The French Embassy in Hanoi and Consulate General in HCMC said starting October 6, biometrics will be used in visa processing and all visa applicants’ fingerprints will be scanned by a digital machine.

Visa applicants must also have identification photos taken at the visa counter.

The new visa processing rules apply to all categories of passports. Making an appointment for visa application lodgment is only possible via telephone – (04) 944 5700 in Hanoi (during working hours) and (08) 824 2017 in HCMC (from 3-5 p.m.).