My (Difficult) Journey to Successfully Applying for a Passport Online in Vietnam
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My Passport Application Journey: A Hilarious (and Successful!) Online Saga!
👋🏻 Hey everyone! I know there are tons of you out there like me – itching for that first international trip, passport-less and clueless about where to even begin! We've all been relying on those vague online guides, right? Well, after FINALLY getting my hands on my new passport, I'm here to share my hard-earned wisdom. Let's just say it took three online application attempts. So, buckle up for some hilarious mistakes and crucial tips to make your passport journey smooth as butter! Step 1: Signing Up & Logging In - The Portal to Adventure!
First things first, you'll need to register an account on the Public Service Portal (Dich Vu Cong) using your phone number and citizen ID (CCCD). Once that's done, head over to [https://dichvucong.bocongan.gov.vn/](https://dichvucong.bocongan.gov.vn/), log in, and click on "Nộp hồ sơ trực tuyến" (Submit Online Application). **Important Note!** This online method is ONLY for those with a permanent residence registration (Hộ khẩu) in centrally-governed cities. Search for "Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh" (Immigration Management) and hit search. In the results, choose "CẤP HỘ CHIẾU KHÔNG GẮN CHIP ĐIỆN TỬ TRONG NƯỚC (CẤP TỈNH)" (Applying for a Passport Without an Electronic Chip Domestically - Provincial Level). (My first mistake was choosing "Trung Ương" – Central Level – based on outdated advice, which got my application rejected immediately. Trust me, this is a common pitfall!) Step 2: The Photo Booth Battle!
Okay, let's be real – one of the perks of applying online is choosing a photo YOU actually like, instead of relying on a random photo studio. But getting past this stage is a challenge. Forget the basic background requirements; you'll need some basic photo editing skills to make your pic match the website's sample photo. Even when the size seems right, the website might still reject it. My secret weapon? Crop your picture into a square using your iPhone's built-in photo editor. It did the trick for me. Step 3: Filling Out the Form - Don't Get Tricked!
Here's where I got rejected the second time. You'll see fields marked with a red asterisk (*), meaning they're mandatory. But don't be fooled by the seemingly optional fields! Fill EVERYTHING in. I skipped "Occupation" and "Place of Work," which led to a rejection email asking for more information. I suspect a website glitch played a role because even after updating, the status remained "công dân đang cập nhật" (Citizen Updating) for almost two weeks. Frustrated, I had to delete the application and start over. Step 4: Choosing Your Application Location - Prepare to Be Confused!
Here's where things get tricky. You'll see conflicting instructions: "Provincial Level" for the first time, "Central Level" for later. But when you click to choose, there's only ONE option: "Cục quản lý XNC - TPHCM" (Immigration Department - Ho Chi Minh City). I was super hesitant because another rejection would have been devastating (they don't reject immediately; you wait 2-3 days for an email). But trust me (if you're in HCMC, of course!), just select "Cục quản lý XNC - TPHCM". (If you're elsewhere, you'll see a different location-specific option.) Step 5: Delivery Details - Be Thorough!
Onwards and upwards! Next, you will decide how you want to receive your passport. Whether you decide to receive it directly or at home, fill everything in. If you select delivery to your address, make sure you're there to sign or that a parent does it for you! Step 6: Payment & Victory!
Once your application is accepted, you'll get an email requesting the 200k VND processing fee. At this point, you're 80% there! Step 7: Track Your Progress!
Log back into [https://dichvucong.bocongan.gov.vn/](https://dichvucong.bocongan.gov.vn/) and go to "Quản lý hồ sơ đã nộp" (Manage Submitted Applications) to track its progress. You'll also see the estimated passport delivery date – and in my experience, it was accurate! The home delivery fee adds another 30k VND, payable upon receipt. ***Compared to friends who applied in person, the online method was significantly faster (only 8 days!). BUT you need to be careful and know these tips to succeed. The result? Totally worth it! ✨ I hope my experience helps those of you applying for your first passport! Good luck, and may your travels be full of fun and adventure! #reviewpassportonline ```
