Gov’t proposes to relax conditions for acquiring Vietnamese nationality

Firstly, the draft proposes to relax the conditions for acquiring Vietnamese nationality in order to facilitate cases where individuals whose fathers or mothers, or paternal/maternal grandparents are Vietnamese citizens; and to allow foreign investors, scientists, and experts to obtain Vietnamese nationality more easily.

Secondly, it proposes to relax the conditions for regaining Vietnamese nationality, aiming to create favorable conditions for individuals who have lost their Vietnamese nationality to be able to regain it.

In light of the new demands arising from the country's development, and to better meet the legitimate aspirations of overseas Vietnamese wishing to acquire or restore Vietnamese nationality—while also continuing to attract, support, and encourage overseas Vietnamese, including leading experts and scientists in various fields, to contribute to the national development—the amendment and supplementation of certain provisions of the Law on Vietnamese Nationality is necessary.

The draft stipulates that minors applying for Vietnamese nationality through their father or mother, or minors who have a father or mother who is a Vietnamese citizen, will not be required to meet the condition of "having full civil act capacity."

The draft also provides that individuals applying for Vietnamese nationality who have relatives that are Vietnamese citizens may retain their foreign nationality if they meet certain conditions and are granted permission by the President.

Several other provisions have also been amended and supplemented to facilitate the acquisition of Vietnamese nationality by foreign investors, scientists, and experts, with the aim of attracting high-quality human resources.

According to the Ministry of Justice, in 2024, there were a total of 3,592 applications and cases nationwide related to acquiring, restoring, or verifying Vietnamese nationality, including 10 applications for acquiring nationality, 54 applications for restoring Vietnamese nationality, and 3,528 responses to nationality verification requests./.