As lawyers on Dutch, German, British, Portuguese, and other some other nationality laws we sometimes deal with other countries their laws as well, due to dual nationality. Keep in mind that multiple nationality requires to look at the permitting laws of all relevant countries. We highlight here the Vietnamese nationality law.
The Vietnamese nationality law has allowed dual nationality for just a few exceptions in law. Just like the Netherlands it follows the (old-fashioned feudal) principle of a single nationality. Over time the Vietnamese law modernised allowing dual nationality in more situations. The 01 July 2025 changes have had a huge impact. We start with an introduction to the historic origin of Vietnamese nationality law, and we publish an unofficial consolidated English version of the current amended Vietnamese nationality law (effective 01 July 2025). The only consolidated and updated English version you can find online (as far as we know).
Disclaimers:
We are not Vietnamese registered lawyers and not active in Vietnam. We specialise in Dutch law (amongst others) and this publication is with reference to Dutch-Vietnamese dual nationality, or any other relevant combination.
The text on the law below is copied from Vietnamese government publication and in the process there could have been some errors. The translation was made electronically and could also have errors. This information is for your reference only and can not be used in any official/formal way, and should only be used for further references and research.
The History of Vietnamese Nationality Law
Vietnam’s nationality law wasn’t created in one go, it evolved from centuries of dynastic governance, Confucian ethics, and colonial laws and influences. The result is a legal framework that blends tradition with its newly found independence.
Before the French colonial period Vietnam had a rich tradition of legal codes rooted in Confucian philosophy and dynastic governance. While there wasn’t a “nationality law” in the modern sense, several imperial codes governed identity, citizenship-like status, and obligations to the state.
Pre-Colonial Vietnamese Legal Instruments Related to Nationality
| Period | Legal Code | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Lê Dynasty 1483 | Hồng Đức Code (Quốc Triều Hình Luật) | Recognition of subjects of the Vietnamese kingdom; included rules on family, inheritance, and obligations to the emperor. |
| Nguyễn Dynasty 1815 | Gia Long Code (Hoàng Triều Luật Lệ) | Modeled after Qing Chinese law; codified civil, criminal, and administrative rules; defined subjects of the empire. |
Subjects of the Emperor: Loyalty and identity were tied to the monarch and Confucian hierarchy, not to a nation-state.
Ancestor Worship & Village Loyalty: Social identity was deeply rooted in family lineage and local community, which shaped legal obligations.
Legal Status: Rights and duties were based on social class, gender, and family role—not on nationality/citizenship as we define it today.
These codes didn’t define nationality in the modern sense, but they laid the groundwork for later laws by formalising who belonged to the realm and how they were governed.
Napoleonic Code in Vietnam
The Napoleonic Code (French Civil Code of 1804) began influencing Vietnamese law during the French colonial period, but it wasn’t adopted fully or all at once. Instead, it was gradually introduced through region-specific civil codes:
| Region | Vietnamese Colonial Civil Code Modelled on Napoleonic Code | Date Introduced | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Vietnam (Cochinchina) | Simplified Civil Code | October 3, 1883 | March 26, 1884 |
| Northern Vietnam (Tonkin) | Tonkin Civil Code | 1931 | 1931 |
| Central Vietnam (Annam) | Annam Civil Code | 1936 | 1936 |
These codes were heavily modelled on the 1804 French Civil Code. However, they were adapted to Vietnamese customs and often coexisted with traditional laws like the Gia Long Code (1815).
So while the Napoleonic Code itself wasn’t directly enacted in Vietnam, its principles became law through these colonial-era civil codes, starting in 1884 in the South, and later in the 1930s in the North and Central regions.
Vietnamese Nationality Law Timeline (1883–2025)
| Year | Legal Instrument | Effective Date | Key Changes & Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1883–1945 | French Colonial Decrees | Various (pre-1945) | Vietnamese people were classified as French subjects; nationality was governed by colonial civil codes. |
| 1945 | Provisional Government Decree | 02 September 1945 | Upon independence, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam declared the Vietnamese nationality. |
| 1956 | Ordinance on Vietnamese Nationality | 28 October 1956 | First formal nationality law in North Vietnam; emphasized a single nationality. |
| 1975 | Reunification | 02 July 1976 | South and North Vietnam unified; nationality consolidated under socialist legal framework. |
| 1988 | Ordinance on Nationality | 01 March 1989 | Recognized overseas Vietnamese; updated rules for naturalisation and renunciation. |
| 1998 | Law on Vietnamese Nationality No. 07/1998/QH10 | 01 July 1999 | Expanded conditions for citizenship; introduced clearer definitions for overseas Vietnamese. |
| 2008 | Law No. 24/2008/QH12 | New Nationality Law 01 July 2009 | Simplified terminology; retained core provisions; introduced category “persons of Vietnamese origin residing abroad.” |
| 2025 | Law No. 79/2025/QH15 | Amendments 01 July 2025 | Major reform: dual nationality permitted in special cases; streamlined procedures; expanded eligibility. (see the consolidated law below) |
Vietnamese Nationality Law After Independence
When Vietnam declared independence in 1945, the Provisional Government issued its first decree on Vietnamese nationality. While not a codified law, it marked the beginning of nationality/citizenship rooted in:
- Ethnic and cultural affiliation, rather than just legal status
- Lineage-based nationality, drawing from Confucian legal logic
- Loyalty to the revolutionary state, echoing imperial expectations of allegiance
By the 1956 ordinance in North Vietnam, and especially the 1988 and 1998 nationality reforms, you begin to see a shift toward individual rights and legal clarity. Although even these retained strong ties to descent-based identity and state-defined loyalty. The Napoleonic Code Civil still had a strong influence in the nationality law, similarly like in many other countries. Like in many other countries the Napoleonic (big brother) Code Civil also influenced other aspects of law, such as required records on residency/household registration.
