Vietnam targets shorter airport queues with VNeID, biometrics, and automated gates under new scheme

All relevant agencies and units will be required to prepare plans to implement the scheme, based on their roles and local conditions.

Vietnam has approved a new scheme to strengthen aviation security while improving passenger processing at airports, with a focus on digital tools, biometric identification, inter-agency data sharing and better coordination at airport “touch points”.

The scheme, attached to Prime Minister’s Decision No. 1066/QD-TTg dated 15 June 2026, sets out a roadmap for building "secure, smart, and friendly" airports. It does not introduce airline compensation rules for delayed flights, but it does target airport bottlenecks, waiting times, and passenger facilitation as part of a broader aviation security upgrade.

The government says the core principle is that aviation security and safety must not be traded off “for any reason”. At the same time, security control should be closely linked with facilitation of air transport activities and passenger services, with people, passengers and businesses placed at the centre.

General objectives

The scheme aims to improve the efficiency of aviation security at airports in a proactive, modern and risk-based manner.

According to the decision, Vietnam will focus on strengthening the legal basis for aviation security, improving inter-sectoral coordination, sharing information more effectively and improving how incidents are handled. The plan also calls for the gradual modernisation of aviation security equipment in line with ICAO standards and recommendations.

A key part of the scheme is the use of science, technology and digital transformation. This includes digital data, biometric identification, artificial intelligence and smart control systems. The government also wants stronger links between aviation security control systems and national databases, including the National Population Database.

The broader objective is to prevent, detect, and respond to both traditional and emerging aviation security risks, while also making passenger services smoother and more efficient. The scheme seeks to help protect national security, improve competitiveness and build the image of Vietnam as a safe, professional, and friendly aviation gateway.

Specific objectives

By 2026

• All relevant agencies and units must prepare plans to implement the scheme, based on their roles and local conditions.
• Agencies, businesses and airport staff must be informed and trained so aviation security rules are understood and applied consistently.
• Vietnam will issue a set of criteria for “secure, smart and friendly” airports.
• At least three international or key airports will be chosen to pilot the secure, smart and friendly airport model.
• All airports must review and standardise:
  • aviation security procedures,
  • passenger support and guidance processes,
  • coordination between relevant agencies.

• More than 30% of aviation security checks and related airport procedures are targeted for digitisation.
• Aviation security systems will be connected with the National Population Database.
• One airport will pilot systems to detect, monitor and respond to unmanned aerial vehicles, such as drones.

By 2027

• Police, customs, aviation authorities and other relevant agencies will gradually connect and share data, in line with the law.
• The secure, smart and friendly airport model will be expanded to airports nationwide, depending on each airport’s conditions.
• More than 60% of aviation security checks and related airport procedures are targeted for digitisation.
• More than 60% of airports are expected to use automatic control technology, biometric identification or other suitable technologies for security checks and passenger services.
• All airports must deploy aviation security forces capable of detecting and handling unmanned aerial vehicles.

From 2028-2030

• Vietnam will complete technical standards for aviation security equipment.
• Airports will continue modernising security equipment to better prevent, detect and handle both traditional and new security risks.
• More than 80% of airports are expected to use automatic control technology, biometric identification, surveillance or other suitable technologies for:
  • security control,
  • operational coordination,
  • passenger support.
• Vietnam aims to have at least one airport under the secure, smart and friendly model ranked among the world’s top 20 airports.

Main tasks and solutions

The scheme sets out nine main areas of work:

Improve aviation security laws

Vietnam will review and update its aviation security regulations to reflect new risks and challenges.

The government will also study the development of a dedicated Aviation Security Law. This would clarify the main principles, management mechanisms and responsibilities of relevant agencies and organisations.

Authorities will also strengthen enforcement at airports, including inspections, detection of violations and handling of problems during implementation.

Improve coordination between agencies

Vietnam will establish a National Committee on Aviation Security and Aviation Facilitation.

