Vietnam · Citizenship
Naturalization rules: required residence years, language and civics requirements, and each country's dual-citizenship policy.
AI-drafted, editorially reviewed. Confirm specifics with the official authority.
Naturalization in Vietnam generally requires about 5 years of residence, Vietnamese-language ability, a Vietnamese name, and lawful means of living. Vietnam follows a single-nationality principle, so applicants normally renounce their former nationality (the President may allow exceptions). Applications go through the Ministry of Justice and are granted by the President.
Vietnam follows a single-nationality principle, though a 2025 reform opened a dual-nationality route for defined categories. Ordinary naturalisation is discretionary and generally requires permanent residence, Vietnamese integration and livelihood capacity.
- Government reporting on Decree 191/2025 says naturalisation conditions include fluent Vietnamese, five years residence up to application and ability to ensure a living in Vietnam.
- Single nationality remains the default, but Law 79/2025 (in force 1 July 2025) lets defined categories keep a foreign nationality — including people with a Vietnamese spouse, child, parent or grandparent — subject to Presidential approval and the other country's law.
- Special-merit and benefit-to-Vietnam cases exist, but they remain official discretionary routes.
- 1
Confirm your route and residence
Hold about 5 years of permanent residence in Vietnam (shorter in some family/merit cases).
- 2
Meet language and knowledge tests
Show Vietnamese-language ability sufficient to integrate, and adopt a Vietnamese name.
- 3
Meet good-character and other conditions
Have lawful means of living, respect the constitution and laws, and a clean record.
- 4
Apply to the nationality authority
Apply through the provincial Justice Department to the Ministry of Justice with the required dossier.
- 5
Attend interview / test and formalities
Complete renunciation of your former nationality unless the President grants an exception.
- 6
Receive citizenship and a passport
The President grants citizenship by decision; you then obtain Vietnamese identity documents and a passport.
- Eligible route + qualifying residence period
- Continuous / legal residence conditions met
- Language + civic knowledge test passed
- Good character / clean record
- Application + documents + fee
- Interview / oath / formalities completed
- Dual-nationality / renunciation rule handled
- Citizenship confirmed; passport applied
- Government Portal — nationality conditions 2025
Official government summary of 2025 nationality conditions.
- Government legal text — single-nationality principle
Official legal text stating the one-nationality principle.
Frequently asked questions
Does Vietnam allow dual nationality?
Vietnam follows a single-nationality principle, so applicants normally renounce their former nationality, though the President can allow exceptions.
How long must I live in Vietnam?
Generally about 5 years of permanent residence, with shorter periods in some family or special-merit cases.
Who grants Vietnamese citizenship?
The application is processed by the Ministry of Justice and citizenship is granted by decision of the President.
Government portals
- Viet Nam Government Portal — Central government portal for ministries, policy and legal documents.
- National Portal on Immigration — e-Visa application, visa extension and temporary residence cards.
- Vietnam Customs — Tariff schedules, import and export procedures and the customs single window.