The current (amended) 2008 Nationality Law (Law No. 24/2008/QH12) continued to emphasize:
- Descent over birthright (jus sanguinis over jus soli)
- Recognition of overseas Vietnamese as kin, not just legal applicants
- National interest and loyalty as conditions for naturalisation
So while the laws modernised over time, the DNA of the Vietnamese nationality law still carries traces of imperial codes and Confucian ideals, an elegant blend of old-world identity with modern legal mechanisms. As with many nationality laws in other countries there is always room for improvement.
Vietnam had a cautious approach to dual citizenship, especially for overseas Vietnamese, displaced persons, and women in transnational marriages. While the current 2008 law retained much of the 1998 framework, it broadened access to citizenship for diaspora communities and aligned with international norms. With the latest 01 July 2025 amendment of the 2008 law it took huge steps towards modernisation. While a single nationality, and only recognition of the Vietnamese nationality, is still a core principle, it opened the doors to dual nationality with more reasonable relaxed requirements/exceptions.
The current consolidated Vietnamese Nationality Law
WARNING Dutch nationals can loose their Dutch nationality when becoming Vietnamese. There are some exceptions. More about that here.
Disclaimer: The text on the law below is copied from Vietnamese government publications and in the process there could have been some errors. The translation was made electronically and could also have errors. This information is for your reference only and can not be used in any official/formal way, and should only be used for further references and research.
(This version is updated and consolidated with the amendments of Law No. 79/2025/QH15)
Law No. 24/2008/QH12 of 13 November 2008 on Vietnamese Nationality
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Number: 24/2008/QH12
SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
Independence – Freedom – Happiness
Hanoi, 13 November 2008
LAW
Vietnamese nationality
_________
Pursuant to the 1992 Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, as amended and supplemented by a number of articles under Resolution No. 51/2001/QH10;
The National Assembly promulgates the Law on Vietnamese Nationality.
Chapter I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1. Vietnamese nationality
Vietnamese nationality reflects the close relationship between an individual and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, giving rise to the rights and obligations of Vietnamese citizens towards the State and the rights and responsibilities of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam towards Vietnamese citizens.
Article 2. Right to nationality
1. In the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, every individual has the right to nationality. Vietnamese citizens shall not be deprived of Vietnamese nationality, except in the cases specified in Article 31 of this Law.
2. The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a unified State of all ethnic groups living together on the territory of Vietnam. All members of all ethnic groups are equal in the right to Vietnamese nationality.
Article 3. Interpretation of terms
In this Law, the following terms are construed as follows:
1. Foreign nationality is the nationality of a country other than Vietnamese nationality.
2. A stateless person is a person who does not have Vietnamese nationality nor foreign nationality.
3. Vietnamese people residing abroad are Vietnamese citizens and people of Vietnamese origin residing and living permanently abroad.
4. People of Vietnamese origin residing abroad are Vietnamese people who used to have Vietnamese nationality, whose nationality was determined by bloodline at birth, and whose children and grandchildren are residing and living permanently abroad.
5. Foreigners residing in Vietnam are foreign citizens and stateless persons permanently or temporarily residing in Vietnam.
Article 4. Principle of nationality
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam recognizes that Vietnamese citizens have only one nationality, Vietnamese nationality, except in cases where this Law provides otherwise.
Article 5. Relations between the State and citizens
1. A person with Vietnamese nationality is a citizen of Vietnam.
2. Vietnamese citizens are guaranteed civil rights by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and must fulfill their civil obligations to the State and society as prescribed by law.
3. The Socialist Republic of Vietnam has policies to enable Vietnamese citizens living abroad to enjoy their civil rights and fulfill their civil obligations in accordance with their circumstances of living far from the country.
4. Within the territory of Vietnam, the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
only recognizes Vietnamese nationality for Vietnamese citizens who also have foreign nationality in relations with competent authorities of Vietnam, except in cases where international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member have other provisions. The rights and obligations of Vietnamese citizens who also have foreign nationality residing abroad are implemented in accordance with the provisions of relevant laws. (Change since 01 July 2025)
5. Candidates, elected, approved, appointed, designated to hold positions and titles for a term in agencies of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the State, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, socio-political organizations at the central and local levels; people working in key organizations; people participating in the armed forces of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam must have only one nationality, Vietnamese nationality, and must permanently reside in Vietnam. (Added since 01 July 2025)
6. Civil servants and public employees not specified in Clause 5 of this Article must have only one nationality, Vietnamese nationality, except in cases where it is beneficial to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, does not harm the national interests of Vietnam, and must reside permanently in Vietnam. The Government shall specify this clause in detail. (Added since 01 July 2025)
7. In cases where other laws promulgated before the effective date of this Law have provisions on nationality different from those in Clauses 5 and 6 of this Article, the provisions of this Law shall apply; in cases where other laws promulgated after the effective date of this Law have provisions on nationality different from those in Clauses 5 and 6 of this Article The content of implementation or non-implementation of this provision must be specifically determined, and the content of implementation must comply with the provisions of that other law. (Added since 01 July 2025)
8. Administrative decisions of competent state agencies of Vietnam relating to Vietnamese nationality according to the provisions of this Law shall not be subject to complaints or lawsuits. (Added since 01 July 2025)
Article 6. Protection for Vietnamese citizens abroad
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam protects the legitimate rights of Vietnamese citizens abroad.
State agencies in the country and Vietnamese representative agencies abroad are responsible for implementing all necessary measures in accordance with the laws of the host country and international laws and practices to implement such protection.
