Vietnam passport photo requirements 2026
A Vietnamese passport photo is 4x6 cm, on a white background, facing straight, head uncovered, no glasses, and taken within the last 6 months. The same standard applies whether you submit in person or online through the National Public Service Portal.
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Size | 4 × 6 cm (width × height) |
| Background | White, uniform, no shadows |
| Face | About 75% of the frame; looking straight, both ears visible |
| Eye position | Height from eyes to top edge ≈ 2/3 of the height from eyes to bottom edge |
| Headwear, glasses | Head uncovered, no glasses (including prescription glasses) |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open naturally |
| Resolution (online) | At least 300 DPI — i.e., 472 × 709 pixels or larger |
| File format (online) | JPEG 2000 |
| Recency | Taken within 6 months of the application date |
For exact pixel dimensions at each DPI level, see passport photo size in pixels and the 4x6/3x4 cm-to-pixel conversion table.
What to Wear
A dark, collared shirt looks best and is safest. Avoid white tops — they blend into the white background and trip the automated photo check. Keep hair tidy so eyebrows and ears stay visible.
Where to get a passport photo taken
- Shoot it yourself at home with a phone and process it online — fastest and fully in your control. Phone photos are accepted when they meet the criteria above. See taking a passport photo at home.
- A photo studio — convenient, but ask for the digital file as well if you plan to apply online.
- At the immigration office when filing in person (where the receiving office offers it).
How to create a passport photo online at home
- Take a portrait with your phone's rear camera: face a window, stand 30–50 cm from the wall, look straight, don't smile — see the at-home ID photo rules;
- Upload it to the passport photo editor — AI replaces the background with white, frames your face at the required 75% ratio and exports a 4x6 file at 300 DPI;
- Receive the digital file in the right format for online submission, or print it at 4x6 for in-person filing.
Submitting the photo on the Public Service Portal
When applying online at dichvucong.gov.vn, the portal automatically validates the photo before accepting your dossier. The two most common rejections:
- "Background gray level not suitable" — the backdrop isn't white enough or has shadows. See how to fix the gray-background error;
- "Photo size not suitable" — wrong 4x6 ratio or too few pixels.
Online dossiers also require the photo as JPEG 2000 — an unusual format on phones; see the JPEG 2000 guide. The step-by-step application walkthrough is in applying for a passport online.
Fee and Processing Time
Per the information published on the Public Service Portal, the standard passport fee is 200,000 VND with a processing time of 8 working days for online applications (counted from acceptance of a valid dossier). Fees and timelines may change — verify at dichvucong.gov.vn when you apply.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Vietnamese passport photo 4x6 or 3x4?
Vietnamese passports use 4x6 cm photos. The 3x4 size is for driver licenses, school records and job applications — it cannot be used for a passport.
Can I smile in a passport photo?
No. The expression must be neutral: mouth closed, no smile, eyes open naturally, looking straight at the lens.
Can I wear glasses?
No. The current standard requires no glasses in passport photos, including clear prescription glasses.
What about photos for children and infants?
The photo standard is the same (4x6, white background, facing straight) but shooting is trickier — see the guide for children's and infants' ID photos.
Can I reuse a passport photo for a visa?
It depends on the country: many use different sizes (US 5x5 cm, Schengen 3.5x4.5 cm). Check the per-country requirements, e.g. US visa photo requirements.
Create a Compliant Passport Photo Now
Shoot at home with your phone — AI adds a white background, frames your face at 75%, and exports a portal-compliant 4x6 file. Free preview; free re-processing if your application is rejected for photo reasons.
Create Passport PhotoNote
This article summarizes the official photo standard for passport applications on Vietnam's Public Service Portal as of July 2026. Regulations may change — verify the latest requirements at dichvucong.gov.vn before applying.