Citizenship in Vietnam

Foreign citizens living in Vietnam for a minimum period of 5 years, based on permanent residency, qualify for citizenship.  Below, we invite you to discover what it entails to obtain a passport here and how our Vietnamese lawyers can help you.

How can a person acquire citizenship in Vietnam?

The available pathways are:

• by birth;
• by descent;
• by naturalization.

What are the requirements to fulfil for obtaining Vietnamese citizenship?

The applicat must:

• adhere to the Vietnamese legal requirements;
• respect the traditions, customs, and habits of Vietnam’s ethnic groups;
• abide by the laws and the constitution of Vietnam;
• knows Vietnamese well enough to integrate into the Vietnamese community;
• has lived in Vietnam for minimum 5 years prior to submitting an application for naturalization;
• is able to maintain himself/ herself after becoming citizen of this country.

Another requirement is for a foreign citizen to take up a Vietnamese name, which must be specified explicitly in the citizenship application decision.

How can one obtain citizenship by birth in Vietnam?

People who are born in Vietnam are not granted citizenship automatically unless they have stateless parents who hold permanent residence in Vietnam. Abandoned children are also granted citizenship in Vietnam in 2026.

How can one apply for citizenship by descent in Vietnam?

It is possible to obtain citizenship in Vietnam in 2026 if a person has origins in this country and is in one of these situations:

• has Vietnamese parents;
• has at least one Vietnamese parent, while the other is a stateless;
• has at least one Vietnamese parent, and the other parent is a foreign national, and the parents choose Vietnamese nationality when registering the birth (if the child is born in Vietnam and the parents cannot agree, the child is Vietnamese).

We have also created an infographic on this subject:

What documents are required to submit for obtaining a Vietnamese passport?

• a copy of the permanent residence visa;
• copies of the birth certificate, passport, or other identification documents;
• a CV;
• a clean criminal record for the duration of stay in Vietnam;
• proof of speaking Vietnamese (diplomas from courses or training in Vietnamese);
• proof of self-sustenance and having a place to live.

Where do I submit the documents for naturalization?

Applications are filed with the provincial Department of Justice where you live; the Ministry of Justice then reviews them and the President decides. If you live abroad, you file with the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in your country of residence. They can usually be found in major cities.

Can I send the documents by traditional post?

Yes, you can.

IMPORTANT! The documents must be notarized or sent in original when delivered by post. Also, in the case of declarations made by the applicants, the signatures on them must be certified.

What are the sources of income that I can use to prove I meet the living conditions imposed when filing for citizenship in Vietnam?

Here are some of them:

• the employment contract;
• the assets you own in Vietnam;
• sponsorship offered by a Vietnamese company or any other recognized organization.

Are there any exceptions to the regular criteria to obtain Vietnamese citizenship?

Yes, there are. In the following cases, the language and the 5-year permanent residence requirements do not apply to people who:

• are married to a Vietnamese citizen;
• are children, parents or grandchildren of a Vietnamese citizen (have a Vietnamese parent, child or grandparent);
• are minor at the time their parents apply for Vietnamese nationality;
• have made significant contributions to the country;
• their naturalization favors the country in a direct manner.

You can also watch our video on this subject:

What are the rules under which a person can have dual citizenship in Vietnam?

Foreigners who have obtained Vietnamese citizenship can retain their former nationality if they are directly related to a Vietnamese person or have special merits or benefit the State, provided the President permits it in each case.

What are the documents that I need to file if I qualify for dual citizenship in Vietnam?

You must submit proof that dual citizenship is accepted in your country of origin, as well as a declaration that you will not use your other citizenship to go against Vietnam’s interests.

How long does it take for the Vietnamese authorities to process my citizenship request in 2026?

The procedure takes about 3 months to complete, and following it, you will attend the naturalization ceremony. Only after the latter, the authorities will issue your new passport, the physical ID, and the electronic ID card.

Is the Vietnamese passport a strong one?

No, it ranks in the lower part of global passport indexes, enabling holders to travel to only about 50 countries with no visa or simplified visa requirements, such as electronic travel documents.

If you want to relocate to Vietnam and want to apply for citizenship, do not hesitate to contact our local lawyers who can support you with various services based on your country of origin. Our lawyers can also help you start a company in Vietnam with no minimum share capital required for LLC.