New Vietnamese Citizenship Laws For Viet Kieu AND Foreigner Spouses

Any word on acceptance of dual citizenship, short of presidential approval?

Asking for those of us not so very skilled at footie 😉

edit: I've asked admin to copy your post to the VIETNAMESE FAMILY LAW ACT sticky thread.

I wonder if this is going to have a major impact on Vietnam contract law and property ownership laws.

Because under this new law, if the Vietnamese spouse and the foreigner citizen buy property together, one would think that they would be treated equally under the law as co-owners instead of as now where the current law really only gives ownership to the Vietnamese spouse.

Any word on acceptance of dual citizenship, short of presidential approval?
Asking for those of us not so very skilled at footie 😉



edit: I've asked admin to copy your post to the VIETNAMESE FAMILY LAW ACT sticky thread. - @Aidan in HCMC

I don't know what your Canadian laws will allow, but the few connections I've already talked to who understand what's going to happen in the United States is that, as long as a formal renunciation of US citizenship is not required, then dual citizenship is fully acceptable in the United States for US citizens becoming citizens of another nation.

they all say as does my wife that a formal renunciation of the foreigner citizenship will not be required.

I'm not quoting the law, but that's the feedback I'm getting from people who are either going through the process or who are getting feedback from Vietnamese sources.

so I still consider the question open, technically.

it would be the only requirement that would keep me from going forward with this.

One requirement: just as the famous soccer player from Brazil who recently was awarded citizenship here in Vietnam, there will be a requirement to adopt a Vietnamese name.

Also, My wife says that everything indicates my new permanent address in Vietnam would be her permanent address in Quảng Ngãi, Even though we would continue to live in Đà Nẵng temporarily.

so I'm accepting suggestions for my new Vietnamese name.... (probably some room for some hidden jokes here)

so I'm accepting suggestions for my new Vietnamese name.... (probably some room for some hidden jokes here) - @OceanBeach92107

"Phước Yêu" works for me😁

I don't know what your Canadian laws will allow, but the few connections I've already talked to who understand what's going to happen in the United States is that, as long as a formal renunciation of US citizenship is not required, then dual citizenship is fully acceptable in the United States for US citizens becoming citizens of another nation... - @OceanBeach92107

Same with Canada.

I'm thinking that even if renunciation is a prerequisite, regaining one's original citizenship (while retaining the newly acquired VN one) might not be an impossibility.

Here is a link to a Vietnamese legal site in Tiếng Việt:

https://lsvn.vn/noi-long-chinh-sach-nhap-tich-tro-lai-quoc-tich-viet-nam-a159482.html

So far I have exchanged messages with about a dozen expats in my similar situation being married to a Vietnamese woman.

Number one question is would I have to renounce my citizenship in my native country?

The answer I'm seeing and being told is that only in the case of someone who intends to work for the government or for the military or join the Communist Party.

Everyone else is free to be a dual citizen.

There will also be an option to retain a hybrid name but I think I already talked about that

I fear this is going to be one of the many "depends on who you talk to" laws, I am also not too keen on changing my name, but it gives a little hope that we might actually be able to be part of Vietnam instead of being 2nd class luggage.

I woke up this morning and suddenly realized no one's talking about what fee will be charged...

Here is a link to a Vietnamese legal site in Tiếng Việt: https://lsvn.vn/noi-long-chinh-sach-nhap-tich-tro-lai-quoc-tich-viet-nam-a159482.html... @OceanBeach92107

Not sure why, but neither FF nor Microsoft Edge give me the option to translate the text on that page.

Here's a translation for members to read, with slight variation from the text in the above link.

.......................................................................................................

"Liquidation" naturalization policy, return to Vietnamese nationality

Hang Anh

"The Law on Nationality has amended and supplemented regulations in the direction of creating favorable conditions for foreign investors, scientists and experts ... to be naturalized in Vietnam with open conditions to attract high-quality resources ...

Striker Nguyen Xuan Son received Vietnamese citizenship.

On the morning of June 24, with 416/416 on the occasion of a vote (approved 100%), the National Assembly officially passed the Law on Nationality of Vietnam (amended). The law will take effect from July 1, 2025.