Article 7. Policy towards people of Vietnamese origin residing abroad
1. The Socialist Republic of Vietnam has a policy of encouraging and creating favorable conditions for people of Vietnamese origin residing abroad to maintain close ties with their families and homeland, contributing to the construction of their homeland and country.
2. The State has policies to create favorable conditions for people who have lost Vietnamese nationality to regain Vietnamese nationality.
Article 8. Restriction on statelessness
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam creates conditions for children born in Vietnam to have nationality and for stateless persons permanently residing in Vietnam to acquire Vietnamese nationality in accordance with the provisions of this Law.
Article 9. Retaining nationality upon marriage, divorce, or annulment of illegal marriage
Marriage, divorce and annulment of illegal marriage between a Vietnamese citizen and a foreigner do not change the Vietnamese nationality of the parties and their minor children (if any) .
Article 10. Retaining nationality when the nationality of the husband or wife changes
The fact that a husband or wife acquires, returns to or loses Vietnamese nationality does not change the nationality of the other.
Article 11. Documents proving Vietnamese nationality
One of the following documents is valid to prove Vietnamese nationality:
1. Birth certificate; in case the birth certificate does not clearly show Vietnamese nationality, it must be accompanied by documents proving the Vietnamese nationality of the parents;
2. Identity card; Citizen identification card; identification card; electronic identification;
3. Vietnamese passport;
4. Decision on granting Vietnamese nationality; Decision on restoring Vietnamese nationality; Decision on recognizing the adoption of foreign children; Decision on allowing foreigners to adopt Vietnamese children; (Change since 01 July 2025)
5. Other documents prescribed by the Government.(Added since 01 July 2025)
Article 12. Resolving issues arising from the status of Vietnamese citizens who simultaneously hold foreign nationality
1. Issues arising from the status of Vietnamese citizens who simultaneously hold foreign nationality shall be resolved in accordance with international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member. In cases where there is no international treaty, they shall be resolved in accordance with international customs and practices.
2. Pursuant to the provisions of this Law, the Government shall sign or propose the signing of, or decide to join, international treaties to resolve issues arising from the status of Vietnamese citizens who also have foreign nationality.
Chapter II
POSSESSION OF VIETNAMESE NATIONALITY
Section 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 13. Persons with Vietnamese nationality
1. Persons with Vietnamese nationality include persons who have Vietnamese nationality up to the effective date of this Law and persons who have Vietnamese nationality according to the provisions of this Law.
2. Vietnamese people residing abroad who have not lost their Vietnamese nationality in accordance with Vietnamese law before the effective date of this Law shall still retain Vietnamese nationality and within 5 years from the effective date of this Law, must register with the Vietnamese representative agency abroad to retain Vietnamese nationality.
The Government shall prescribe the order and procedures for registration to retain Vietnamese nationality.
3. The Government shall prescribe the order and procedures for confirming Vietnamese nationality. (Added since 01 July 2025)
Article 14. Basis for determining Vietnamese nationality
A person is determined to have Vietnamese nationality if one of the following grounds exists:
1. By birth as prescribed in Articles 15, 16 and 17 of this Law;
2. Obtain Vietnamese nationality;
3. Be able to regain Vietnamese nationality;
4. Pursuant to the provisions of Articles 18, 35 and 37 of this Law;
5. According to international treaties of which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member.
Article 15. Nationality of children born to parents who are Vietnamese citizens
Children born within or outside the territory of Vietnam whose parents are both Vietnamese citizens have Vietnamese nationality.
Article 16. Nationality of children born to parents who are Vietnamese citizens
1. Children born within or outside the territory of Vietnam, if at birth one parent is a Vietnamese citizen and the other is stateless, or if the mother is a Vietnamese citizen and the father is unknown, have Vietnamese nationality.
2. Children born to one parent who is a Vietnamese citizen and the other is a foreign citizen shall have Vietnamese nationality, if the parents agree to choose Vietnamese nationality for their child when carrying out birth registration procedures at a competent Vietnamese agency according to the Government’s guidance. In case a child is born in the territory of Vietnam and the parents cannot agree to choose nationality for the child, the child shall have Vietnamese nationality. (Change since 01 July 2025)
Article 17. Nationality of children born to stateless parents
1. Children born in Vietnam whose parents are both stateless but have permanent residence in Vietnam have Vietnamese nationality.
2. Children born in Vietnam whose mother is stateless but has a permanent residence in Vietnam and whose father is unknown have Vietnamese nationality.
Article 18. Nationality of abandoned infants and children found in the territory of Vietnam
1. Abandoned infants and children found in Vietnam whose parents are unknown have Vietnamese nationality.
2. Children specified in Clause 1 of this Article who are under 15 years old no longer have Vietnamese nationality in the following cases:
a) Found parents whose parents only have foreign nationality;
b) Only found the father or mother who has only foreign nationality.
Section 2
VIETNAMESE NATIONALITY
Article 19. Conditions for naturalisation in Vietnam (Whole article changed since 01 July 2025)
1. Foreign citizens and stateless persons who apply for naturalisation in Vietnam
may be naturalized in Vietnam if they meet all of the following conditions:
a) Have full civil act capacity according to the provisions of Vietnamese law, except in the case of a minor applying for Vietnamese nationality under his/her father or mother, or a minor whose father or mother is a Vietnamese citizen;
b) Comply with the Constitution and laws of Vietnam; respect the culture, traditions, customs and practices of the Vietnamese people;
c) Know Vietnamese sufficiently to integrate into the Vietnamese community;
d) Currently residing in Vietnam;
đ) Have resided in Vietnam for 05 years or more up to the time of application for Vietnamese nationality;
e) Have the ability to ensure a living in Vietnam.
