Vietnam may allow dual citizenship under amended law
Vietnam may soon allow dual citizenship and ease citizenship rules for foreigners under proposed changes to its nationality law, according to a new draft by the Ministry of Justice.
The proposed amendment to the Law on Vietnamese Nationality introduces special circumstances where individuals could hold Vietnamese citizenship along with another nationality.
Such exceptions would be determined by the Vietnamese government. Currently, Vietnam allows only single nationality, mandating citizens to relinquish foreign citizenship upon obtaining Vietnamese nationality, except in certain cases.
Additionally, certain groups could bypass existing requirements such as language proficiency, minimum residency duration and financial independence to acquire Vietnamese citizenship.
Eligible groups include individuals whose parents or grandparents are Vietnamese citizens and foreigners who have made notable contributions to Vietnam’s development and security.
Minors with at least one Vietnamese parent would no longer need « full capacity for civil acts » to apply for citizenship.
The amendment also seeks to simplify the process for former Vietnamese citizens wishing to reclaim their nationality. It removes current restrictive conditions, which limit nationality restoration primarily to individuals who have familial ties to Vietnam, investors, or those who have significantly contributed to the country’s progress or security. It also targets individuals who previously relinquished Vietnamese nationality but were unable to obtain foreign citizenship.
According to the Ministry of Justice, the move aligns with international trends where many countries now allow multiple nationalities, encouraging former citizens to reconnect with Vietnam.
As of March, Vietnam has reinstated citizenship for 311 individuals and granted Vietnamese nationality to 7,014 applicants. Notably, 60 people retained their original foreign nationalities upon becoming Vietnamese citizens.
By Son Ha – VnExpress.net – April 9, 2025