A recent case in Ho Chi Minh City has sparked controversy over the legality of registering a child’s name with a foreign surname. A woman, T.N.T.T., found herself at odds with local authorities when she attempted to name her newborn daughter MIA, incorporating her husband’s foreign surname.
The incident unfolded when T.N.T.T., who holds both Vietnamese and foreign citizenship, went to register her child’s birth after giving birth in early March 2025. She approached the authorities with the understanding, based on prior advice from a legal officer, that her chosen name would be accepted. However, upon visiting the registration office, another officer insisted that she could not register her daughter with a foreign name due to Vietnamese nationality laws.
T.N.T.T. expressed her frustration: “Before the childbirth, I inquired with a legal officer about how to name my child and was assured it would be permissible. Yet when I went to register, I was told otherwise.” She stated that her child’s name MIA not only holds a charming significance but also has a Vietnamese spelling that is easy to write.
According to an officer from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Justice, the naming issue revolves around nationality. Vietnamese law mandates that all children born with Vietnamese nationality must register their names in Vietnamese. “Since the couple is looking to establish their child’s Vietnamese nationality, the name must adhere to Vietnamese language rules,” the officer explained.
For parents considering giving their child a foreign name, the regulations are clear. If T.N.T.T. and her husband decide that their child should hold foreign nationality, they must formalize this decision in writing. This would involve contacting the relevant foreign consulate in Ho Chi Minh City and then registering the child’s birth at the local District People’s Committee with the approved foreign name.
T.N.T.T. is not alone in her confusion regarding these regulations surrounding naming rights in Vietnam. Lawyer Hua Thi Thao elaborated on Circular 04/2020, which outlines specific rules for naming children in Vietnam. It emphasizes that an individual’s name must be in Vietnamese or another recognized ethnic language within the country. The circular aims to preserve cultural integrity and maintain traditional customs.
Thao clarified, “The name of a Vietnamese citizen must be in Vietnamese or in another ethnic language. Consequently, naming a child in English is not permissible if the child is considered a Vietnamese citizen.” This statement reinforces the official standpoint that foreign names are only allowed for children recognized as having foreign citizenship.
The couple faces a significant decision ahead. If they choose to give their child Vietnamese nationality, they will have to abandon their desire to use a foreign name. On the other hand, opting for foreign citizenship could pave the way for MIA to be officially recognized under the name cherished by her parents.
As these regulations unfold in public discourse, one must wonder how many other parents could be facing similar situations. How do these national identity laws impact the daily lives of ethnic minorities or those with cross-cultural marriages in Vietnam?
Rights over personal names might seem like a minor legal matter, but it encapsulates larger themes of identity, belonging, and cultural preservation within a rapidly globalizing world. The case of T.N.T.T. thus serves not only as an individual’s struggle but also points to broader questions regarding Vietnamese nationality and identity.
As families navigate these complex legal pathways, it highlights the importance of clear communication between citizens and authorities, ensuring that decisions about naming and nationality are understood in accordance with the law. In an era of increasing mobility and mixed-nationality families, adapting legal frameworks to suit these modern realities remains an ongoing challenge for Vietnamese society.
The inquiry from T.N.T.T. reflects a growing need for guidance about naming conventions in a multicultural context. The importance of clarity regarding the nationality laws and naming rights will be crucial for many families as Vietnam continues to establish itself as a prominent player on the global stage.
This specific incident exemplifies just one of the many challenges faced by families who straddle multiple cultural identities, emphasizing the necessity for legal systems to evolve alongside society’s demographics.