2. A person applying for Vietnamese nationality whose spouse or biological child is a Vietnamese citizen may be granted Vietnamese nationality without having to meet the conditions specified in Points c, đ and e, Clause 1 of this Article.
3. A person applying for Vietnamese nationality who falls into one of the following cases may be granted Vietnamese nationality without having to satisfy the conditions specified in Points c, d, đ and e, Clause 1 of this Article:
a) Having a biological father or mother or paternal grandfather and grandmother or maternal grandfather and grandmother who are Vietnamese citizens;
b) Having made special contributions to the cause of building and defending the Vietnamese Fatherland;
c) Being beneficial to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam;
d) Being a minor applying for Vietnamese nationality under the father or mother.
4. A person applying for Vietnamese nationality must have a name in Vietnamese or in another ethnic language of Vietnam. In case a person applying for Vietnamese nationality also applies to retain a foreign nationality, he/she may choose a name combining a Vietnamese name and a foreign name. The name is chosen by the person applying for Vietnamese nationality and is clearly stated in the Decision on granting Vietnamese nationality.
5. A person applying for Vietnamese nationality shall not be granted Vietnamese nationality if doing so would harm the national interests of Vietnam.
6. A person applying for Vietnamese nationality as prescribed in Clauses 2 and 3 of this Article may retain a foreign nationality if he/she meets the following conditions and is permitted by the President.
a) Retaining a foreign nationality is in accordance with the laws of that country;
b) Not using a foreign nationality to harm the legitimate rights and interests of agencies, organizations, individuals, or to infringe upon the security, national interests, social order and safety of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
7. The Government shall detail this Article.
Article 20. Application for Vietnamese nationality
1. Application for Vietnamese nationality includes the following documents:
a) Application for Vietnamese nationality;
b) Copy of Birth Certificate, Passport or other valid substitute document;
c) Personal history;
d) Documents proving judicial record information issued by a competent authority of a foreign country in accordance with the laws of that country for the period the applicant for Vietnamese nationality resides abroad. Documents proving judicial record information are issued no more than 90 days before the date of application submission; (Change since 01 July 2025)
d) Documents proving Vietnamese proficiency;
e) Documents proving residence and length of permanent residence in Vietnam;
g) Documents proving the guarantee of living in Vietnam.
2. Those who are exempted from certain conditions for naturalisation in Vietnam as prescribed in Clauses 2 and 3, Article 19 of this Law shall be exempted from the documents corresponding to the conditions for exemption. (Change since 01 July 2025)
3. The Government shall specify the documents in the application for Vietnamese nationality.
Article 21. Procedures for handling applications for Vietnamese nationality
1. Applicants for Vietnamese nationality shall submit their application to the Department of Justice if residing In the country, to the Vietnamese representative agency in the host country if residing abroad. In case the application does not have all the documents prescribed in Clause 1 Article 20 of this Law or is invalid, the receiving agency shall immediately notify the applicant for Vietnamese nationality to supplement and complete the application. (Change since 01 July 2025)
2. Within 5 working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid dossier, the Department of Justice shall send a written request to the provincial police agency to verify the identity of the person applying for Vietnamese nationality.
Within 30 days from the date of receipt of the request from the Department of Justice, the provincial police agency shall be responsible for verifying and sending the results to the Department of Justice. During this period, the Department of Justice shall examine the documents in the dossier for application for Vietnamese nationality.
Within 5 working days from the date of receipt of the verification results, the Department of Justice shall be responsible for completing the dossier and submitting it to the Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee.
Within 5 working days from the date of receipt of the request from the Department of Justice, the Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee shall be responsible for reviewing, concluding and proposing opinions to the Ministry of Justice. (Change since 01 July 2025)
2a. Within 20 days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid dossier, the Vietnamese representative agency abroad shall be responsible for examining the documents in the application for Vietnamese nationality and transferring the dossier together with its proposal for Vietnamese nationality to the Ministry of Justice; and at the same time, sending information to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for coordination in performing the function of state management of nationality.
The Ministry of Public Security shall be responsible for verifying the identity of the person applying for Vietnamese nationality at the request of the Ministry of Justice. (Added since 01 July 2025)
3. Within 20 days from the date of receiving the proposal of the Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee or receiving the verification results from the Ministry of Public Security for the dossier sent by the Vietnamese representative agency abroad, the Ministry of Justice is responsible for re-examining the dossier, if it is deemed eligible for Vietnamese nationality it shall send a written notice to the applicant for Vietnamese nationality to carry out the procedures for renunciation of foreign nationality, except in cases where the applicant for Vietnamese nationality requests to retain foreign nationality or is a stateless person.
Within 10 working days from the date of receiving the paper for renunciation of foreign nationality of the applicant for Vietnamese nationality, the Minister of Justice reports to the Prime Minister to submit to the President for consideration and decision.
In cases where the applicant for Vietnamese nationality requests to retain foreign nationality, or the applicant for Vietnamese nationality is a stateless person, Within 20 days from the date of receiving the proposal of the Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee or receiving the verification results from the Ministry of Public Security for the dossier sent by the Vietnamese representative agency abroad, the Ministry of Justice is responsible for reexamining the dossier. If it is found that the applicant for Vietnamese nationality is eligible for Vietnamese nationality, it shall report to the Prime Minister to submit to the President for consideration and decision. (Change since 01 July 2025)
4. Within 30 days from the date of receipt of the Prime Minister’s proposal, the President shall consider and decide.
Article 22. Procedures and documents for application for Vietnamese nationality for stateless persons who have settled in Vietnam
Stateless persons who do not have full personal documents, but have been residing stably in Vietnam for 20 years or more as of the effective date of this Law and comply with the Constitution and laws of Vietnam, shall be granted Vietnamese nationality according to the procedures and records prescribed by the Government.