ATTRACTING HIGH QUALITY HUMAN RESOURCES CONTRIBUTING TO COUNTRY DEVELOPMENT

The report on the acquisition, explanation and correction of the law before the National Assembly pressed the button, Minister of Justice Nguyen Hai Ninh said that most of the comments approved with the development of the Law to promptly remove the problems and inadequacies of the current Law of Vietnamese Nationality, contributing to attracting high-quality human resources to contribute to the development of the country.

The policies in the draft Law will also contribute to creating a competitive advantage between Vietnam and other countries in attracting labor, especially high-quality labor. Some suggestions continue to clarify the “special mechanism on naturalization” in the draft Law.

Minister of Justice Nguyen Hai Ninh reported to receive, explain and correct the bill.

According to the Minister, the current Law on Nationality stipulates that Vietnamese naturalization applicants must meet many strict conditions in Article 19. The draft Law has amended and supplemented the provisions of Article 19 in the direction of creating favorable conditions for foreign investors, scientists, experts ... to be naturalized in Vietnam with open conditions to attract high-quality resources.

Accordingly, people with special merits contribute to the cause of building and protecting the Fatherland of Vietnam or benefiting the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam when applying for naturalization of Vietnam (these cases have been specified in Decree No. 16/2020/ND-CP) exempt from the conditions. Specifically, knowing Vietnamese is enough to integrate into the Vietnamese community; permanent residence in Vietnam; permanent stay in Vietnam for 5 years or more up to the time of applying for Vietnamese citizenship; being able to ensure life in Vietnam...

At the same time, these cases may retain foreign nationality if they meet 02 similar conditions in case of having relatives who are Vietnamese citizens and authorized by the President. These cases are submitted at overseas Vietnamese representations if they reside abroad.

In addition, in addition to inheriting the provisions of Decree 16/2020/ND-CP, the Government will continue to study and concretize the “special mechanism on naturalization” in Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW to conform to the new situation in the Decree detailing a number of articles and measures to implement the Law on Nationality of Vietnam.

THE INTRODUCTORY IS PAIRED BETWEEN THE VIETNAMESE NAME AND THE FOREIGN NAME.

Also according to the amended Nationality Law, the candidate, the election, approved, appointed, appointed and appointed to hold the position and position as a term in the body of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the State, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, socio-political organizations in the Central and localities; people working in the basic organization; the participants of the armed forces of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam must be the person who has only one national.

In addition, civil servants and officials not belonging to the above 4 groups must be the only one national is Vietnamese nationality, except in the case of benefits to the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, does not harm the national interests of Vietnam and must permanently reside in Vietnam. The Government’s Law detailing this content.

Congress pushes the button through the bill.

Regarding the name of the Vietnamese naturalization applicant, Minister Nguyen Hai Ninh said that some members of the National Assembly suggested that it should not be strict names in Vietnamese but may be a Vietnameseized name or can use the original name of Vietnamese naturalization to ensure international integration.

Receiving the opinions of the National Assembly deputies, the Government has adjusted the regulations in the direction of the applicant to enter/return to Vietnamese nationality and apply for foreign citizenship, it is possible to choose the name of the Vietnamese name and the foreign name to ensure the faculties for them when living and working in countries where they have citizenship."

......................................................................................................

source, via Google Translate, VnEconomy.vn

Here is a link to a Vietnamese legal site in Tiếng Việt: https://lsvn.vn/noi-long-chinh-sach-nhap-tich-tro-lai-quoc-tich-viet-nam-a159482.html... @OceanBeach92107
Not sure why, but neither FF nor Microsoft Edge give me the option to translate the text on that page.

Here's a translation for members to read, with slight variation from the text in the above link.

.......................................................................................................
"Liquidation" naturalization policy, return to Vietnamese nationality
Hang Anh

"The Law on Nationality has amended and supplemented regulations in the direction of creating favorable conditions for foreign investors, scientists and experts ... to be naturalized in Vietnam with open conditions to attract high-quality resources ...


