Do I need a passport for domestic flights? Passports are not mandatory for domestic flights. For Vietnamese citizens, you can use other identification documents such as a Citizen Identity Card (CCCD), travel documents, level 2 electronic identification accounts, etc. A passport is only a valid alternative document when you do not have the aforementioned documents. Find out more details in the following article!
1. Answering the question: Do you need a passport for domestic flights?
A passport is a document owned by the State, issued by competent Vietnamese authorities to Vietnamese citizens for the purposes of exit, entry, and proof of nationality and identity. According to current regulations of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, passengers with Vietnamese nationality are not required to use a passport when flying domestically.
Circular 14/2026/TT-BCA stipulates the latest types of identification documents that must be presented when traveling by air in 2026. Accordingly, Vietnamese citizens can present one of the following documents or electronic data with equivalent legal validity instead of a passport when flying domestically:
The passenger's level 2 electronic identification account;
Identity information of child passengers under 14 years old within the level 2 electronic identification account of their parent, guardian, or person accompanying them on the same flight (passengers who have registered biometric data for aviation procedures may use automated security control gates and automated boarding gates);
Travel documents, Citizen Identity cards, or Identity cards;
Birth certificates, civil status extracts, birth certificate extracts (birth information extracts), or written confirmation of civil status information (for children under 14 years old); birth certification (for infants under 02 months old who have not yet been issued a birth certificate);
Identification cards or certificates issued by the People's Public Security or People's Army;
National Assembly Deputy card; Party Member card; Journalist card;
Airport or airfield security control cards with long-term validity;
Identification cards issued by Vietnamese airlines;
Personal identification confirmation issued by the police (confirmation must include: issuing agency, issuer; date of issuance; full name, date of birth, gender, permanent residence of the person being confirmed; and reason for confirmation. The document must have a photo attached, a seal overlapping the photo, and is valid for only 30 days from the date of issuance);
Confirmation from competent authorities certifying that the passenger has just finished serving a sentence;
Confirmation from a social organization regarding a child under the care of said organization (valid for 06 months from the date of issuance).
*Note: According to the regulations on identification documents for air travel in Circular 14/2026/TT-BCA, driver's licenses are no longer valid and cannot be used for procedures when flying domestically. Passengers should take note to accurately prepare documents for their flight.
Vietnamese citizens flying domestically are not required to carry a passport
2. Conditions for passenger documents used for air travel
According to the regulations in Subsection 4, Section I, Appendix 9 of Circular 14/2026/TT-BCA, passenger documents used for air travel must meet the following conditions:
Must be the original copy and currently valid, or an electronic copy with legal validity as prescribed;
Birth certificates, civil status extracts, birth certificate extracts, written confirmation of civil status, and birth certifications must be original copies or notarized copies in accordance with the law; or electronic copies with legal validity as prescribed.
Documents without a photo or with a photo not in accordance with the law are not accepted. Exceptions include birth certificates, birth certifications, civil status extracts, birth certificate extracts, written confirmation of civil status, documents from competent authorities proving escort/custody, identity cards issued to children under 06 years old, confirmation from competent authorities certifying that the passenger has just finished serving a sentence, and confirmation from a social organization for children under their care.
If using a level 2 electronic identification account or electronic birth certificate, the account must be functioning normally when presented.
Passengers with Vietnamese nationality do not need a passport for domestic flights
3. In what cases is a passport mandatory for domestic flights?
After answering the question of whether a passport is required for domestic flights, you should also note that there are still some cases where a passport is mandatory. Specifically, a passport is a necessary document if the passenger has an international transit itinerary or lacks other valid identification documents to complete check-in procedures.
3.1 Passengers with international transit flights
If your domestic flight is part of an interline international flight or has a transit point in another country, you will have to use a passport for check-in starting from the first leg in Vietnam to ensure entry requirements are met. This helps synchronize procedures for the entire journey and avoids potential issues at transit airports abroad.
3.2 Passengers without other identification documents
In case you do not have a Citizen Identity Card or other valid substitute documents, a passport will be your lifeline. A passport is a document with high legal validity and can fully be used to verify identity when checking in for a flight. Therefore, you should carry your passport (if available) as a backup to ensure your trip is not interrupted.
4. What else needs to be prepared for domestic flights?
In addition to preparing appropriate identification documents, you also need to prepare other things, such as purchasing airline tickets, luggage, understanding luggage regulations, and arriving at the airport on time.
Airline ticket: The airline ticket is a mandatory document confirming your right to carriage on a specific flight, whether it is a paper ticket or an e-ticket. You need to ensure that all personal information on the ticket, such as full name and date of birth, matches exactly with the identification documents you will present.
Luggage: Each airline has its own regulations on the weight and size of carry-on and checked luggage for each ticket class. You should research these regulations carefully to arrange your luggage properly and avoid having to pay high excess baggage fees at the airport. At the same time, you should also note the list of items prohibited or restricted on board to ensure the safety of your flight.
Check-in on time: Airlines have regulations on when check-in counters open and close. When flying with Sun PhuQuoc Airways, passengers should check in online from 24 hours to 1 hour before departure. For direct check-in at the airport, please contact support staff from 3 hours to 1 hour before the flight takes off.
5. Frequently Asked Questions
5.1 How much remaining validity must a passport have to be used for domestic flights?
For domestic flights, Vietnam currently does not have specific regulations on the remaining validity of a passport. As long as your passport is still valid at the time of the flight, you can use it to complete aviation procedures. However, to ensure you do not encounter any issues, your passport should be intact and not torn, faded, or have unclear information.
5.2 If a passport has less than 6 months of validity, can I get a new one for domestic flights?
According to regulations, you have the right to request a new passport when your old one is about to expire, even if it has less than 6 months left. Therefore, you can proactively obtain a new passport to use for both domestic and international flights to avoid any unnecessary obstacles.
5.3 Is a passport required when buying domestic flight tickets?
When purchasing domestic flight tickets, you are not required to provide passport information; you can use information from other documents. You only need to provide your full name and date of birth accurately and can use your Citizen Identity Card number or ID card number to book the ticket. Most importantly, the information on the ticket must match the document you will use to perform check-in procedures at the airport upon departure.
5.4 Can a copy of a passport be used for domestic flights?
According to aviation industry regulations, passengers are not allowed to use copied or notarized documents to complete flight procedures. You must present the original passport or an electronic version with legal validity as prescribed for security personnel to verify.
5.5 Do foreigners flying domestically in Vietnam need a passport?
According to Circular 14/2026/TT-BCA, foreign nationals are not required to carry a passport when flying domestically in Vietnam. Instead, they can use other types of documents such as international travel documents (with the most recent entry stamp), visas, visa exemptions, permanent resident cards, diplomatic identity cards issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, etc.
We hope this article has helped answer your questions about whether a passport is needed for domestic flights, as well as helped you understand the documents needed before your flight. Don't forget to fully prepare your documents, flight tickets, and luggage for a smooth journey. Accompanying Sun PhuQuoc Airways, you will enjoy professional service and memorable flight experiences on every journey.
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