Unlike the case of naturalization in Vietnam, returning to Vietnamese nationality is for individuals who previously had Vietnamese nationality but lost Vietnamese nationality and now wish to regain Vietnamese nationality. Male. However, not all individuals who have lost Vietnamese nationality are allowed by law to regain Vietnamese nationality.

As prescribed at Article 26 Law on Vietnamese Nationality:

“1. Being permitted to renounce Vietnamese nationality.

2. Being deprived of Vietnamese nationality.

3. Failing to register for retention of Vietnamese nationality as prescribed in Clause 2, Article 13 of this Law.

4. Falling into cases specified in Clause 2, Article 18, and Article 35 of this Law.

5. Falling into cases specified in treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a contracting party.”

Returning Vietnamese nationality is only allowed by Vietnamese law in cases where the loss of Vietnamese nationality falls under one of the following cases:

- An individual can relinquish Vietnamese nationality or if his/her Vietnamese nationality is revoked, it must have been at least 5 years since the date of revocation of Vietnamese nationality;

- This individual previously held Vietnamese nationality due to being an abandoned newborn, a child found on Vietnamese territory whose father and mother were unknown, but later lost Vietnamese nationality due to immigration. When he was under 15 years old, he found his father and mother, but the father and mother only had foreign nationality; and

- This individual was previously a minor child living with his or her father or mother, but the father or mother or both were allowed to renounce Vietnamese nationality and there is a written agreement to renounce Vietnamese nationality for this individual.

In case you once had and lost Vietnamese nationality in one of the above cases, you may be considered for permission to regain Vietnamese nationality if you fall into one of the following cases, based on: just follow Article 23 of the 2008 Law on Vietnamese Nationality:

“a/ Having applied for permission to return to Vietnam;

b/ His/her spouse, a natural parent or a natural offspring is a Vietnamese citizen;

c/ Having made meritorious contributions to Vietnam’s national construction and defense;

d/ Being helpful to the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam;

e/ Conducting investment activities in Vietnam;

f/ Having renounced Vietnamese nationality for acquisition of a foreign nationality but failing to obtain permission to acquire the foreign nationality.”

Thus, after giving up Vietnamese nationality, Vietnamese law allows you to return to Vietnamese nationality. In case of wishing to return to Vietnamese nationality, that person must regain their previous Vietnamese name.