This guide covers the full account opening process on CAEX for a personal, Vietnamese account. There are five steps, shown as a 1/5 to 5/5 progress bar in the app. The whole process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 1/5: Enter your phone number
Step 1: Open the app and tap Sign Up
Open the CAEX app. On the welcome screen, tap Sign Up.
If you do not have the app yet, go to the official CAEX website, tap Get Started, and scan the QR code to download it from the App Store or Google Play.
Step 2: Choose account type and nationality
The Open Account screen appears. Make two selections:
• Customer type: Individual or Corporate. Choose Individual.
• Nationality: Vietnamese or Non-Vietnamese. Choose Vietnamese.
Tap Continue.
Step 3: Enter your phone number and referral code
The screen shows 1/5 with the title Enter phone number. Select your country code (defaults to +84) and enter your phone number.
If you have a referral code, expand the Referral Code (Optional) field and enter it.
Step 4: Accept the agreements
The screen shows your nationality and phone number for you to check, along with two confirmations:
• Optional box: Agree to receive product updates and marketing emails from CAEX.
• Required box: Confirm you have read, understood, and agreed to the commitments not to use fraudulent documents, not to lend or rent the account, not to use it for unlawful purposes, and to agree to the Personal Data Processing terms.
Tick the required box, then tap Continue.
Step 5: Enter the OTP
A six-digit code is sent by SMS to the number you entered. Enter it and tap Next.
If nothing arrives, wait for the countdown to finish, then tap Resend OTP.
Step 2/5: Create your password
Step 1: Set your login password
Enter a password and re-enter it to confirm. It must meet the three requirements shown on screen:
• 12 to 32 characters, special characters supported
• At least one number from 0 to 9
• Both uppercase and lowercase letters
When all three turn green, tap Continue.
Step 3/5: Identity verification
Step 1: Start verification
The Identity Verification screen introduces two points: your data is kept secure, and the process takes about two minutes. Tap Start verification.
Step 2: Photograph the front of your ID card
Place the ID card on a flat, well-lit surface, align it in the frame, and capture. The Check front photo screen shows the image you took.
If it is clear, tap Document is readable. If not, tap Retake photo.
Step 3: Photograph the back of your ID card
Repeat for the back. Make sure the code lines at the bottom of the card are clear, as the system needs to read them. Tap Document is readable.
Step 4: Verify your face
The screen asks you to place your face in the frame. Look directly at the camera and hold still for a moment, following the prompts.
Remove sunglasses, masks, and hats. Make sure no one else is in the frame.
Step 4/5: Chip-based ID verification
Step 1: Choose a verification method
The Account verification screen offers two methods:
• Verify with VNeID: Recommended. Fast and secure through VNeID, completed in about 30 seconds with biometric verification.
• Verify with chip-based ID: Scan the NFC chip in your card to read its information.
Choose whichever suits you. If you already have VNeID at level 2 verification, the VNeID method is usually faster.
Step 2: Scan the chip following the guide
If you choose the chip-based ID, the Chip-based ID verification screen shows an instructional video. Hold your phone against the card so the NFC reader touches the chip.
Hold still until you see the Ready to scan and Data verified successfully messages.
Step 5/5: Additional information
This is the final step. You fill in the required personal details, some of which are pre-filled from your ID card data.
Step 1: Check the pre-filled information
The Personal Information section shows fields taken from your ID card:
• Full name
• Nationality
• ID number
• Date of issue
• Place of issue
• Expiry date
• Date of birth
Check these are correct before continuing.
Step 2: Fill in the remaining information
Complete the empty fields:
• Permanent address: Enter if different from your current address.
• Email: An active personal email. The next step sends an OTP here.
• Occupation, Position: Select from the list.
• Purpose of account opening and nature of business relationship: Select from the list.
• Current address: Choose Province/City, Ward/Commune, and enter the street address.
Tick the box I confirm and agree with the CAEX Customer Commitment, then tap Continue.
Step 3: Enter the OTP sent by email
This time the OTP is sent to the email you provided above, not by SMS. Open your inbox, enter the six-digit code, then tap Next.
If you cannot find it in your inbox, check the Spam or Promotions folder.
Step 4: Wait for review
The Verification under review screen indicates your application is being processed. You can tap Check status for updates, or Back to home.
CAEX will notify you when the process is complete. Most applications are processed within a few minutes; cases requiring additional checks take longer.
Common problems and how to fix them
| Problem | Usual cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| SMS OTP does not arrive | Weak signal, service messages blocked, wrong number | Check the number, wait for the countdown then resend, try where reception is better |
| Email OTP does not arrive | Email in Spam, wrong email entered | Check Spam and Promotions folders, confirm the email you entered |
| Slide CAPTCHA will not pass | Piece not dragged to the right spot | Tap refresh for a new image, drag slowly until it fits the empty slot |
| ID photo rejected | Glare, blur, or covered information | Retake in better light, turn off the flash, place the card on a dark surface |
| Face verification fails | Glasses, poor lighting, another person in frame | Remove glasses and masks, use a plain background, hold still as prompted |
| NFC will not scan | Thick case, wrong position, NFC disabled | Remove the case, enable NFC in Settings, move the card slowly across the back |
| Wrong nationality selected | Mis-tapped at step 1 | Contact support. Do not create a second account |
Frequently asked questions
How long does KYC approval take?
Most applications are processed within a few minutes. Some cases requiring additional checks take longer. You will be notified when it is complete.
Can I register on the website?
Registration and identity verification are only available in the app. Once your account exists, you can sign in on both the website and the app.
Why does step 5 send the OTP by email instead of SMS?
The phone number step uses an SMS OTP. The additional information step uses an email OTP to confirm that the email address you just provided is genuine.
Can I use my old 9-digit ID card?
The process requires a chip-based Citizen ID card so details can be cross-checked via VNeID or NFC. If you have not upgraded yet, contact support for guidance.
What should I do after opening my account?
Enable Google 2FA or a Passkey before depositing any assets. This is the single most important step for protecting your account.