Job Discussion Forums

Newcomber · Joined: 11 Jul 2010 Posts: 23

Hi. I'm wondering if any of you fellow foreigners have flown domestically in Vietnam without a passport. Is this possible? I have other forms of ID, such as a Vietnamese driver's license, but I have a notion that I won't be able to fly without my passport. Thanks for your time.

mark_in_saigon · Joined: 20 Sep 2009 Posts: 837

I asked about it once, forget who, but my recollection is you really need your passport as a foreigner if you are flying domestically in VN. Not sure of the logic, but pretty sure of the situation. Maybe someone could convince them otherwise, good luck.

dmjkvn · Joined: 29 Nov 2013 Posts: 8 Location: Ho Chi Minh City

Yes as a foreigner you need a passport wherever you go, it's your main id they check when you check in the airplane, even domestic flights.
Viets have ID cards they must show, and when you check in to any hotel, you must also give them your passport.A copy of this then gets given to the local district police, recording is made of who is staying at any hotel at any given time.

just noel · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 168

OP,

When I fly domestically I am asked for my passport from travel agents. (Admittedly, I've never not had a passport to offer so never asked.)

But it seems to be the only valid and recognized form of ID that they can know is accurate and true.

Other forms of ID? What would that be? Foreign driver's license? No way to prove that is true here. State ID? Same. Military? Same.

May I honestly ask why you do not have your passport? Stolen, lost, or getting visa renewed or Work Permit done?

Newcomber · Joined: 11 Jul 2010 Posts: 23

Thanks for the responses everybody. Yeah I'm expecting some delay with the WP and visa situation this time around. I have a VN DL but probably don't want to travel without my PP anyway. I know of one person who lost their passport last minute and still made a domestic flight to some beach town. I'll get the flight refunded if I can see that the process will take too much time. I was just curious. Thanks.

JSutt · Joined: 22 Jan 2013 Posts: 24

I flew from Da Nang to Ha Noi with a driver's licence to pick up a new passport in Ha Noi. No problem at all. I talked to my embassy before I left and they assured me that they fly without passports all the time, just need some kind of valid photo ID - licence, resident card, whatever.