Striker Nguyen Xuan Son received Vietnamese citizenship.

On the morning of June 24, with 416/416 on the occasion of a vote (approved 100%), the National Assembly officially passed the Law on Nationality of Vietnam (amended). The law will take effect from July 1, 2025.

ATTRACTING HIGH QUALITY HUMAN RESOURCES CONTRIBUTING TO COUNTRY DEVELOPMENT
The report on the acquisition, explanation and correction of the law before the National Assembly pressed the button, Minister of Justice Nguyen Hai Ninh said that most of the comments approved with the development of the Law to promptly remove the problems and inadequacies of the current Law of Vietnamese Nationality, contributing to attracting high-quality human resources to contribute to the development of the country.

The policies in the draft Law will also contribute to creating a competitive advantage between Vietnam and other countries in attracting labor, especially high-quality labor. Some suggestions continue to clarify the “special mechanism on naturalization” in the draft Law.


Minister of Justice Nguyen Hai Ninh reported to receive, explain and correct the bill.

According to the Minister, the current Law on Nationality stipulates that Vietnamese naturalization applicants must meet many strict conditions in Article 19. The draft Law has amended and supplemented the provisions of Article 19 in the direction of creating favorable conditions for foreign investors, scientists, experts ... to be naturalized in Vietnam with open conditions to attract high-quality resources.

Accordingly, people with special merits contribute to the cause of building and protecting the Fatherland of Vietnam or benefiting the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam when applying for naturalization of Vietnam (these cases have been specified in Decree No. 16/2020/ND-CP) exempt from the conditions. Specifically, knowing Vietnamese is enough to integrate into the Vietnamese community; permanent residence in Vietnam; permanent stay in Vietnam for 5 years or more up to the time of applying for Vietnamese citizenship; being able to ensure life in Vietnam...

At the same time, these cases may retain foreign nationality if they meet 02 similar conditions in case of having relatives who are Vietnamese citizens and authorized by the President. These cases are submitted at overseas Vietnamese representations if they reside abroad.

In addition, in addition to inheriting the provisions of Decree 16/2020/ND-CP, the Government will continue to study and concretize the “special mechanism on naturalization” in Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW to conform to the new situation in the Decree detailing a number of articles and measures to implement the Law on Nationality of Vietnam.

THE INTRODUCTORY IS PAIRED BETWEEN THE VIETNAMESE NAME AND THE FOREIGN NAME.
Also according to the amended Nationality Law, the candidate, the election, approved, appointed, appointed and appointed to hold the position and position as a term in the body of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the State, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, socio-political organizations in the Central and localities; people working in the basic organization; the participants of the armed forces of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam must be the person who has only one national.

In addition, civil servants and officials not belonging to the above 4 groups must be the only one national is Vietnamese nationality, except in the case of benefits to the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, does not harm the national interests of Vietnam and must permanently reside in Vietnam. The Government’s Law detailing this content.


Congress pushes the button through the bill.

Regarding the name of the Vietnamese naturalization applicant, Minister Nguyen Hai Ninh said that some members of the National Assembly suggested that it should not be strict names in Vietnamese but may be a Vietnameseized name or can use the original name of Vietnamese naturalization to ensure international integration.

Receiving the opinions of the National Assembly deputies, the Government has adjusted the regulations in the direction of the applicant to enter/return to Vietnamese nationality and apply for foreign citizenship, it is possible to choose the name of the Vietnamese name and the foreign name to ensure the faculties for them when living and working in countries where they have citizenship."
......................................................................................................

source, via Google Translate, VnEconomy.vn - @Aidan in HCMC

I should have mentioned that this source was posted prior to the passing of the law, to explain the draft but not the final legislation.

Probably just me being pessimistic about what the application process will be like, but I'm wondering what the "Vietnameseized" version of the name Sisyphus would be.

... I'm wondering what the "Vietnameseized" version of the name Sisyphus would be. - @Aidan in HCMC

Dunno, but this: "...roll an immense boulder up a hill only for it to roll back down every time it nears the top, repeating this action for eternity..." should be the dictionary definition of bureaucracy...