The government will also develop a programme to simplify aviation procedures. This will cover procedures related to passengers, baggage, cargo, postal items and aircraft.

Rules on coordination between state agencies, airport operators, airlines and related units will be reviewed and updated.

Strengthen risk management and emergency response

Authorities will improve how they collect and analyse information to assess risks, forecast threats and detect abnormal signs early.

Vietnam will build an aviation security risk management system and gradually move toward more targeted security control.

Emergency response plans will be reviewed and updated, including plans for unlawful interference in civil aviation. New scenarios will be added, and regular and ad hoc drills will be organised, including joint drills between agencies.

The scheme also calls for studying how aviation security forces can detect, monitor and handle unmanned aircraft, such as drones, at airports.

Cybersecurity for specialised aviation information systems will also be assessed, with weaknesses and vulnerabilities to be detected and fixed promptly.

Internal security checks for aviation personnel will be strengthened to prevent insider threats and acts that could affect aviation security and safety.

Improve the passenger journey at airport “touch points”

Airports will review the full passenger journey to identify key “touch points” where passengers face delays, congestion, confusing procedures or lack of information.

Processes, layouts and passenger flows will then be improved to meet both security requirements and passenger convenience.

Airports will standardise how passengers are supported and coordinated in key areas.

More guidance and support will be provided at busy touch points, especially during peak hours. The aim is to reduce congestion, avoid unnecessary movement and maintain order in a civilised and friendly airport environment.

Apply technology and digital transformation

Vietnam will expand the use of digital tools in aviation security and passenger services. This includes:

1. VNeID;
2. biometric identification,
3. automatic control gates,
4. passenger support tools,
5. smart management and operating systems.

Aviation security control systems will be connected with the National Population Database.

Airports will also upgrade technology to support:

• early risk detection,
• congestion warnings,
• better use of resources,
• faster handling of incidents.

The scheme calls for better data sharing between aviation security systems, passenger data, airport operations and related systems.

Vietnam will also study centralised models for management, monitoring and cybersecurity operations.

Technical regulations will be developed for new-generation aviation security equipment.

Selected key airports may be used as testing sites, or “sandboxes”, before new technologies are expanded nationwide.

Raise awareness of aviation security responsibilities

The government will increase communication and awareness campaigns for officials, airport employees, organisations operating at airports and people living near airports.

The aim is to make aviation security responsibilities easier to understand and follow.

Authorities will also strengthen inspection and supervision of how aviation security responsibilities are carried out.

The responsibility of agency and unit leaders will be linked to implementation results and the correction of shortcomings.

Develop aviation security personnel

Vietnam will review and improve its aviation security training programme.

Personnel responsible for aviation security will receive more training in line with ICAO standards and recommendations. Training will focus on:

1. professional skills,
2. use of new technology,
3. handling security situations.

Officials may also be sent to seminars, training courses and international aviation security programmes. International training programmes may also be received and implemented in Vietnam where suitable.

Strengthen international cooperation

Vietnam will increase cooperation with ICAO, ICAO member states and international civil aviation organisations. Cooperation will focus on:

1. human resource training,
2. technical assistance,
3. funding,
4. technology transfer.

Vietnam will also maintain information exchange with ICAO member states on new aviation security risks and methods used to threaten aviation security.

Cooperation will cover international flight protection, cargo and postal security, aviation supply chains, risk passenger control and situations involving foreign elements.

Vietnam will also apply ICAO standards and recommended practices and review the results of ICAO’s USAP audit to address gaps in aviation security.

Develop and expand the smart airport model

Vietnam will create and issue criteria for “secure, smart and friendly” airports.

These criteria will guide implementation, assessment and future expansion of the model.

The scheme identifies three airports for pilot development:

1. Long Thanh International Airport
2. Da Nang International Airport
3. Phu Bai International Airport

The full list of tasks and solutions are as below: 

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Infographics / SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM