On July 1, 2025, Vietnam officially implemented Decree No. 191/2025/ND-CP, a comprehensive legal framework detailing the procedures and conditions for acquiring, re-acquiring, renouncing, and revoking Vietnamese citizenship, as well as confirming Vietnamese nationality and Vietnamese origin status. This decree, issued by the Government, aligns with the recently amended Law on Vietnamese Nationality, which the National Assembly passed on June 24, 2025.
The decree comprises six chapters and 38 articles, covering a broad range of citizenship-related matters. It regulates the naturalization process, the return to Vietnamese citizenship, and the responsibilities of state agencies in managing citizenship affairs. The law and its implementing decree mark significant progress in Vietnam’s approach to citizenship, particularly by easing conditions for certain categories of applicants and recognizing the contributions of outstanding individuals to the nation.
One of the most notable changes concerns the conditions for naturalization. Traditionally, applicants had to demonstrate proficiency in Vietnamese—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—to integrate effectively into Vietnamese society. They also needed to be permanent residents in Vietnam, holding a permanent residence card issued by the competent Public Security agency. The period of permanent residency is calculated from the date the residence card is granted. Additionally, applicants must prove they can support themselves financially in Vietnam, either through legal assets, stable income, or sponsorship by individuals or organizations within the country.
However, the 2025 amendments introduce important exemptions. Individuals recognized for their special contributions to Vietnam’s nation-building and defense, or those deemed beneficial to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, may be naturalized without meeting the usual requirements for Vietnamese language proficiency, permanent residency, or residency duration. According to the decree, such distinguished contributors include those awarded orders, medals, or high honors by the Vietnamese state—whether from the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam, or the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Alternatively, their contributions must be verified by competent Vietnamese authorities based on thorough documentation and expert opinions.
Beneficial individuals also encompass those with exceptional talents in fields such as science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, economy, law, culture, society, arts, sports, medicine, and education. These talents must be confirmed by state management agencies at the ministerial level or evidenced by international awards and honors. Furthermore, entrepreneurs and investors actively engaged in business or investment activities in Vietnam, who have been recognized by relevant state agencies for their positive and lasting contributions, also qualify under this category.
The decree further clarifies the employment of civil servants and public employees who hold dual citizenship. While Vietnamese law generally requires officials in sensitive positions—such as those in the Communist Party, government, armed forces, or political-social organizations—to hold only Vietnamese citizenship and reside permanently in Vietnam, there is flexibility for other civil servants. They may hold foreign citizenship if their dual status benefits Vietnam and does not harm national interests, subject to approval by competent authorities.
Another significant aspect of the decree focuses on the re-acquisition of Vietnamese citizenship. Applicants seeking to regain Vietnamese nationality must provide documentation proving their prior Vietnamese citizenship. These documents can include decisions by the President of Vietnam granting renunciation or revocation of citizenship, or other official Vietnamese records confirming their nationality status. Notably, if the information is accessible through electronic civil status or national population databases, applicants may be exempt from submitting such paperwork.
For those who renounced Vietnamese citizenship to acquire foreign nationality but were denied foreign citizenship, the decree requires official confirmation from the foreign authority explaining the denial. If the denial results from the applicant's fault, a guarantee letter from a close family member—a parent, spouse, child, or sibling—who is a Vietnamese citizen residing permanently in Vietnam, along with a voluntary residence application, is necessary.
Applicants who wish to re-acquire Vietnamese citizenship while retaining foreign nationality must provide proof from the foreign authority that such retention complies with that country’s laws. If the foreign law does not issue such documentation, the applicant must submit a commitment stating the foreign authority does not require it and that retaining foreign citizenship aligns with that country's regulations. Additionally, applicants must pledge not to use their foreign citizenship to harm Vietnam’s legal rights, national security, or social order. Should applicants fail to meet these conditions, they must renounce their foreign citizenship.
The decree also addresses the citizenship status of minors. Children under 18 re-acquiring Vietnamese citizenship alongside their parents must submit birth certificates or other valid documents proving the parent-child relationship if such information is not accessible in official databases. In cases where only one parent re-acquires citizenship and the minor child resides with that parent, a written agreement signed by both parents regarding the child's citizenship must be submitted. This agreement does not require notarization, but the applying parent is responsible for the authenticity of the other parent’s signature. If a parent is deceased or legally incapacitated, appropriate documentation must replace the agreement.
Moreover, the amended law introduces flexibility in naming for naturalized citizens. Applicants may choose a Vietnamese name or a name from one of Vietnam’s ethnic minorities. Those who retain foreign citizenship may opt for a combined name that merges their Vietnamese and foreign names, a practice now officially recognized and recorded in citizenship decisions.
This legislative reform reflects Vietnam’s strategic intent to attract talented individuals, skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors who can contribute substantially to the country's development. The case of Mr. Nguyen Filip, a football player recently granted Vietnamese citizenship, exemplifies the law’s openness to recognizing talents in sports and other fields.
Additionally, the law reiterates that naturalization will be denied if it threatens Vietnam’s national interests. This safeguard ensures that citizenship policies align with the country’s security and sovereignty priorities.
Vietnamese residing abroad who have not lost their citizenship before the law’s effective date retain their nationality. Those without proof of citizenship may seek confirmation from Vietnamese diplomatic missions abroad, with procedures regulated by the Government.
In essence, the 2025 amendments and the accompanying decree represent a more inclusive, talent-friendly, and strategically nuanced approach to citizenship in Vietnam. By balancing national security concerns with the need to integrate global talents and contributors, Vietnam positions itself to benefit from a broader pool of human capital and international cooperation.
As the new law and decree take effect, various state agencies are tasked with ensuring smooth implementation, including managing citizenship records, processing applications, and coordinating with foreign authorities where necessary. The Government’s clear guidelines aim to make citizenship procedures more transparent, efficient, and fair, reflecting Vietnam’s evolving social and economic landscape.
With these reforms, Vietnam not only honors its citizens and those who have contributed to its progress but also opens doors to a future enriched by diversity, innovation, and global engagement.