Section 3
RETURN TO VIETNAMESE CITIZENSHIP
Article 23. Conditions for regaining Vietnamese nationality (Change since 01 July 2025)
1. A person who has lost Vietnamese nationality as prescribed in Article 26 of this Law and has an application to regain Vietnamese nationality shall be considered for regaining Vietnamese nationality. (Change since 01 July 2025)
2. A person applying to regain Vietnamese nationality may not regain Vietnamese nationality if doing so harms the national interests of Vietnam.
3. In case a person whose Vietnamese nationality has been revoked applies to regain Vietnamese nationality, he/she must wait at least 5 years from the date of revocation before being considered for regaining Vietnamese nationality.
4. A person applying to regain Vietnamese nationality must take back his/her previous Vietnamese name. In case a person applying to regain Vietnamese nationality also applies to retain foreign nationality, he/she may choose a name combining the Vietnamese name and the foreign name. This name must be clearly stated in the Decision on granting Vietnamese nationality. (Change since 01 July 2025)
5. A person applying to regain Vietnamese nationality may retain his/her foreign nationality if he/she meets the following conditions and is permitted by the President:
a) Retaining foreign nationality is in accordance with the laws of that country;
b) Not using foreign nationality to harm the legitimate rights and interests of agencies, organizations and individuals, or to harm the security, national interests social order and safety of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. (Change since 01 July 2025)
6. The Government shall detail this Article. (Change since 01 July 2025)
Article 24. Application for restoration of Vietnamese nationality
1. The application for re-acquiring Vietnamese nationality includes the following documents:
a) Application for re-acquiring Vietnamese nationality;
b) Copy of Birth Certificate, Passport or other valid substitute document;
c) Personal history;
d) Documents proving judicial record information issued by competent foreign authorities in accordance with the laws of that country for the period of the person applying for re-returning to Vietnamese nationality residing abroad. Documents proving judicial record information issued no more than 90 days before the date of application submission; (Change since 01 July 2025)
d) Documents proving that the person applying to regain Vietnamese nationality used to have Vietnamese nationality;
e) (Abolished/cancelled as of 01 July 2025).
2. The Government shall specify the documents in the application for restoration of Vietnamese nationality.
Article 25. Procedures for handling applications for restoration of Vietnamese nationality
1. A person applying for resumption of Vietnamese nationality, if residing in the country, shall submit the application to the Department of Justice of the place of residence; if residing abroad, shall submit the application to the Vietnamese representative agency in the host country . In case the application does not have all the documents specified in Article 24 of this Law or is invalid, the agency receiving the application shall immediately notify the person applying for resumption of Vietnamese nationality to supplement and complete the application.
2. Within 5 working days from the date of receiving a complete and valid dossier, the Department of Justice shall send a written request to the provincial police agency to verify the identity of the person applying to regain Vietnamese nationality.
Within 20 days from the date of receipt of the request from the Department of Justice, the provincial police agency shall be responsible for verifying and sending the results to the Department of Justice. During this period, the Department of Justice shall examine the documents in the application for resumption of Vietnamese nationality. Within 5 working days from the date of receipt of the verification results, the Department of Justice shall be responsible for completing the dossier and submitting it to the Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee.
Within 5 working days from the date of receipt of the request of the Department of Justice, the Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee shall be responsible for reviewing, concluding and proposing opinions to the Ministry of Justice.
3. Within 20 days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid dossier, the Vietnamese representative agency abroad shall be responsible for examining the documents in the dossier for the application for regaining Vietnamese nationality and transferring the dossier with its proposal for the regaining Vietnamese nationality to the Ministry of Justice; at the same time, send information to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for coordination in performing the function of state management of nationality.
The Ministry of Public Security shall be responsible for verifying the identity of the person applying for regaining Vietnamese nationality at the request of the Ministry of Justice. (Change since 01 July 2025)
4. Within 20 days from the date of receipt of the written proposal of the Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee or from the date of receipt of the verification results from the Ministry of Public Security for the dossier sent by the Vietnamese representative agency abroad, the Ministry of Justice shall be responsible for re-examining the dossier, if it is found that the person applying for regaining Vietnamese nationality has If the person who requests to regain Vietnamese nationality meets the conditions for reestablishing Vietnamese nationality, a written notice shall be sent to that person to carry out procedures for renunciation of foreign nationality, except in cases where the person requesting to regain Vietnamese nationality requests to retain foreign nationality or is a stateless person.
Within 10 working days from the date of receipt of the certificate of renunciation of foreign nationality of the person requesting to regain Vietnamese nationality, the Minister of Justice shall report to the Prime Minister to submit to the President for consideration and decision.
In cases where the person requesting to regain Vietnamese nationality requests to retain foreign nationality, or the person requesting to regain Vietnamese nationality is a stateless person, within 15 days from the date of receipt of the proposal document of the Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee or from the date of receipt of the verification results from the Ministry of Public Security for the dossier sent by the Vietnamese representative agency abroad, the Ministry of Justice shall be responsible for re-examining the dossier, if it is deemed that the person requesting to regain Vietnamese nationality is eligible to regain Vietnamese nationality regain Vietnamese nationality, report to the Prime Minister to submit to the President for consideration and decision. (Change since 01 July 2025)
5. Within 20 days from the date of receipt of the Prime Minister’s proposal, the President shall consider and decide.
Chapter III
LOSS OF VIETNAMESE CITIZENSHIP
Section 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 26. Grounds for loss of Vietnamese nationality
1. Renunciation of Vietnamese nationality.
2. Deprived of Vietnamese nationality.
2a. Decision on granting Vietnamese nationality, Decision on returning to Vietnamese nationality is revoked. (Added since 01 July 2025)
3. Not registering to retain Vietnamese nationality as prescribed in Clause 2, Article 13 of this Law.
4. According to the provisions of Clause 2, Article 18 and Article 35 of this Law.
5. According to international treaties of which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member.
Section 2
RENUNCIATION OF VIETNAMESE CITIZENSHIP
Article 27. Grounds for renunciation of Vietnamese nationality
1. Vietnamese citizens who apply to renounce Vietnamese nationality to acquire foreign nationality may renounce Vietnamese nationality.
