As of March 2025, the President approved the restoration of Vietnamese nationality for 311 individuals (including 20 cases permitted to retain their foreign nationality concurrently) and granted Vietnamese nationality to 7,014 individuals (including 60 cases permitted dual nationality).
According to the Ministry of Justice—the lead agency drafting the amendments—the revisions focus on three key areas: expanding the scope of individuals eligible to restore Vietnamese nationality, particularly for all those who have lost it and wish to reclaim it; simplifying administrative procedures related to nationality restoration; and reviewing legal regulations concerning the rights and obligations of individuals reclaiming nationality, especially for cases where dual nationality is retained.
While easing conditions for naturalisation and nationality restoration reflects a global trend, any relaxation of eligibility and requirements under the Law on Vietnamese Nationality must be approached cautiously. Thorough policy impact assessments, considering both positive and negative aspects, are essential.
The drafting agency is also tasked with analysing potential legal risks, focusing on the conditions for naturalisation, nationality restoration, and renunciation processes, while ensuring smooth implementation and pre-emptively addressing potential legal conflicts and disputes.
The draft law should also mandate greater use of technology and information systems in handling applications for nationality acquisition, renunciation, and restoration. This aims to ensure transparency, prevent bureaucratic delays, and minimise misconduct.
When processing nationality cases, relevant authorities must strengthen inter-agency coordination, clearly define mechanisms, procedures, and responsibilities to safeguard the lawful rights and interests of both the State and citizens.
Additionally, the draft law should clearly embody the principle of "local responsibility and accountability," whereby local authorities are responsible for receiving and adjudicating applications, alongside reinforcing inspection, supervision, and stringent sanctions against abuses of policy for personal gain.
Statistics from the Ministry of Justice show that the overseas Vietnamese community numbers about six million people, residing in more than 130 countries and territories. This represents a significant resource for national development. Reviewing nationality policies to enable overseas Vietnamese to contribute more fully is essential in the current context. However, while easing conditions is necessary, it must be balanced with upholding core national principles and ensuring sustainable development and stability.
Meanwhile, within Vietnam’s territory, there remain more than 30,000 stateless people of Vietnamese origin living in various localities. They face significant difficulties accessing essential administrative services and improving their quality of life. The 2023 Law on Identity Cards has helped address this issue by facilitating the issuance of necessary documents.
If the upcoming amendments expand eligibility to include individuals who have been issued identity certificates, thereby allowing them the opportunity to apply for Vietnamese nationality, it would clearly embody the principle of "leaving no one behind" and effectively realise Vietnam’s national unity policy.