Stupid question, but if we have to adjust our name here, would that mean we have also adjust it back in our main country?  passport etc.

There are changes coming in July 1st making it easier for those who are interested:

https://www.reddit.com/r/VietNam/commen … ll_now_be/

Just as the title states, it will be much easier for those of Vietnamese descent to gain Vietnamese citizenship as of July 1st.

Dual citizenship is allowed for the Vietnamese diaspora

Vietnamese diaspora can keep their foreign name when gaining citizenship

Dual citizenship is allowed if your father, mother, maternal grandfather, maternal grandmother, paternal grandfather or paternal grandmother are Vietnamese citizens

Removal of the 5 year permanent residency condition needed for citizenship for Vietnamese diaspora and spouses of Vietnamese citizens

EDIT: Current fees for naturalisation is 3 million dong so I guess the fees will stay the same after this amendment. ~114 USD ~176 AUD

Stupid question, but if we have to adjust our name here, would that mean we have also adjust it back in our main country? passport etc. - @Jackjones85

I guess that would depend upon the laws in your main country.

Anyway, the provision in the new law allows for you to make the choice of a full Vietnamese name or a hybrid name that gives you sufficient identification in your native land.

@isherenow

Vietnamese diaspora can keep their foreign name when gaining citizenship

Arent you required to have at least PART of your name as a traditional Vietnamese name under the new legislation? Like add or replace a middle name? I think the change went from requiring your first and middle to be fully Vietnamese to only partially Vietnamese. I could be totally wrong.

My wife is currently pregnant and we do want Vietnamese and US citizenship for the baby so the name thing is kinda important.

With all these changes going on, there are the changes of

People's Committees of communes, wards and special zones exercise the authority to register household status.

06/29/2025 18:33 | 15 hours ago

(LSVN) - The Government has just issued Decree 120/2025/ND-CP dated June 11, 2025, stipulating the division of authority of local authorities at two levels in the field of state management of the Ministry of Justice. Notably, the Decree clearly states that the People's Committees of communes, wards, and special zones exercise the authority to register civil status.

This Decree provides for the division of authority of local governments according to the two-level local government organization model in the field of state management of the Ministry of Justice; the order and procedures for implementing administrative procedures when dividing authority from the district level to the commune or provincial level.

Decree 120/2025/ND-CP specifically regulates the division of authority when organizing two-level local governments in the following fields: Judicial administration (civil status, adoption); authentication; grassroots mediation, state compensation.

Illustration photo. Source: Internet.

Illustration photo. Source: Internet.

In the field of civil status, Article 4 of Decree 120/2025/ND-CP specifically stipulates the authority to register civil status: People's Committees of communes, wards and special zones (hereinafter referred to as People's Committees at the commune level) exercise the authority to register civil status as prescribed in Clause 2, Article 7, Chapter III of the 2014 Law on Civil Status, Articles 1, 29, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 38, 39 and 41 of Decree No. 123/2015/ND-CP dated November 15, 2015 of the Government detailing a number of articles and measures to implement the Law on Civil Status amended and supplemented in 2020, 2022, 2025; Authority to exploit the Electronic Civil Status Database, confirm civil status information as prescribed in Article 8 of Decree No. 87/2020/ND-CP dated July 28, 2020 of the Government regulating the Electronic Civil Status Database, online civil status registration, amended and supplemented in 2025.

According to Decree 120/2025/ND-CP, the revocation and cancellation of civil status papers and civil status registration contents issued by civil status registration agencies or registrations in violation of legal provisions are stipulated in Point e, Clause 1, Article 69, Point h, Clause 1, Article 70 of the Law on Civil Status and civil status papers and civil status registration contents issued by the Department of Justice or previously registered in violation of legal provisions, except for cases of illegal marriages as prescribed in the Law on Marriage and Family 2014, under the authority of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee.

The People's Committee at the commune level shall perform state management of civil status in the locality; update, exploit and use the Electronic Civil Status Database within the scope of local management; synthesize and evaluate the implementation of civil status registration and management work and compile statistics on civil status registration data to report to the People's Committee at the provincial level.

