
- E-Wallet Freeze: This isn’t just for plastic cards. Popular e-wallets (like Momo or ZaloPay) are also now required to verify users biometrically before allowing full transaction access.
2. Why Travelers are Getting “Hard Declines”
If you are a foreigner in Vietnam, you might notice your card works for physical “taps” but fails for online shopping or Grab rides. This is often because:
- Digital Transaction Block: Under the new rule, cards can only be used for electronic (online) transactions after the successful biometric sync.
- Residency Link: Your card’s validity is now strictly tied to your legal stay. If your visa is for 3 months, your card’s “Electronic Permission” may expire exactly on your visa end-date.
3. The 3 Steps to Unlock Your Card
If your card is restricted, don’t just keep trying the transaction (which can lead to a permanent block). Follow these steps:
- Update your VNeID (Level 2): If you are a resident, ensure your VNeID app is updated to “Level 2” verification. This is the “Master Key” for all 2026 banking.
- The “Liveness” Test: Open your bank’s mobile app (Vietcombank, Techcombank, etc.). Most have added a “Biometric Update” button. You will be asked to blink, smile, and turn your head to prove you aren’t a deepfake.
- Visit a Branch (The Expats’ Fix): If you are a foreigner without a chip-based National ID, you must visit a physical bank branch with your passport and visa to have your biometric data manually recorded and whitelisted.
Regional Comparison: Biometric Mandates 2026
| Country | Mandatory Biometrics? | Threshold for Verification | Key System |
| Vietnam | Yes (Jan 5, 2026) | All Card Issuances | VNeID / Circular 45 |
| Thailand | Yes | Transfers > 50,000 THB | Face Scan / PromptPay |
| Indonesia | Rolling Out | SIM & Bank Linkage | NIK / Face Biometrics |
| Singapore | High-Risk Only | New Device / Large Transfers | Singpass Face Verification |
4. The “Safety” Angle: Why this protects you
While it feels like an extra chore, these rules are designed to stop “Ghost Accounts.” In 2025, scammers used stolen IDs to open thousands of fake accounts. By requiring a physical or biometric “liveness” check, the 2026 laws make it almost impossible for a hacker in another country to open a card in your name.
Sources:
- State Bank of Vietnam (SBV): Circular No. 45/2025/TT-NHNN
- Vietnam Government Portal (VGP): New Biometric Authentication Requirements for Banking
- Hanoi Times: Vietnam to Tighten Biometric Authentication for New Bank Cards in 2026
- Vietnam Law Magazine: Mandatory Biometric Authentication for Card Issuance
- The Saigon Times: Update on Electronic Transaction Eligibility