Dual Citizenship: Vietnam and the United States
One of the most common questions among Vietnamese Americans is whether they can hold both Vietnamese and US citizenship simultaneously. The answer is nuanced — and in practice, many Vietnamese Americans do hold both passports.
Vietnam's Official Position
Vietnam's Law on Vietnamese Nationality (2008, amended 2014) states that Vietnam generally does not recognize dual citizenship. When a Vietnamese citizen naturalizes in a foreign country, they are technically required to renounce Vietnamese citizenship.
However, there are important exceptions:
- The Vietnamese government may allow retention of Vietnamese citizenship in special cases approved by the President
- Children born to one Vietnamese parent and one foreign parent may hold dual citizenship until age 15, at which point they must choose
- Overseas Vietnamese (Việt kiều) who have lost Vietnamese citizenship may apply to have it restored
The Practical Reality
In practice, enforcement of the renunciation requirement is minimal. Hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese Americans hold both a US passport and a Vietnamese passport simultaneously. The Vietnamese government generally does not actively pursue renunciation from overseas Vietnamese.
The US Position on Dual Citizenship
The United States does not formally encourage dual citizenship but does permit it in practice. Naturalizing as a US citizen requires an oath renouncing allegiance to other nations, but the US government does not actively enforce this against people who retain foreign citizenship.
Practical Recommendations
- Enter the US on your US passport — US citizens are required by law to use their US passport to enter and exit the United States.
- Enter Vietnam on your Vietnamese passport — This avoids visa fees and simplifies entry.
- Keep both passports valid — Renew each through the appropriate channels.
- Be aware of military service obligations — Vietnam has mandatory military service for male citizens. This is rarely enforced against overseas Vietnamese but is technically applicable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my Vietnamese citizenship when I become a US citizen?
Technically yes under Vietnamese law, but in practice Vietnam rarely enforces this. Many Vietnamese Americans become US citizens and continue to use their Vietnamese passport without issue.
Can I own property in Vietnam as a US citizen?
Foreign nationals (including Vietnamese Americans with only US citizenship) can own apartments in Vietnam but face restrictions on land ownership. Vietnamese citizens have full property rights. This is one practical reason some Vietnamese Americans maintain their Vietnamese citizenship.
Can I restore my Vietnamese citizenship if I lost it?
Yes. Overseas Vietnamese who have lost their citizenship can apply for restoration at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate. The process requires documentation of your Vietnamese origin and a formal application.