Vietnam Passport Photo: Requirements and Online Tool
Applying for a Vietnamese passport requires a photograph that meets the standards set by the Vietnamese authorities. While the basic rules are consistent across most applications, the exact submission process depends on where you apply.
In recent years, Vietnam has expanded online passport services and introduced electronic passports through many diplomatic missions. As a result, digital photo specifications have become just as important as traditional printed photographs.
This guide explains the current Vietnam passport photo requirements, highlights the differences between domestic and overseas applications, and helps you understand how to prepare a photo that complies with the official standards.
Table of contents
- Vietnam passport photo size and format requirements
- Background requirements
- Other essential Vietnam passport photo specifications
- Get your Vietnam passport photo online!
- How many photos are required for a Vietnam passport application?
- How to take a good passport photo on your own
- FAQ
Vietnam passport photo size and format requirements
Printed photo size and dimensions
For most passport applications, the required photograph measures 4 × 6 cm (40 × 60 mm). This size is used for applications submitted to provincial authorities within Vietnam and also appears in the latest guidance published by many Vietnamese embassies and consulates.
Applicants should note that this format differs from the 35 × 45 mm passport photos commonly used in Europe and from the 2 × 2 inch format required by the United States.
A few older overseas passport renewal instructions, particularly for replacing expired, lost, or damaged passports, still refer to 2 × 2 inch photographs. These instructions apply only to the specific procedures described on those pages and should not be treated as the general standard for all Vietnamese passport applications.
Digital Vietnam passport photo requirements
Applicants using Vietnam's online passport services or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' overseas passport portal must upload a digital photograph as part of the application process.
Official guidance specifies the following technical requirements for digital passport photos:
- Ratio: 3x4
- Minimum resolution: 300 dpi
- File format: JPEG 2000 or JPG, depending on the application portal
- Maximum file size: Less than 2 MB (for the Ministry of Public Security’s online application portal)
Photo size for applications from the USA
Vietnamese citizens applying through the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in the United States should carefully read the instructions for the specific passport service they need.
The embassy's newer guidance for electronic passports follows the current 4 × 6 cm standard and includes digital photo submission as part of the online application process. Applicants later appear in person for identity verification, and the authorities also take a photograph and collect fingerprints during the appointment.
Some older passport replacement procedures published by the embassy remain available and instead require two printed 2 × 2 inch photographs taken within the previous year. These instructions are intended for specific replacement services and differ from the newer electronic passport procedures.
Background requirements
A plain white background is one of the most consistent requirements across Vietnam's passport application systems. Whether submitting a printed photograph or uploading a digital file, the background should appear clean, evenly lit, and free from patterns, shadows, or other objects.
Vietnam's online application systems use automated image validation, and photographs with grey, off-white, or uneven backgrounds are more likely to fail the initial screening. Official government responses to applicants specifically mention unsuitable backgrounds as a common reason why uploaded photographs are rejected.
Other essential Vietnam passport photo specifications
These requirements help ensure that the photograph can be used reliably for identity verification and biometric comparison.
Head position and face
The applicant must face the camera directly with the head held upright. The entire face should be clearly visible without tilting or turning in any direction.
The photograph should present a natural appearance that accurately reflects the applicant's current look. The face should remain relaxed so that key facial features are clearly visible.
Glasses
Current Vietnamese passport guidance requires applicants to be photographed without glasses. Removing them helps ensure that the eyes remain fully visible and prevents reflections that could interfere with biometric identification.
Clothing
Official sources require applicants to wear neat and appropriate clothing but do not prescribe particular colours or styles.
Hair and ears
Both ears should remain visible. Hair should therefore be arranged so that it does not cover the ears or obscure any part of the face.
The head should remain uncovered. The official sources reviewed do not describe exceptions for religious or medical head coverings, so applicants should follow any additional instructions provided by the authority processing their application if such circumstances apply.
Lighting
The image should be evenly illuminated without harsh shadows across the face or behind the head. Overexposed photographs, dark images, and pictures with uneven lighting may not pass the automated quality checks used during online applications.
Photo quality
The photograph should be recent, sharp, and in focus. The applicant's face should be clearly recognisable without digital filters, excessive editing, or visible image compression.
Face size and cropping
The face should cover approximately 75% of the image area. The guidance also specifies that the distance from the eye line to the top edge of the photograph should be roughly two-thirds of the distance from the eye line to the bottom edge. These proportions help position the face consistently for biometric identification.
Get your Vietnam passport photo online!
Visafoto automatically adapts a regular photo into a format that meets official Vietnam passport standards. Upload your portrait taken in full face, select the document you need a photo for, and Visafoto will:
- Adjust the crop to match Vietnam passport photo size requirements;
- Correct the background to a compliant white tone;
- Align the face according to the required biometric proportions;
- Converts the file into the correct format for both digital submission and printing, depending on the application route.
Example of a photo you can upload:
You will have two types of photos: a digital one for electronic applications and another one suitable for printing.
Once the order is processed, the system applies automatic enhancement, which includes:
- improving lighting balance across the image;
- increasing overall resolution and sharpness;
- refining the background for consistency and compliance;
- in some cases, intelligently extending clothing or adjusting framing so the photo meets official document standards without requiring a reshoot
The passport photo editing tool is applicable to passport photo scans: instead of taking a new photo, you can photograph an existing one, and Visafoto will adjust its quality and format.
Visafoto includes a money-back guarantee if the resulting photo is rejected by the authorities.
How many photos are required for a Vietnam passport application?
Inside Vietnam, provincial immigration offices typically request a single printed photograph as part of the application package. However, some procedures handled by central immigration authorities still require two printed photos, especially in cases where additional verification steps are involved or where older procedural guidelines remain in use.
In many overseas cases, applicants are asked to bring two printed photographs, even when a digital version has already been uploaded through the online system.
Because requirements differ depending on the exact application route, applicants should always follow the instructions issued by the specific authority.
How to take a good passport photo on your own
Taking a passport photo at home is totally doable with a smartphone or a basic camera. The main thing is to keep it simple.
- Place the camera at eye level so the shot feels natural. Look straight into the camera and keep your head relaxed and straight. A neutral expression works best, and it helps if your hair doesn’t cover your ears or eyes.
- After taking the picture, take a quick look before moving on. The image should be sharp, evenly lit, and not blurry or overexposed. Even small issues in quality can cause rejection in official systems.
- Once everything looks good, upload the photo to Visafoto. The tool will automatically crop it, adjust the background to the correct white tone, and format it according to Vietnam passport requirements.
FAQ
How old can a Vietnam passport photo be?
Most official Vietnamese guidelines require the photo to be taken within the last 6 months.
Can I take my passport photo at home?
Yes, as long as the photo meets official requirements for background, lighting, and framing.
Are passport photo requirements different outside Vietnam?
Yes, some embassies and consulates may have slightly different instructions compared to domestic applications.
Can babies use the same passport photo requirements as adults?
In general, yes, although in practice some flexibility may apply depending on the issuing authority.