Do you have a blocked bank account in Vietnam? Since 2024, Vietnamese banks have tightened KYC and biometric checks. Accounts linked to outdated documents or incomplete identity verification may be restricted. Here’s what to do in 2026, including if you’re outside Vietnam.
Blocked account: 3 steps to take
- Contact your bank: ask for the exact reason for the restriction and whether only certain transactions or the entire account are affected.
- Prepare your documents: valid passport, visa, e-Visa or Temporary Residence Card where applicable, plus any supporting documents requested by your bank.
- Ask about the verification procedure: depending on your bank and situation, an in-branch update may be required. If you are outside Vietnam, ask first whether any remote option is available.
Not currently in Vietnam? Go directly to the dedicated section.
🔎 Information checked on October 5, 2026
Vietnamese banking rules have changed several times since 2024, and implementation may vary by bank. Always confirm the procedure with your bank before travelling to Vietnam solely to resolve an account issue.
Why Can Your Bank Account Be Blocked in Vietnam?
The tighter controls are part of Vietnam’s efforts to combat fraud, money laundering and “mule accounts” used by criminal networks to receive or transfer illicit funds.
The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has progressively strengthened customer identification and online payment security. Similar banking restrictions have also affected foreigners elsewhere in the region, as explained in our guide to bank account restrictions in Thailand.
Biometric Authentication: What Changed Since 2024?
Decision No. 2345/QD-NHNN introduced stronger security requirements for online payments. These rules were subsequently supplemented by regulations governing the opening and use of payment accounts.
| Date | Change | Practical impact |
|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2024 | Stronger biometric authentication requirements for certain electronic transactions by individuals. | Biometric authentication is required for an electronic transfer above VND 10 million or when total transfers exceed VND 20 million in one day. |
| January 1, 2025 | Individual customers must have their identity documents and biometric information verified to continue certain electronic banking transactions. | Customers who have not completed the required update may have electronic transactions suspended. |
| July 1, 2025 | Comparable requirements apply to representatives of organizational accounts. | Businesses must also ensure that their legal representative’s information complies with the new verification requirements. |
| September 1, 2025 | Authorities announced the removal of more than 86 million accounts that had not completed biometric authentication or had been frozen for a long period. | Inactive, unverified, long-unused or potentially suspicious accounts were particularly affected. |
| December 1, 2025 | Provisions of Circular 25/2025 concerning the verification of foreign account holders outside Vietnam took effect. | In certain cases, a bank may verify a foreign customer through a third party or another authorized organization. |
Sources: State Bank of Vietnam – Decision 2345 and biometric authentication; Vietnamese Government – biometric requirements from January 1, 2025.
Expired Passport, Visa or Outdated Personal Details
Since January 1, 2025, banks must also pay closer attention to the validity of the identity documents associated with an account. Electronic banking services may be restricted when the registered document has expired or required information has not been updated.
For a foreign customer, this may involve a renewed passport, an expired visa, a new Temporary Residence Card or other personal information that no longer matches the bank’s records.
It is therefore important to check that your bank has your current passport, immigration status and contact information.
Inactive, Unverified or Long-Frozen Accounts
In July 2025, Vietnamese authorities announced that from September 1 more than 86 million bank accounts that had not completed biometric authentication or had remained frozen for a long period would be removed as part of a nationwide account-cleaning campaign.
According to figures reported at the time, Vietnam had around 200 million bank accounts, but only about 113 million individual accounts were still considered active and valid after the new verification procedures were introduced.
⚠️ What the “86 million accounts” figure actually means
It does not mean that 86 million active customers suddenly lost access to their money. The total included accounts that were unverified, inactive, forgotten or had remained frozen for a long time.
Source: VTV – more than 86 million accounts targeted from September 1, 2025.
Are Foreigners Particularly Affected?
Foreign customers are not necessarily targeted as a group, but keeping their account details up to date can be more complicated. A renewed passport, expired visa, change in residence status or absence from Vietnam may require additional verification.
For example, HSBC Vietnam currently states that foreign customers need a passport with a valid entry visa or equivalent document and that biometric information is mandatory. The exact procedure nevertheless depends on the bank.
Example: HSBC Vietnam – documents and biometric requirements for current accounts.
What to Do If Your Bank Account Is Blocked in Vietnam
The correct procedure depends on the exact reason for the restriction. A mobile app problem, suspension of electronic transactions and closure of an account are not necessarily the same issue.