2. A person applying to renounce Vietnamese nationality may not renounce Vietnamese nationality if he or she falls into one of the following cases:
a) Currently owing taxes to the State or having financial obligations to agencies, organizations or individuals in Vietnam;
b) Being prosecuted for criminal liability;
c) Currently serving a sentence or decision of a Vietnamese Court;
d) Being detained pending execution of sentence;
d) Currently serving a decision to apply administrative measures to be sent to an educational facility, medical facility, or reformatory school.
3. A person applying to renounce Vietnamese nationality may not renounce Vietnamese nationality if doing so harms the national interests of Vietnam.
4. Officials, civil servants and those serving in the Vietnam People’s Armed Forces may not renounce their Vietnamese nationality.
5. The Government shall specify the conditions for renunciation of Vietnamese nationality.
Article 28. Application for renunciation of Vietnamese nationality
1. Application for renunciation of Vietnamese nationality includes:
a) Application for renunciation of Vietnamese nationality;
b) Personal history;
c) Copy of Vietnamese passport , identity card or other documents specified in Article 11 of this Law;
d) (This clause/paragraph has been abolished/cancelled as of 01 July 2025. It is unclear if this resulted in the following paragraph/clause numbering being changed as well).
đ) Documents confirming that the person is applying for foreign nationality, except in cases where the law of that country does not provide for the issuance of this document;
e) Certificate of no tax debt issued by the tax authority where the person applying for renunciation of Vietnamese nationality resides; (Changed as of 01 July 2025)
g) For those who were previously cadres, civil servants, public employees or served in the Vietnamese People’s Armed Forces and have retired, quit their jobs, been dismissed, removed from office, or discharged from the army or demobilized for less than 5 years, they must also submit a document from the agency , organization or unit that issued the decision to retire, quit their jobs, dismiss, remove from office, or discharge from the army or demobilize, confirming that the renunciation of Vietnamese nationality of that person does not harm the national interests of Vietnam.
2. In case a Vietnamese citizen does not permanently reside in the country, he is not required to submit the documents specified in points e and g, clause 1 of this Article.(Changed as of 01 July 2025)
3. The Government shall specify the documents in the application for renunciation of Vietnamese nationality.
Article 29. Procedures for handling applications for renunciation of Vietnamese nationality
1. A person applying for renunciation of Vietnamese nationality, if residing in Vietnam, shall submit his/her application to the Department of Justice of his/her place of residence; if residing abroad, he/she shall submit his/her application to the Vietnamese representative agency in the host country. In case the application does not have all the documents specified in Article 28 of this Law or is invalid, the agency receiving the application shall immediately notify the person applying for renunciation of Vietnamese nationality to supplement and complete the application.
2. In case the person applying for renunciation of Vietnamese nationality resides in the country, within 5 working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid dossier, the Department of Justice shall be responsible for publishing a notice of the application for renunciation of Vietnamese nationality in a local newspaper or electronic newspaper for three consecutive issues and sending it to the Ministry of Justice’s electronic information page; in case the person applying for renunciation of Vietnamese nationality resides abroad , within 5 working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid dossier, the Vietnamese representative agency abroad shall be responsible for posting a notice of the application for renunciation of Vietnamese nationality on its electronic information page.
Notices on the Website must be kept there for at least 30 days from the date of posting.
3. Within 5 working days from the date of receiving a complete and valid dossier, the Department of Justice shall send a written request to the provincial police agency to verify the identity of the person applying to renounce Vietnamese nationality.
Within 20 days from the date of receipt of the request from the Department of Justice, the provincial police agency shall be responsible for verifying and sending the results to the Department of Justice. During this period, the Department of Justice shall examine the documents in the application for renunciation of Vietnamese nationality.
Within 5 working days from the date of receiving the verification results, the Department of Justice is responsible for completing the dossier and submitting it to the Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee.
Within 5 working days from the date of receipt of the request of the Department of Justice, the Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee shall be responsible for reviewing, concluding and proposing opinions to the Ministry of Justice.
4. Within 20 days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid dossier, the Vietnamese representative agency abroad shall be responsible for examining the documents in the application for renunciation of Vietnamese nationality and transferring the dossier together with the proposal for renunciation of Vietnamese nationality to the Ministry of Justice; at the same time, send information to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for coordination in performing the function of state management of nationality.
