HCMC – The German Embassy on August 22 announced it would temporarily recognize Vietnam’s new blue-violet passport provided that information about the holder's birthplace is added.

The German Embassy will resume issuing visas for Vietnamese passport holders as soon as the authorities provide information about the Place of Birth (POB) of the holder of the passport that has been issued since early July.

The embassy said this was a temporary measure as Vietnam took steps to supplement the POB field in its new passport.

"The decision was made to facilitate safe travel between Vietnam and the Federal Republic of Germany," stated the embassy.

The issuing of German multi-year visas, Category C, remains suspended until further notice from the authorities.

Germany will work closely with the authorities of Vietnam and other Schengen member states to resolve the remaining issues.

Previously, Vietnam's new passport was not accepted in Germany as it lacks the POB field on the personal identification page.

Finland and the Czech Republic still suspend the recognition of Vietnam's new passport for the same reason.

The British Embassy on August 3 said the UK recognizes the new passport, but advised visa applicants to keep up with the passport requirements of other countries.

Spain earlier did not recognize the new passport but later reversed its decision. But it requires POB information to be added in the new passport.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security said it would add POB information on an Observations page for citizens if needed. In the long term, the ministry will work closely with the relevant agencies and the National Assembly to amend the Law on on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens in order to add the POB field in the new passport.