Amended Nationality Law: Naturalized people can have a combination of Vietnamese and foreign names

People applying for/returning to Vietnamese nationality while simultaneously applying to retain foreign nationality can choose a name that combines their Vietnamese name and foreign name to ensure convenience for them when living and working in the countries of which they have nationality.

This is one of the contents of the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Vietnamese Nationality, which was just passed by the National Assembly on the morning of June 24.

The law includes provisions on easing the policy of acquiring/returning Vietnamese nationality; relating to the relationship between the State and citizens to affirm national sovereignty over nationality issues; and on simplifying administrative procedures, applying digital technology, etc.

Reporting on the reception, explanation and revision of the draft Law before the National Assembly voted, Minister of Justice Nguyen Hai Ninh said that some opinions suggested continuing to clarify the "special mechanism on naturalization" in the draft Law.

National Assembly deputies vote to pass the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Vietnamese Nationality. (Photo: DUY LINH)

According to the Government , the current Nationality Law stipulates that applicants for Vietnamese nationality must meet many strict conditions such as being a permanent resident in Vietnam and having a Permanent Residence Card (the period of permanent residence in Vietnam is 5 years from the date the person is granted a Permanent Residence Card, except for the case of the wife, husband, biological father, biological mother, biological child of a Vietnamese citizen...).

The new law provides favorable conditions for foreign investors, scientists, experts, etc. to obtain Vietnamese citizenship under open conditions to attract high-quality resources.

Accordingly, people with special contributions to the cause of building and defending the Vietnamese Fatherland or benefiting the Socialist Republic of Vietnam when applying for Vietnamese nationality are exempt from the conditions.

Specifically, knowing enough Vietnamese to integrate into the Vietnamese community; currently residing in Vietnam; having resided in Vietnam for 5 years or more up to the time of applying for Vietnamese citizenship; being able to ensure a living in Vietnam...

At the same time, these cases are allowed to retain foreign nationality if they meet two conditions similar to the case of having relatives who are Vietnamese citizens and are permitted by the President. These cases must submit their applications to Vietnamese representative agencies abroad if they reside abroad.

Voting results. (Photo: DUY LINH)

Also according to the amended Law on Nationality, candidates, those elected, approved, appointed, and designated to hold positions and titles for a term in agencies of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the State, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and socio-political organizations at the central and local levels; those working in key organizations; and those participating in the armed forces of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam must have only one nationality, Vietnamese nationality, and must permanently reside in Vietnam.

Civil servants and public employees who do not belong to the four groups mentioned above must have only one nationality, Vietnamese nationality, except in cases where it is beneficial to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, does not harm the national interests of Vietnam, and must reside permanently in Vietnam. The Law assigns the Government to specify this content in detail.

Regarding the name of the person applying for Vietnamese nationality, Minister Nguyen Hai Ninh said that some National Assembly delegates suggested that there should not be a strict regulation that the name must be in Vietnamese but that it could be a Vietnamized name or that the original name of the person applying for Vietnamese nationality could be used to ensure international integration.

In response to the opinions of National Assembly deputies, the Government has revised the regulations in the direction that people applying for/returning to Vietnamese nationality while also applying to retain foreign nationality can choose a name that combines their Vietnamese name and foreign name to ensure convenience for them when living and working in the countries of which they have nationality.

The electronic voting results showed that 416/416 National Assembly delegates present pressed the approval button, equal to 87.03% of the total number of National Assembly delegates.

The Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Vietnamese Nationality takes effect from July 1, 2025.

Nhandan.vn

Source: https://nhandan.vn/luat-quoc-tich-sua-doi-nguoi-nhap-tich-duoc-ghep-giua-ten-viet-nam-va-ten-nuoc-ngoai-post889096.html