The Ministry of Public Security shall be responsible for verifying the personal information of the person requesting renunciation of Vietnamese nationality at the request of the Ministry of Justice. For cases exempted from verification under the provisions of this Law, the Ministry of Justice shall request the Ministry of Public Security to verify if necessary. (Changed as of 01 July 2025)
5. Within 20 days from the date of receipt of the written proposal of the Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, the Vietnamese representative agency abroad or from the date of receipt of the verification results from the Ministry of Public Security for cases must verify their identity, the Ministry of Justice is responsible for re-examining the records, if it is found that the person applying for renunciation of Vietnamese nationality is eligible to renounce Vietnamese nationality, it shall report to the Prime Minister to submit to the President for consideration and decision. (Changed as of 01 July 2025)
6. Within 20 days from the date of receipt of the Prime Minister’s proposal, the President shall consider and decide.
Article 30. Exemption from personal identity verification procedures
Applications for renunciation of Vietnamese nationality of people in one of the following cases do not have to go through personal verification procedures:
1. Persons under 14 years old;
2. People born and settled abroad;
3. People who have settled abroad for 10 years or more;
4. People who have been allowed to leave the country for family reunification.
Section 3
REVOKE OF VIETNAMESE NATIONALITY
Article 31. Grounds for deprivation of Vietnamese nationality
1. Vietnamese citizens residing abroad may have their Vietnamese nationality revoked if they commit acts that seriously harm national independence, the cause of building and defending the Vietnamese Fatherland, or the reputation of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
2. A person who has acquired Vietnamese nationality in accordance with the provisions of Article 19 of this Law, whether residing inside or outside the territory of Vietnam, may have his/her Vietnamese nationality revoked if he/she commits an act specified in Clause 1 of this Article.
Article 32. Procedures for deprivation of Vietnamese nationality
1. Within 15 days from the date of discovery or receipt of a complaint or denunciation about the acts specified in Clause 1, Article 31 of this Law, the provincial People’s Committee or the Vietnamese representative agency abroad shall be responsible for verifying and, if there is sufficient basis, preparing a dossier to propose the President to revoke the Vietnamese nationality of the person committing such act.
The court has tried the defendant for the act specified in Clause 1, Article 31 of this Law and prepared a dossier to propose the President to revoke the Vietnamese nationality of the person who committed that act.
The Government specifies the documents in the application for revocation of Vietnamese nationality.
2. The dossier of petition for revocation of Vietnamese nationality shall be sent to the Ministry of Justice. Within 30 days from the date of receipt of the petition from the provincial People’s Committee, the Vietnamese representative agency abroad or the Court, the Ministry of Justice shall be responsible for presiding over and coordinating with the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant ministries and branches to examine the dossier of petition for revocation of Vietnamese nationality and report to the Prime Minister for submission to the President for consideration and decision.
3. Within 20 days from the date of receipt of the Prime Minister’s proposal, the President shall consider and decide.
Section 4
CANCELLATION OF THE DECISION ON ATTRIBUTION OF VIETNAMESE NATIONALITY, DECISION ON RESTORING VIETNAMESE NATIONALITY (Changed as of 01 July 2025)
Article 33. Grounds for annulment of Decision on granting Vietnamese nationality, Decision on restoring Vietnamese nationality (Changed as of 01 July 2025)
1. A person who has obtained Vietnamese nationality or returned to Vietnamese nationality in accordance with the provisions of Article 19 and Article 23 of this Law, residing inside or outside the territory of Vietnam, shall have his/her Decision on granting Vietnamese nationality or the Decision on restoring Vietnamese nationality annulled when committing one of the following acts:
a) Intentionally making false declarations or commitments, forging documents when applying for Vietnamese nationality or returning to Vietnamese nationality;
b) Taking advantage of obtaining or returning Vietnamese nationality; taking advantage of retaining foreign nationality when obtaining or returning Vietnamese nationality to harm the legitimate rights and interests of agencies, organizations, individuals, infringing on security, national interests, social order and safety of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. (Changed as of 01 July 2025)
2. The cancellation of the Decision on granting Vietnamese nationality or the Decision on returning Vietnamese nationality of a wife or husband does not change the Vietnamese nationality of the other person. (Changed as of 01 July 2025)
Article 34. Procedures for annulling the Decision on granting Vietnamese nationality (Changed as of 01 July 2025)
1. Within 15 days from the date of discovery or receipt of a petition or letter denouncing the acts specified in Clause I, Article 33 of this Law, the provincial-level People’s Committee and the Vietnamese representative agency abroad shall be responsible for verifying and, if there is sufficient basis, preparing a dossier to propose the President to annul the Decision on granting Vietnamese nationality or the Decision on restoring Vietnamese nationality of the person committing such acts.
The court that has tried the defendant for the acts specified in Clause 1, Article 33 of this Law shall prepare a dossier to propose the President to annul the Decision on granting Vietnamese nationality or the Decision on restoring Vietnamese nationality of the person committing such acts. (Changed as of 01 July 2025)
2. The Government shall specify the documents in the dossier to propose annulment of the Decision on granting Vietnamese nationality or the Decision on restoring Vietnamese nationality.
The dossier of petitions on the annulment of the Decision on granting Vietnamese nationality, the Decision on restoring Vietnamese nationality shall be sent to the Ministry of Justice.
Within 15 days from the date of receipt of the petition dossier from the provincial level People’s Committee, the Vietnamese representative agency abroad or the Court, the Ministry of Justice shall be responsible for examining the dossier of petitions on the annulment of the Decision on granting Vietnamese nationality, the Decision on restoring Vietnamese nationality and reporting to the Prime Minister for submission to the President for consideration and decision. (Changed as of 01 July 2025)
3. Within 20 days from the date of receipt of the Prime Minister’s Government’s proposal, the President shall consider and decide. (Changed as of 01 July 2025)
Chapter IV
CHANGE OF NATIONALITY OF MINORS AND ADOPTED CHILDREN
Article 35. Nationality of minors when parents are granted, regain or renounce Vietnamese nationality
1. When there is a change in nationality due to the parents’ re-acquisition or re-acquisition of Vietnamese nationality, the nationality of the minor children living with the parents will also be changed according to their nationality. (Changed as of 01 July 2025)
1a. When there is a change in nationality due to the parents’ renunciation of Vietnamese nationality, the nationality of the minor children living with the parents will also be changed according to their nationality, unless the parents have any other request. (Added as of 01 July 2025)
2. When only one parent is granted, regains or renounces Vietnamese nationality, the minor child living with that person will also have Vietnamese nationality or lose Vietnamese nationality, if there is written agreement from the parents.
