1. General Conditions for Naturalization in Vietnam
- Have full civil capacity in accordance with Vietnamese law, except in cases where a minor applies for nationality together with his or her parent, or where a minor has a parent who is a Vietnamese citizen.
- Comply with the Constitution and laws of Vietnam; respect Vietnamese culture, traditions, and customs.
- Have sufficient proficiency in the Vietnamese language to integrate into the community, specifically: the ability to listen, speak, read, and write in Vietnamese consistent with their living and working environment.
- Reside permanently in Vietnam with a Permanent Residence Card issued by the competent police authority, with the period of residence calculated from the issuance date of the card.
- Have resided in Vietnam for five years or more up to the time of the application.
- Be able to ensure a stable life in Vietnam, demonstrated through assets, lawful income, or sponsorship by an organization or individual in Vietnam.
2. Cases Eligible for Waiver of Certain Conditions
Applicants may be exempted from some or all conditions on Vietnamese language, residence, and financial means if they:
- Have a Vietnamese spouse or biological child.
- Have a Vietnamese parent or grandparent.
- Have made significant contributions or have interests beneficial to Vietnam.
- Are minors applying together with their parent.
3. Retention of Foreign Nationality
Applicants who qualify for exemptions under Clause 2 and Clause 3 of Article 19 may retain their foreign nationality if the following conditions are met:
- Retention of foreign nationality is permitted under the laws of the foreign country.
- They do not use their foreign nationality to harm the legitimate rights and interests of organizations or individuals, or to infringe on the security, national interests, public order, or social safety of Vietnam.
- They obtain approval from the President of Vietnam.
4. Application Dossier for Vietnamese Nationality
The dossier includes:
- Application form;
- Copy of birth certificate, passport, or equivalent document with personal details;
- Curriculum vitae;
- Judicial record certificate issued by a foreign authority (valid within 90 days);
- Proof of Vietnamese language proficiency;
- Proof of residence and permanent stay (Permanent Residence Card);
- Proof of financial means or sponsorship;
- Three sets were submitted to the Office of the President, the Ministry of Justice, and the competent receiving agency.
5. Procedures for Applying for Vietnamese Nationality
In Vietnam:
- Applicant submits dossier to the provincial Department of Justice; if incomplete, they are notified to amend it.
- Within 5 working days, the Department requests police verification; the police respond within 30 days.
- Within 5 days after receiving verification, the Department submits the dossier to the provincial People’s Committee Chairperson.
- Within 5 days, the Chairperson sends recommendations to the Ministry of Justice.
- Within 20 days, the Ministry reviews and:
- If renunciation of foreign nationality is required, the applicant is notified to complete it; within 10 days of proof submission, the Minister reports to the Prime Minister for the President’s decision.
- If retention of nationality or statelessness applies, the Ministry reports directly to the Prime Minister.
- Within 30 days of receiving the submission, the President issues the final decision.
Abroad:
- Applicant submits dossier to the Vietnamese diplomatic mission; if incomplete, supplementation is requested.
- Within 20 days of receiving a valid dossier, the mission reviews and forwards it to the Ministry of Justice, informing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- The Ministry of Public Security conducts verification upon the Ministry of Justice’s request.
- Within 20 days after verification, the Ministry of Justice proceeds as for domestic cases (renunciation or retention).
- Within 30 days of receiving the Prime Minister’s submission, the President makes the final decision.
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1. Lawyer Vu Thi Phuong Thanh, Ha Noi Bar Association
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Nguyen Duong Anh Vu