Changes to the Vietnamese nationality law can help former Vietnamese who may want to get their Vietnamese nationality back, but be careful of the Dutch law.
If you are a former Vietnamese refugee, or a more recent migrant, who became Dutch, and you want your Vietnamese nationality back then good news! This may be possible as of 01 July 2025. However, be careful because for some this could result in the automatic and immediate loss of their Dutch nationality. This loss can for some people be prevented. Read more about that below. Let’s first explain the Vietnamese changes to the law.
On 24 June 2025 the Vietnamese National Assembly passed Law No. 79/2025/QH15 changing the Vietnamese Nationality Law. Effective from 1 July 2025, the Law introduces significant changes which now allows for dual nationality. For the Vietnamese community in the Netherlands the most important changes are:
Vietnam allows Dual Nationality in some cases
With the new law there is a relaxation on the insistence of a single nationality. Now Vietnam allows more people to have or keep the Dutch nationality. A former Vietnamese national may retain their Dutch nationality if the Netherlands allows this as well (see below). Vietnam allows this if you have a Vietnamese child, parent, grandparent or spouse, or you made significant contributions to Vietnam, or you are a minor (not yet 18) with a Vietnamese parent. Keep in mind that Dutch nationality law is restrictive and does not allow dual nationality except for a few exemptions, read more on that below. You need to ensure that both laws line up to allow dual nationality, or chose just one of them.
Vietnam only recognises Vietnamese nationality in Vietnam.
Be aware that when in Vietnam the authorities will not recognise your Dutch nationality. This is internationally the case in most countries with respect to dual nationality. This means you can not depend on consular assistance from the Dutch government when in Vietnam. Although consular assistance may be offered, there is not much the Dutch government can do when you have the nationality of that country as well (normal). You are required to follow the Vietnamese laws. Although, that is also normal and also applies to visiting or resident foreigners.
Requirements on Vietnamese language, residency and finances are relaxed.
If you have (biological) Vietnamese parents, grandparents, or are a minor with a Vietnamese parent then you do not need to speak Vietnamese, live in Vietnam or have evidence that you are financially self-sufficient.
Everyone who wants their Vietnamese nationality back will be considered
Article 23 paragraph/clause 1 allows anyone who has lost Vietnamese nationality to apply. Previously this was not always for everyone possible. Although everyone will be considered, that doesn’t mean everyone will be approved.
Vietnamese name
You are required to use your former Vietnamese name or choose one. If you ask to remain Dutch then you may choose a hybrid name. Combining the Vietnamese and Dutch name. The Dutch law is unfortunately more restrictive on name changes and will not normally accept a Vietnamese hybrid name change. To change your Dutch records you would need to follow court procedures. If you earlier chose a Dutch name when becoming Dutch then this may ultimately result in you ending up with two different names. Although being the same person, this can create bureaucratic challenges as you factually will end up having two identities. While having two different names will be legal, it can create bureaucratic confusion or even legal issues in the future. Think about evidencing you are the same person with respect to pensions, passport renewals, property ownership, etc. It is best to keep the same name, if possible.
Applications can be made at the Vietnamese embassy (in the Netherlands)
Before applications had to be made while living in Vietnam. Now former Vietnamese nationals can apply at the Vietnamese embassy in Vietnam, or if living in Vietnam. For others (spouses etc) you do need to live in Vietnam. Spouses of Vietnamese nationals are required to be resident, but not permanent residency, and do not require the 5 years residency previously required.
Be Careful of the Netherlands Nationality law and automatic loss of Dutch nationality
If you are Dutch and want to become Vietnamese (again) then the Dutch law only allows some possibilities. Remember, you need to comply with both sets of law to end up with dual nationality. Here are the exemptions in Dutch law.
A ) You having been born in Vietnam, and resident there when getting that nationality.
This means that if you were born in Vietnam, you first would need to move back to Vietnam and then get the Vietnamese nationality when resident there. Later you will need to be able to show the Dutch authorities evidence of your Vietnamese residency and naturalisation/repair of nationality.
B ) You have lived continuous in the other country for at least 5 years as a minor.
If you lived in Vietnam for 5 years or more while you were a child, a minor, then you can get the Vietnamese nationality without losing the Dutch one. In the Netherlands you become an adult at age 18, before 1985 you would become an adult at age 21, or you would be regarded an adult if you married before these ages. It doesn’t matter which nationality you had when you lived in Vietnam. Later, you will need to evidence to the Dutch authorities that you lived these years in Vietnam. Tip! Organise/collect your evidence before you become Vietnamese.
C ) Being married to a Vietnamese national
If on the day that you become Vietnamese you are already married to a Vietnamese national then you do not lose your Dutch nationality. Thus you need to be married at least one day before you become Vietnamese and you should stay married until at least one day after having become Vietnamese. So be extremely careful of your spouse on the day, careful crossing the road, but the day after you can go parachute jumping, rock climbing and sailing again. If your marriage is resolved after (divorce, death), you do not lose your Dutch nationality.
Preventable later loss of Dutch nationality
IMPORTANT, once you are a dual national the Dutch law can still result in later automatic loss of nationality through the so called 13-Year Clock (previously 10 years), irrespective of the initial exception above. But don’t worry too much, this loss can be avoided. If you are a dual national and go live outside the European Union (EU) then you can lose your Dutch nationality after 13 years. This so-called Clock starts ticking the moment the three conditions come together.
- Being, or becoming, a dual national.
- Living, or going to live, outside the European Union (EU).
- Being, or becoming, an adult (age 18 or earlier marriage).
When those three aspects come together the so-called Clock starts ticking. At the end of the clock, you automatically lose your Dutch nationality. You can prevent this loss by restarting the Clock by getting a Dutch passport issued. The date of issue (not application) restarts the 13-Year Clock. So, as long as you keep your Dutch passport valid you will be fine. The law may change on this in the future.
Dual Nationality
Keep in mind that with dual nationality both countries have a claim on you with respect to certain civil responsibilities. The most important one probably being military service. And although the Netherlands no longer has any active conscription going on, the conscription law still exists and the government could start it tomorrow if they wanted to. In Vietnam men between 18 and 25 are required to military service, but can sometimes be exempted or get a delay. Over the age of 28 you could avoid Vietnamese military service. The law of the country you are in will apply. When in one of the countries you cannot normally ask for consular assistance or protection from the other country. With the changes in the law Vietnam now does allow dual nationality but will not recognise the other nationality. This is normal in most countries worldwide, including the Netherlands. In most cases dual nationality has more benefits than any possible negatives, but you should be aware of these things. Also be aware of future changes to relevant laws in both countries.
Nationality Law of Vietnam
You can find the history and full text of the Vietnamese nationality law here. The only consolidated and updated English version you can find online (as far as we know).
Written by
This article was written by Kris von Habsburg. If you have concerns about keeping your Dutch nationality when becoming Vietnamese (again) then you can contact Kris von Habsburg, Specialist Dutch Nationality lawyer and his team. We do not provide Vietnamese lawyers and for that we suggest you search for your own legal advise on the Vietnamese law and procedures elsewhere.
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.