In case a father or mother is granted or regains Vietnamese nationality, the minor child living with that person will also have Vietnamese nationality, if the parents do not agree in writing on the child’s retention of foreign nationality.
3. Change of nationality of a person from 15 years old to under 18 years old as prescribed in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of this Article must have the written consent of that person.
Article 36. Nationality of minors when parents are deprived of Vietnamese nationality or have their Decision on granting Vietnamese nationality revoked, Decision on restoring Vietnamese nationality revoked (Changed as of 01 July 2025)
When parents or one of the two is deprived of Vietnamese nationality or has their Decision on granting Vietnamese nationality revoked, the nationality of the minor remains unchanged. (Changed as of 01 July 2025)
Article 37. Nationality of adopted minors
1. Children who are Vietnamese citizens and are adopted by foreigners will retain their Vietnamese nationality.
2. A foreign child adopted by a Vietnamese citizen shall have Vietnamese nationality from the date the adoption is recognized by a competent Vietnamese state agency.
3. A foreign child adopted by parents one of whom is a Vietnamese citizen and the other is a foreigner shall be granted Vietnamese nationality according to the application for Vietnamese nationality of the adoptive parents and shall be exempted from the conditions prescribed in Clause 1, Article 19 of this Law.
4. Change of nationality of adopted children from 15 years old to under 18 years old must have the written consent of that person.
Chapter V
RESPONSIBILITIES OF STATE AGENCIES FOR NATIONALITY
Article 38. Duties and powers of the President regarding nationality (Changed as of 01 July 2025)
1. Decision on granting Vietnamese nationality, restoring Vietnamese nationality, relinquishing Vietnamese nationality, revoking the Decision on granting Vietnamese nationality, deciding on restoring Vietnamese nationality. (Changed as of 01 July 2025)
2. Decision on negotiating and signing international treaties on nationality in accordance with the provisions of this Law and the Law on International Treaties. (Changed as of 01 July 2025)
Article 39. Government’s responsibility for nationality
1. Unified state management of nationality.
2. Negotiate and sign international treaties or submit to the President for decision on the negotiation and signing of international treaties on nationality in accordance with the provisions of this Law and the Law on International Treaties. (Changed as of 01 July 2025)
3. Directing the dissemination and education of laws on nationality .
4. Regulations on fees and charges for handling nationality matters.
5. Inspect and examine the implementation of laws on nationality.
6. Implement international cooperation on nationality.
7. Based on socio-economic conditions, needs and implementation capabilities in each period, the Government shall prescribe regulations on the implementation of handling nationality files on the electronic environment. (Added as of 01 July 2025)
Article 40. Responsibilities of ministries, ministerial-level agencies, provincial People’s Committees, and Vietnamese representative agencies abroad
1. The Ministry of Justice is responsible to the Government for performing state management of nationality, issuing forms of documents to resolve nationality matters, and compiling state statistics on resolved nationality matters to report to the Prime Minister to submit to the President.
2. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall coordinate with the Ministry of Justice to guide Vietnamese representative agencies abroad in resolving nationality matters, and compile state statistics on nationality matters resolved by Vietnamese representative agencies abroad to send to the Ministry of Justice.
3. Ministries and ministerial-level agencies, within the scope of their tasks and powers, are responsible for coordinating with the Ministry of Justice in implementing state management of nationality.
4. The Committee for Naturalisation of Vietnamese Nationalities is responsible for considering and proposing opinions on cases of application for Vietnamese nationality, application for restoration of Vietnamese nationality, application for renunciation of Vietnamese nationality, revocation of Vietnamese nationality and revocation of Decisions on granting Vietnamese nationality, Decisions on restoring Vietnamese nationality according to the provisions of this Law; annually, compiling statistics on cases resolved on Vietnamese nationality to report to the Ministry of Justice. (Changed as of 01 July 2025)
5. Vietnamese representative agencies abroad are responsible for considering and proposing opinions on cases of application for Vietnamese nationality, application for restoration of Vietnamese nationality, application for renunciation of Vietnamese nationality, revocation of Vietnamese nationality and revocation of Decisions on granting Vietnamese nationality, Decisions on restoring Vietnamese nationality; annually, compiling statistics on cases resolved on Vietnamese nationality to report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice. (Changed as of 01 July 2025)
Article 41. Notification and posting of results of handling nationality matters (Changed as of 01 July 2025)
The Ministry of Justice is responsible for sending the results of handling nationality matters to the provincial People’s Committee or the Vietnamese representative agency abroad to notify the requester and post them on the electronic information page of the Ministry of Justice. (Changed as of 01 July 2025)
Chapter VI
TERMS OF IMPLEMENTATION
Article 42. Transitional provisions
From the effective date of this Law, dossiers on nationality matters previously received shall continue to be processed in accordance with the provisions of the 1998 Law on Vietnamese Nationality and detailed regulations and implementation guidelines.
Article 43. Entry into force
This Law comes into force from July 1, 2009.
This Law replaces the Law on Vietnamese Nationality dated May 20, 1998.
Article 44. Detailed regulations and implementation instructions
The Government shall detail and guide the implementation of the articles and provisions assigned in the Law; and guide other necessary contents of this Law to meet state management requirements.
This Law was passed by the 12th National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, 4th session, on November 13, 2008.
President of the National Assembly
(Signed)
Nguyen Phu Trong
Disclaimer: The text on the law above is copied from Vietnamese government publications and in the process there could have been some errors. The translation was made electronically and could also have errors. This information is for your reference only and can not be used in any official/formal way, and should only be used for further references and research.