Major Changes to Vietnam’s Nationality Law Take Effect July 2025

Key Takeaways

• Vietnam’s Nationality Law reforms start July 1, 2025, easing citizenship acquisition and restoration.
• Applicants abroad can submit naturalization requests to Vietnamese embassies, removing travel requirements.
• Dual nationality is allowed; children of mixed-nationality parents have clearer citizenship rules.

Vietnam’s Nationality Law Undergoes Major Reform: What Changes on July 1, 2025, and What It Means for Citizens, Expats, and Families

Vietnam 🇻🇳 is set to introduce sweeping changes to its Nationality Law, with the new amendments taking effect on July 1, 2025. Passed by the 15th National Assembly during its 9th session, these reforms mark the most significant update to the country’s citizenship rules since the original law was enacted in 2008 and later amended in 2014. The changes aim to make it easier for people to gain, regain, and keep Vietnamese nationality, reflecting the country’s growing openness and its desire to attract talent and investment from around the world.

This article explains what’s changing, why these changes matter, and how they will affect Vietnamese expatriates, foreign professionals, mixed-nationality families, and others with ties to Vietnam. We’ll break down the new rules in simple language, provide practical steps for those affected, and offer expert perspectives on what this means for Vietnam’s future.

Key Changes to Vietnam’s Nationality Law Effective July 1, 2025

The new amendments to the Nationality Law introduce several important changes. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Easier Path to Regain Vietnamese Nationality

One of the most notable changes is that anyone who has lost Vietnamese nationality can now apply to get it back. In the past, only people who met strict conditions could regain their citizenship. Now, the process is open to all former Vietnamese nationals, making it much simpler for those who want to reconnect with their roots.

• Applicants must resume their former Vietnamese name. However, if they want to keep their foreign nationality at the same time, they can use a hybrid name that combines their Vietnamese and foreign names. This hybrid name must be clearly stated in the official decision to restore their nationality.

This change is especially important for members of the Vietnamese diaspora—people who have moved abroad and may have lost their Vietnamese citizenship over time. It also helps those who want to return to Vietnam 🇻🇳 for family, work, or personal reasons.

2. Naturalization Applications Can Be Submitted Abroad

Before this reform, anyone who wanted to become a Vietnamese citizen had to submit their application inside Vietnam, usually at the local Department of Justice. This was often a big hurdle for people living overseas.

Starting July 1, 2025, applicants living abroad can submit their naturalization applications directly to Vietnamese embassies or consulates in their country of residence. This makes the process much more accessible for the Vietnamese diaspora and for foreigners interested in Vietnamese citizenship.

• This change removes the need to travel to Vietnam just to start the application process, saving time and money for many applicants.

3. Expanded Eligibility for Dual Nationality

Vietnam 🇻🇳 has historically been strict about dual citizenship, often requiring people to give up their original nationality if they wanted to become Vietnamese citizens. The new law changes this approach.

• The amended law now clearly allows people to keep their foreign nationality when they become Vietnamese citizens.
• This is a big step forward for Vietnam’s efforts to attract foreign investors, scientists, experts, and skilled workers. These groups are seen as important for the country’s economic growth and innovation.

By making it easier for talented people to become Vietnamese citizens without giving up their original nationality, Vietnam hopes to become more competitive in the global market for talent.

4. Clearer Rules for Children of Mixed-Nationality Parents

The new law also addresses the nationality of children born to one Vietnamese parent and one foreign parent—a situation that has sometimes led to confusion in the past.

• If both parents agree at the time of birth registration, the child will be granted Vietnamese nationality.
• If the child is born in Vietnam and the parents cannot agree on which nationality the child should have, the child will automatically receive Vietnamese nationality.

This change brings Vietnam’s rules more in line with international standards and provides greater certainty for mixed-nationality families.

5. Updates to Naturalization and Revocation Procedures

The amendments also refine the rules for becoming a Vietnamese citizen and for losing or regaining citizenship.

• Article 19 of the law now has updated conditions for naturalization, though the full details will be published soon.
• Article 33 and the title of Section 4, Chapter III have been revised to better define the reasons and procedures for revoking or reinstating citizenship decisions. This is meant to make the process clearer and fairer for everyone involved.

Background: Why Is Vietnam Changing Its Nationality Law Now?

Vietnam’s original Nationality Law was passed in 2008 and updated in 2014. Since then, the country has seen rapid economic growth, a growing number of citizens living abroad, and increasing interest from foreign investors and skilled workers.

The 2025 amendments are designed to:

• Support Vietnam’s economic development goals by attracting foreign talent and investment.
• Make it easier for Vietnamese expatriates to reconnect with their homeland.
• Modernize the country’s approach to citizenship, especially regarding dual nationality, which was previously very limited.

The changes were adopted with strong support in the 15th National Assembly—87.03% of lawmakers present voted in favor—showing a broad political agreement on the need for reform.

Practical Implications: Who Benefits and How?

These changes will have a direct impact on several groups:

Vietnamese Expatriates and Former Nationals

• Easier citizenship restoration: People who lost their Vietnamese nationality now have a clear and simple path to get it back, without having to meet strict conditions.
• Hybrid names: Those who want to keep both Vietnamese and foreign citizenship can use a name that reflects both identities.