Judicial and civil status officials assist the People's Committees at the commune level in performing civil status registration in accordance with the provisions of Article 4 of this Decree; synthesize and evaluate the implementation of civil status registration and management and compile statistics on civil status registration data in the area.

Civil status registration agencies specified in Clause 1, Article 4 of the Law on Civil Status include People's Committees at commune level, diplomatic missions, and consular missions of Vietnam abroad.

Civil servants performing civil status work at the local level are civil servants performing judicial and civil status tasks at the commune level; civil servants of the Department of Justice are assigned to perform civil status work. 

This Decree comes into force from July 1, 2025.

In case the household registration dossier has been received by the district-level People's Committee but has not yet been processed or has been processed but then related issues arise that need to be handled, it shall be transferred to the commune-level People's Committee where the applicant resides for further handling. In case the applicant has changed his/her place of residence to another province or resides abroad, the commune-level People's Committee where he/she previously resided shall be responsible for handling.

In case it is not possible to determine the competent commune-level People's Committee to resolve according to the above provisions or the person requesting household registration does not have a place of residence in Vietnam, the Department of Justice shall be responsible for receiving the request or feedback from the people. Within 02 working days from the date of receipt, the Department of Justice shall report to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee or, under the authorization of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, assign the appropriate commune-level People's Committee to resolve the matter, ensuring the most convenience for the person requesting. The Department of Justice shall be responsible for notifying and guiding the person requesting to submit the application to the competent commune-level People's Committee.

@Safepeter

That made my brain hurt.

To paraphrase E.I. Koch, “They can explain it to me, but they can't comprehend it for me.”

@Jackjones85

no need to update your name in your country of origin, due to two explicit reasons: 1) You will not longer be a citizen in your original country; or, if the VN President allow you to keep your first citizenship, your VN ID/Passport will be printed with your two names:  your new vietnamese name and your original name.

Is there a way to view the actual law now then its 01/07/2025 already, somebody mentioned the other was just a draft.

Is there a way to view the actual law now then its 01/07/2025 already, somebody mentioned the other was just a draft. - @Jackjones85

Here is Law No. 24/2008/QH12

Regarding the proposed amendments noted in post #11, above...

"While the full text is expected to be released soon, official portals have revealed some of the most noteworthy changes to the amendment law."

and

"In response to feedback from the NA, the government has amended Clauses 4, Article 19, and Clause 4, Article 23 of the Vietnamese Nationality Law to remove the mandatory requirement of a Vietnamese name."

(source, Vietnam Briefing)

I had read somewhere (can't find the source just now,I'll look later) that in the unfortunate event a dual-citizen finds themselves on the wrong side of the  law in Vietnam, that access to the consular services of one's original country could (would?) be denied. Something to bear in mind.

@Jackjones85
no need to update your name in your country of origin, due to two explicit reasons: 1) You will not longer be a citizen in your original country; or, if the VN President allow you to keep your first citizenship, your VN ID/Passport will be printed with your two names: your new vietnamese name and your original name. - @ajairon

That is an interesting concept if true and yeah Im totally down for that. Hopefully this hybrid approach also applies to Children of Vietnamese and Foreigners that have a child in Vietnam.

I had read somewhere (can't find the source just now,I'll look later) that in the unfortunate event a dual-citizen finds themselves on the wrong side of the law in Vietnam, that access to the consular services of one's original country could (would?) be denied. Something to bear in mind. - @Aidan in HCMC

Yeah this is typically the case around the world and one of the reasons I have heard other expats say they have no interest in becoming a full blown citizen.

anybody heard anything new about this or started the ball rolling on their end ? I was at the immigration office today doing the new id stuff and they didn't seem to have any idea what was new or if at all possible to do it.

anybody heard anything new about this or started the ball rolling on their end ? I was at the immigration office today doing the new id stuff and they didn't seem to have any idea what was new or if at all possible to do it. - @Jackjones85

It's not handled through immigration.

Ministry of Justice is where you apply:

The Law (updated - link)

Application instructions (link)