Which social network accounts must be linked to VNeID before December 31, 2026?

From September 28, 2026, regulations on linking and authenticating electronic transaction accounts with electronic identification accounts are added, including accounts on digital platforms serving social network activities in Vietnam. For applicable accounts that were created before the effective date of the regulations, the deadline for completion is before December 31, 2026. This information makes many users interested in whether Facebook, TikTok, Zalo, Instagram or YouTube accounts must be linked to VNeID or not. To properly understand the regulations, it is necessary to distinguish between regular social network accounts and electronic transaction accounts regulated by law.

1. Must social network accounts be linked to VNeID before December 31, 2026?

Have. According to the regulations added in Decree 320/2026/ND-CP, electronic transaction accounts on digital platforms serving activities in the field of social networks in Vietnam must be linked and authenticated with electronic identification accounts.

However, it is necessary to understand exactly the object of application. The regulation refers to electronic transaction accounts within the scope of regulation, but does not mean that all personal accounts on all social networking applications automatically have to perform the same linking operation.

For applicable accounts that were created before September 28, 2026, the deadline to complete linking and authentication is before December 31, 2026. Users should follow official instructions to determine whether their account is required or not and follow the corresponding process.

2. Which account groups must be linked and authenticated with VNeID?

According to Clause 9, Article 40 of Decree 69/2024/ND-CP supplemented in Article 19 of Decree 320/2026/ND-CP, the scope of regulations includes electronic transaction accounts on digital platforms serving activities in the following fields:

• Education.
• Popular education no.
• Stock.
• Telecommunications.
• Bank.
• E-commerce, including subjects such as sellers, livestream sellers and affiliate marketers according to the provisions of the E-commerce Law.
• Electronic invoice.
• Transport business.
• Tourism business.
• Pharmaceutical business.
• Medical examination and treatment.
• Social networks in Vietnam.

In addition to the above areas, the regulations also mention electronic transaction accounts serving defense, security and cross-border services. Linking and authentication for this group is done before use when the platform meets the conditions and is connected to the electronic identification and authentication platform.

For other fields, the list of online transactions that require linking and authentication before use is determined according to the authority specified in the decree.

3. Are Facebook, TikTok, Zalo required to link VNeID?

This is the question that many people are most interested in when learning about the new regulations.

Facebook, TikTok, Zalo, Instagram and YouTube are commonly used platforms in Vietnam. However, you should not just rely on the application name to conclude that all accounts on that platform must be linked to VNeID.

The law defines the scope according to electronic transaction accounts and activities in the regulated field. Determining whether a specific account is required or not needs to be based on current regulations, instructions from competent authorities and the implementation method of the relevant platform.

Users should note the following points:

• Do not assume that every Facebook, TikTok, Zalo or Instagram account has the same linking obligations.
• Do not infer that personal accounts, community pages, content creation accounts, and business accounts have exactly the same scope of application.
• Check the platform’s official announcement and instructions from authorities before performing authentication.
• Do not use links sent by strangers to declare identification information or log in to accounts.

Thus, to accurately answer which Facebook, TikTok or Zalo account must be linked to VNeID, it is necessary to determine the type of account, usage activities and specific application instructions, instead of just relying on the social network name.

4. Deadline for linking VNeID for accounts created before September 28, 2026

Decree 320/2026/ND-CP takes effect from September 28, 2026. For electronic transaction accounts within the scope of regulations that were created before this time, the linking and authentication period is differentiated by field.

Account group	Completion deadline
Accounts in regulated fields, except banks	Before December 31, 2026
Electronic transaction accounts belong to the banking sector	Before June 30, 2027

The above timelines apply to accounts within the scope of regulation and meeting the transition conditions of the decree. This should not be understood as a general deadline for all types of online accounts, regardless of field or purpose of use.

For accounts created after September 28, 2026, users need to follow the regulations and procedures applied at the time of registration and use. It should not be assumed that the new account is subject to the same transition period as the pre-existing account.

5. Why is it necessary to link and authenticate electronic trading accounts?

Linking and authenticating electronic transaction accounts with electronic identity accounts aims to enhance the ability to verify identity in the digital environment.

When identities are verified in accordance with regulations, account management and processing of electronic transactions can be more convenient. This mechanism also contributes to preventing identity fraud, using unofficial accounts and some forms of fraud in cyberspace.

However, identity authentication does not mean that all violations are completely prevented. Users still need to protect personal information, passwords, authentication codes and proactively check for unusual signs when using online services.

6. How to check and perform a safe VNeID link

To avoid confusion or providing information to fake entities, users can follow these steps:

1. Determine the account to check: View the account being used for personal, business or electronic transactions in the regulated field.
2. Check out the official announcement: Keep an eye on the app, the platform’s official support page, and information from authorities.
3. Compare instructions: Only do this when you have identified the applicable account and clearly know the authentication process.
4. Use official channels: Access the official VNeID application and authentication channels announced by the service provider.
5. Check results: Once completed, check the authentication status on the service’s official interface or support channel.

The above steps are a prudent guide to verify information and perform safely, not a mandatory operating procedure that is the same for all platforms. The actual linking depends on each service’s implementation guide.

7. Be wary of scammers taking advantage of VNeID linking regulations

When information about account authentication appears, users need to be wary of subjects pretending to be authorities, social network employees or VNeID support to appropriate data and assets.

Some signs to pay attention to include:

• Send a message informing you that your account is about to be locked and requesting you to access a strange link for urgent authentication.
• Required to provide password, OTP code or account login information.
• It is recommended to install applications of unknown origin or grant permission to control the device remotely.
• Request to transfer money or pay fees with unknown basis to complete VNeID link.
• Calling and requesting to read personal information or providing identifying data through unverified channels.

Users should not provide passwords, OTP codes or grant device control rights to strangers. When you receive a suspicious message, stop the operation and check again through the official channel before continuing.

8. Frequently asked questions about linking social network accounts with VNeID

Do all Facebook accounts have to be linked to VNeID before December 31, 2026?

We should not conclude that all Facebook accounts are mandatory. It is necessary to determine whether the account is covered by regulations on electronic transaction accounts on digital platforms serving social network activities in Vietnam, and at the same time check the official implementation instructions.

What is the deadline for linking social network accounts with VNeID?

For applicable accounts that were created before September 28, 2026, the deadline to complete linking and authentication is before December 31, 2026. This deadline should not be construed as applying to all online accounts regardless of coverage.

Does a bank account have the same validity period as a social media account?

Are not. For electronic transaction accounts in the banking sector created before September 28, 2026, the transition deadline is before June 30, 2027. Accounts in the remaining fields within the scope of regulations will apply the milestone before December 31, 2026.

Should I click on the link sent via text message to link VNeID?

Do not access unverified links. Check for notifications via the platform or authority’s official app and channel; Absolutely do not provide passwords, OTP codes or install strange applications at the caller’s request.

Conclude

Regulations on linking and authenticating electronic transaction accounts with VNeID according to Decree 320/2026/ND-CP include accounts on digital platforms serving social network activities in Vietnam. For applicable accounts that were created before September 28, 2026, the deadline for completion is before December 31, 2026.

It’s important not to equate this regulation with requiring all accounts on Facebook, TikTok, Zalo or other platforms to do the same thing. Users should properly identify applicable entities, follow official instructions, and perform authentication through a trusted channel to protect personal information.