Step 1: Contact Your Bank
Call your branch or the bank’s official customer service and ask specifically:
- why the account or service has been restricted;
- which services are affected: mobile banking, transfers, withdrawals, card payments or the entire account;
- which documents need to be updated;
- whether biometric verification is required;
- whether the procedure can be completed remotely or requires an in-person visit.
Use only contact details published on your bank’s official website or banking app to reduce the risk of phishing.
Step 2: Prepare the Required Documents
For a foreign customer, the bank may request:
- a valid passport;
- a visa, e-Visa, Temporary Residence Card or equivalent document depending on your situation;
- an updated telephone number or other contact details;
- any additional supporting documents requested by the bank.
A biometric update may also be required. At many banks, foreign customers still need to visit a branch or follow a specific procedure provided by the institution.
What If You Are Outside Vietnam?
Contact your bank before booking a flight. An in-person visit is still required in many situations, but the regulations have changed.
Since December 1, 2025, Circular 25/2025 allows a bank or foreign bank branch, when a foreign individual account holder is not present in Vietnam, to verify customer information through a third party or another authorized organization.
This does not mean that every bank automatically offers remote account restoration. Implementation depends on the institution, so ask your bank specifically whether such a procedure is available for your account.
Source: Circular 25/2025/TT-NHNN – foreign account holders outside Vietnam.
⚠️ Do not try to bypass the issue with a VPN
Do not use a VPN simply to make your banking app think you are in Vietnam. Some banks may treat VPN or proxy connections as unusual or unsafe. Nam A Bank, for example, instructs customers to disable a VPN or proxy when its app detects this type of connection.
Source: Nam A Bank – security error troubleshooting guide.
What If Your Account Remains Inaccessible?
If you cannot immediately update your documents or biometric information, ask your bank which options are available in your specific situation.
Depending on the institution and the status of your account, possible solutions may include:
- updating your information through another authorized procedure;
- having your identity verified through a method accepted by the bank;
- booking an appointment at a branch during your next visit to Vietnam;
- asking about account closure and recovery of the remaining balance if the account can no longer be maintained.
Do not assume that the bank will automatically close the account and arrange an international SWIFT transfer. The available options depend on the bank, the status of the account and the documents you can provide.
Can Wise or Revolut Be Used as Alternatives?
If you already have a Wise or Revolut account opened in an eligible country, these services may be useful for certain card payments, currency conversions or international transfers.
They do not necessarily replace a Vietnamese bank account for all local banking needs, and availability depends on your country of residence and each provider’s eligibility rules.
How to Avoid Future Restrictions on Your Account
A few regular checks can reduce the risk of your banking services being interrupted:
- Keep your passport and immigration documents up to date: inform your bank when you renew a document already registered on your account.
- Complete any required biometric verification: do not ignore requests from your bank to update your identity information.
- Keep your contact details current: particularly your telephone number and information used for online banking.
- Check your bank’s inactivity rules: requirements can vary by institution and account type.
- Contact your bank before a long period abroad: particularly if one of your registered documents is approaching its expiry date.
FAQ: Blocked Bank Accounts in Vietnam
Why Was My Bank Account Blocked in Vietnam?
Possible reasons include incomplete biometric verification, an expired passport or immigration document, outdated KYC information, or an account that has remained inactive or unverified for a long period. Only your bank can confirm the exact reason for the restriction on your account.
Did Vietnam Really Block 86 Million Bank Accounts?
Vietnamese authorities announced in 2025 that more than 86 million accounts that had not completed biometric authentication or had remained frozen for a long period would be removed from the system from September 1. This did not represent 86 million active customers: many of the accounts were inactive, unverified, forgotten or potentially vulnerable to fraudulent use.
Will I Lose the Money in a Blocked Bank Account?
A suspension of transactions or online access does not automatically mean that your balance has been confiscated. Procedures for restoring access, recovering funds or closing the account depend on the situation. Contact your bank to confirm the exact status of the account and the procedure applicable to your funds.
I Am Outside Vietnam. Can I Unblock My Account Remotely?
Sometimes, but it is not guaranteed. Since December 2025, regulations allow a bank, in certain cases, to verify the identity of a foreign account holder who is outside Vietnam through a third party or another organization. Whether this option is actually available depends on your bank and your individual case.
🔄 Last updated on October 5, 2026
