Vietnam eases requirements for foreigners to acquire citizenship

Alsharq Tribune-AFP 

Vietnam's National Assembly on Tuesday approved the amended Law on Nationality, easing the process for overseas Vietnamese and foreign professionals to acquire or regain citizenship, Vietnam News Agency reported.

Under the revised law, foreigners and stateless individuals may be eligible for Vietnamese citizenship if they reside in the country for at least five years and are capable of ensuring their livelihood.

Applicants must comply with the constitution and laws of Vietnam, respect local culture and customs and possess sufficient Vietnamese language proficiency to integrate into society.

The law allows exemptions from language proficiency, residency duration and financial self-sufficiency requirements for those who have a spouse, child, parent or grandparent who is a Vietnamese citizen, have made significant contributions to the nation, or whose naturalization is deemed beneficial to the state.

Minister of Justice Nguyen Hai Ninh said the amended law creates more favorable conditions for foreign investors, experts and scientists to obtain Vietnamese citizenship, helping attract high-quality human resources to the country.