Vietnam opens doors to more foreign nationals seeking citizenship

In a landmark legislative move, Vietnam revised its nationality law to create a more inclusive, streamlined, and globally-minded framework for acquiring or restoring Vietnamese citizenship.

The 15th National Assembly passed amendments to the nationality law, outlining criteria for foreigners and stateless individuals seeking Vietnamese citizenship on June 24.

The revised law, along with accompanying Decree No. 191 issued by the government on July 1 and Circular No. 12 issued by the Ministry of Justice, introduces broader eligibility criteria and relaxed administrative requirements for those seeking Vietnamese nationality.

These documents took effect on July 1.

These changes aim to strengthen national unity, foster ethnic harmony, and draw high-quality human resources to support Vietnam’s development in an increasingly globalized era.

A significant shift in the new legislation is the expansion of categories eligible for naturalization of Vietnamese citizenship.

Applicants who have a spouse, biological child, parent, or even a grandparent who is a Vietnamese citizen can now apply for Vietnamese nationality without needing to meet traditional requirements such as proficiency in the Vietnamese language, a minimum of five years’ continuous residence in Vietnam, and proof of financial self-sufficiency.

Previously, exemptions from these requirements were limited to narrower family ties and special cases involving significant contributions to national development or security.

The revised law now includes minor children applying alongside a parent, and descendants of Vietnamese citizens, including those with Vietnamese grandparents, vastly widening the net.

In another key update, the law now allows applicants to retain their foreign nationality under certain conditions.

To do so, they must ensure that retaining foreign nationality does not conflict with the laws of the respective foreign country, the applicant does not use foreign citizenship in ways that harm the rights or legitimate interests of Vietnamese individuals, institutions, or national security, and the state president of Vietnam grants explicit permission.

Besides, the law now permits the use of hybrid names–combining Vietnamese and foreign names–when applying for or regaining citizenship, a move designed to acknowledge and respect applicants’ multicultural identities, particularly those living and working abroad.

One of the most progressive elements of the amended law is the inclusion of foreign investors, scientists, and specialists as eligible for Vietnamese nationality under favorable conditions.

These applicants may be exempt from language and residency requirements, provided their presence benefits Vietnam’s development, particularly in areas like technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

Compared to the previous regulations, the 2025 amendments no longer specify a limited list of cases eligible to regain Vietnamese citizenship.

Previously, only certain groups such as those married to Vietnamese citizens, returning to invest or work, or who lost their nationality but failed to acquire a new one could apply.

Under the new framework, all individuals who previously held Vietnamese nationality may apply to regain it, provided they meet necessary conditions, including potential dual nationality arrangements (subject to the aforementioned rules and presidential approval).

Those regaining nationality must resume their original Vietnamese name, though exceptions allow the use of combined names if holding dual nationality.

Reformed administrative procedures

The amended law streamlines the naturalization process.

Previously, applicants must submit their documents to the Department of Justice of a locality where they live in Vietnam.

As per the new law, those living in Vietnam may submit their documents to the local Department of Justice, while others living abroad can now apply through Vietnamese diplomatic missions in their countries.

In addition, the new law adds regulations regarding the nationality of children and changes in the nationality of minors, the relationship between the State and its citizens in certain cases under Article 5 of the Law on Vietnamese Nationality and documents proving Vietnamese nationality.

Vietnam News Agency – September 27, 2025