By Alfaritsy 
Vietnam may soon allow dual citizenship and ease citizenship rules for foreigners under proposed changes to its nationality law, according to a new draft by the Ministry of Justice.
The suggested revision to the Vietnamese Nationality Law outlines specific situations in which people might be permitted to possess both Vietnamese citizenship and an additional nationality.
Such exceptions would be determined by the Vietnamese government. Currently, Vietnam allows only single nationality, mandating citizens to relinquish foreign citizenship upon obtaining Vietnamese nationality, except in certain cases.
Moreover, specific groups might be able to circumvent current criteria like language skills, required length of residence, and economic self-sufficiency when seeking to obtain Vietnamese citizenship.
Groups eligible for consideration encompass people with Vietnamese citizen parents or grandparents, as well as those foreign nationals who have significantly contributed to Vietnam’s progress and security.
Minors who have at least one Vietnamese parent would no longer require “full legal capacity” to be eligible for citizenship.
This amendment aims to streamline the procedure for previous Vietnamese nationals looking to regain their citizenship. It eliminates present limitations that mainly restrict reinstatement of nationality to people with family connections within Vietnam, as well as investors or those who have notably advanced the nation’s development or safety. Additionally, it includes individuals who formerly lost their Vietnamese nationality without successfully acquiring another one.
The Ministry of Justice stated that this step is in line with global tendencies, as numerous nations currently permit multiple citizenships, thus motivating previous citizens to renew their connection with Vietnam.
By March, Vietnam had restored citizenship to 311 individuals and awarded Vietnamese nationality to 7,014 applicants. It’s worth noting that 60 people kept their initial foreign nationalities after obtaining Vietnamese citizenship.