On March 31, 2026, the Minister of Science and Technology issued Circular No. 08/2026/TT-BKHCN on mobile subscriber identity verification. The circular will officially take effect from April 15.
Accordingly, Circular 08 stipulates that for H2H mobile subscribers who previously registered using a 9-digit ID card and have confirmed via the VNeID application that they are the actual users, telecom operators must update subscriber information and add facial biometric verification within 60 days from the date they receive confirmation through the VNeID app.
Telecom operators will suspend outgoing services (calls and SMS) for subscribers who fail to update their information, do not complete facial biometric verification, or whose verification is incomplete or inaccurate.
For H2H mobile numbers confirmed as not registered/used by the individual (via VNeID):
Telecom operators must notify continuously for 5 days (at least once per day), requesting the current user to re-sign the contract and complete facial biometric verification.
If the user fails to comply, outgoing services will be suspended.
Within 60 days from the suspension, operators must complete subscriber information updates and biometric verification. After this period, if the user still fails to comply, both incoming and outgoing services will be suspended.
The subscriber will then be notified that the contract will be terminated. If no action is taken, the contract and service will be terminated after 5 days from the two-way suspension.
For Vietnamese citizens using H2H mobile subscriptions:
- Within 30 days from the effective date: telecom operators will notify users to update and standardize their information and complete facial biometric verification.
- Within 60 days: outgoing services will be suspended if users fail to comply.
- Within 60 days after suspension: users must complete the process. Otherwise, two-way service suspension will be applied.
If still not completed, the contract will be terminated after 5 days from the two-way suspension.
For foreign users registering with passports:
Within 60 days from the effective date, telecom operators must notify and complete re-verification of subscriber information.
Subscribers who fail to re-verify (or provide incomplete/incorrect information) will have outgoing services suspended.
After 60 days, if still non-compliant, two-way services will be suspended, followed by contract termination after 5 days if no action is taken.
Summary:
Starting April 15, 2026, SIM cards that are not properly verified—especially lacking facial biometric authentication—will be gradually restricted, suspended, and eventually terminated if users do not comply.