Foreign Investors, Scientists, and Skilled Workers

• Dual nationality allowed: These groups can now become Vietnamese citizens without giving up their original nationality, making Vietnam a more attractive place to live and work.
• Easier application process: Applications can be submitted at Vietnamese embassies abroad, removing the need for costly and time-consuming travel.

Mixed-Nationality Families

• Clearer rules for children: Parents now have a straightforward process for deciding their child’s nationality. If they can’t agree and the child is born in Vietnam, the child will automatically be granted Vietnamese nationality, reducing uncertainty.

Step-by-Step Process: What Applicants Need to Do

Here’s a simple breakdown of the main steps under the new law:

For Regaining Vietnamese Nationality:

1. Submit an application to the Department of Justice in Vietnam or to a Vietnamese embassy or consulate abroad.
2. Provide proof of former Vietnamese nationality and state your intention to resume your former Vietnamese name or a hybrid name if you want to keep your foreign nationality.
3. Wait for review and decision by the relevant authorities.

For Naturalization:

1. Submit your application either in Vietnam or at a Vietnamese embassy/consulate abroad.
2. Meet the revised naturalization conditions (details will be published soon).
3. Declare your intention to keep your foreign nationality if you wish to do so.
4. Follow all procedural requirements as set out in the amended law.

For Children of Mixed-Nationality Parents:

1. Register the child’s birth with Vietnamese authorities.
2. Both parents agree on the child’s nationality at the time of registration.
3. If no agreement and the child is born in Vietnam, the child will automatically be granted Vietnamese nationality.

For official forms and detailed instructions, applicants should check the Vietnam Ministry of Justice’s official website as new guidelines and forms are published.

Expert Perspectives: What Do Legal and Economic Analysts Say?

Legal experts see these amendments as a major step forward for Vietnam 🇻🇳, bringing its nationality rules closer to international standards. The new approach to dual nationality is especially important, as it allows the country to engage more fully with its global diaspora and attract skilled professionals from around the world.

Economic analysts believe the changes will help Vietnam compete for talent and investment, both of which are key to the country’s continued growth. By making it easier for foreign experts and investors to become citizens, Vietnam is sending a strong signal that it welcomes international engagement.

Human rights advocates also welcome the reforms, especially the clearer protections for children’s nationality rights and the removal of arbitrary barriers to citizenship restoration.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, these changes are expected to have a positive impact on Vietnam’s ability to attract talent and maintain strong connections with its overseas communities.

What Happens Next?

The full text of the amended Nationality Law will be published soon on official government websites, along with detailed guidelines on how to apply under the new rules. Additional regulations, known as decrees and circulars, will provide further details on application processes, fees, and required documents.

Vietnam 🇻🇳 may also introduce new policies to help integrate new citizens, especially foreign professionals, into the country’s society and economy. International observers and Vietnamese communities abroad will be watching closely to see how the new law is put into practice and what impact it has on migration trends.

Official Resources and Where to Get Help

• Vietnam Ministry of Justice: Handles all matters related to nationality law and processes applications. Their website will have the latest forms and instructions.
• Vietnamese Embassies and Consulates: Accept applications for naturalization and nationality restoration from people living abroad.
• Official government websites: Will publish the full text of the amended law and provide updates as new rules and forms become available.

For the most up-to-date information, visit the Vietnam Ministry of Justice’s official website.

Conclusion: A New Era for Vietnam’s Nationality Law

Vietnam’s new Nationality Law, set to take effect on July 1, 2025, represents a major shift in how the country approaches citizenship. By making it easier to gain, regain, and keep Vietnamese nationality, and by allowing dual citizenship, the law opens new doors for Vietnamese expatriates, foreign professionals, and mixed-nationality families.

These changes reflect Vietnam’s growing confidence on the world stage and its commitment to building a more open, inclusive society. Whether you’re a former Vietnamese national hoping to reconnect with your homeland, a skilled worker looking to make Vietnam your new home, or a parent in a mixed-nationality family, the new law offers clearer rules and more opportunities than ever before.

Stay tuned to official government sources for the latest updates, and consider reaching out to a Vietnamese embassy or the Ministry of Justice if you have questions about your specific situation. With these reforms, Vietnam 🇻🇳 is taking a big step forward in welcoming people from all walks of life to be part of its future.

Learn Today

Nationality Law → Vietnam’s legal framework governing citizenship acquisition, loss, and restoration procedures.
Naturalization → The legal process through which a foreigner becomes a Vietnamese citizen.
Dual Nationality → Holding Vietnamese citizenship simultaneously with another country’s nationality.
Hybrid Name → A combined Vietnamese and foreign name used when retaining dual nationality.
Revocation → The legal process of canceling a person’s citizenship under specific conditions.

This Article in a Nutshell

Vietnam’s updated Nationality Law begins July 1, 2025. It simplifies regaining citizenship, allows dual nationality, and lets applicants abroad submit naturalization documents at embassies and consulates, improving accessibility and benefiting expatriates, investors, and mixed-nationality families with clearer legal processes.
— By VisaVerge.com