Place of birth annotation to be added to new passports issued for Vietnamese in Czech
The Vietnamese Embassy in the Czech Republic on August 2 announced it will issue new passports with an annotation on the holders’ place of birth added inside.
Prague (VNA) – The Vietnamese Embassy in the CzechRepublic on August 2 announced it will issue new passports with anannotation on the holders’ place of birth added inside.
The move came after the Czech Embassy in Hanoi sent anofficial note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Consular Department the sameday, rejecting to recognise Vietnam’s new passports.
“Vietnam’s new passports, which were issued from July 1,2022, do not meet technical standards of the International Civil AviationOrganisation (ICAO),” the Czech Embassy announced in a statement on itsofficial website.
“Therefore, the Czech Republic agrees with other EuropeanUnion (EU) member countries to halt the recognition of its validity,” it saidbut did not specify the standards as prescribed by the ICAO that Vietnam’s newpassports have not met.
In an announcement released later the same day, theVietnamese Embassy in Czech said it began to issue passports in new designwhich has navy-blue covers from July 1, 2022, in replacement of the old green-covered ones.
The embassy is actively coordinating with Vietnameseauthorities in working with the Czech side to address the issue, it noted, adding that itwill add an annotation on the place of birth on Page 4 of the new passports tofacilitate the Vietnamese holders to apply for visa extension or other publicadministrative services in Czech.
Holders of passports issued before August 2 can visit theembassy for annotations to be added, it said.
The Czech Republic is among the three European countries having denied therecognition of Vietnam’s new passports. The others are Germany and Spain.
In separate announcements, both Embassies of Germany andSpain in Vietnam said the reason for the non-recognition of the new navyblue-coloured passports is that they do not have a place of birth(province/city) listed.
This can make it difficult for the German side to identifythe specific locality where Vietnamese citizens were born, especially in thecase of minors where ID number has not been granted, the Embassy of Germanysaid on July 27.
It noted the Vietnamese holders of the new passports whohave already received visas to Germany should refrain from travelling sincethey will be denied entry at the border.
The Embassy of Spain in Vietnam described the place of birthof passport holders as an important information for personal identification,which is also required for processing Schengen visa applications./.
The Consular Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating with relevant agencies in solving the problem relating to German's temporary visa suspension on Vietnam's new passports.
The Embassy of Vietnam in Germany on July 29 announced that it is ready to issue a confirmation in German about the place of birth for Vietnamese citizens using new-style passports, in case they need it to present to German authorities.
The Spanish Embassy in Vietnam on August 1 announced that it cannot accept Schengen visa applications from Vietnamese citizens using new-style passports until further notice.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
Over the past five decades, the Vietnam - Angola relationship has grown steadily, marked by political trust and close bonds between their Parties, States, Governments, and peoples, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
President Luong Cuong called on the two countries to join hands to promote South – South cooperation, contribute to building a fair and equal global political and economic order, safeguard independence and sovereignty, and promote extensive and substantive international solidarity and cooperation.
President Luong Cuong called on the community to remain united, integrate well into local society, adhere to local laws, and continue contributing to both Angola’s development and Vietnam – Angola relations.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Angola Carolina Cerqueira agreed to continue strengthening political trust, boost high-level delegation exchanges via all channels, including the parliamentary one, and create favourable legal conditions for bilateral cooperation.
Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong and Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço met with the press right after concluding their talks and witnessing the signing of seven cooperation agreements between the two countries in Luanda on August 7.
State President Luong Cuong stressed the fraternal ties between Vietnam and Angola as a shared invaluable asset. It serves as a solid foundation for both countries to enter a new phase of development, further foster political trust and mutual support between the two Parties and States, and deepen the solidarity and mutual understanding between their people.
At the dialogue, both sides expressed satisfaction with the intensive and extensive development of bilateral relationship since it was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year.
The robust collaboration between the Vietnamese National Assembly and Japan’s National Diet, particularly between the two nations’ parliamentary friendship groups, is a hallmark of bilateral relations, contributing to deepening the Vietnam-Japan comprehensive strategic partnership, said NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man.
Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long received British Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew in Hanoi on August 7, affirming education as a standout pillar in the Vietnam - UK Strategic Partnership.
Illustrative image. (Photo: thanhnien.vn) 
