4 Powerful Features in Decree 191/2025: Procedures to Apply For Vietnamese Nationality That Bring Hope to Investors and Overseas Vietnamese

  

New Hopes, New Rules

Some decisions change lives. Others change nations.

Vietnam’s new nationality law may do both.

For years, foreign investors, Vietnamese born citizens abroad, and professionals have struggled with the uncertainty around Vietnam’s citizenship policy and how to apply for Vietnamese nationality. The requirements were complex. The possibility of holding dual nationality was almost always off the table.

That changes now.

Interestingly, the changes come at the time other powerful countries are apply hard policy on immigration matters!

In July 2025, a game changing regulation came into effect, Decree 191/2025 on Vietnamese Nationality. This is not just another rulebook. It is a gateway.

A gateway for those who consider to move to Vietnam. A framework for those who wish to live, invest, and belong officially.

Procedures to Apply for Vietnamese Nationality

Why Decree 191/2025 on Vietnamese Nationality Matters

Vietnam is changing fast. The economy is booming. Global companies are shifting production here. Talents, experts, and overseas Vietnamese are returning to reconnect with their roots. But one thing held many of them back: citizenship.

The legal process to apply for Vietnamese nationality, return, or keep Vietnamese nationality was previously difficult. There were legal obstacles. And for those holding foreign citizenship, very few options exist.

Decree 191/2025 on Vietnamese Nationality and how to apply for Vietnamese nationality is a response to these long-standing issues. It reflects Vietnam’s effort to modernize, internationalize, and humanize its nationality policies.

This decree provides clearer rules. And for the first time, it openly allows dual citizenship in specific cases.

Who Will Benefit and Why This Is a Turning Point

If you are a foreign investor living in Vietnam, a tech expert contributing to the country’s future, or an overseas Vietnamese who dreams of returning to apply for Vietnamese nationality, check for the eligibility for Vietnamese nationality, and the procedures on how to get Vietnamese nationality, and this decree might finally unlock your legal status.

Here is what it provides:

• A clearer process for acquiring or reclaiming Vietnamese nationality
• New flexibility for dual citizenship
• Specific exemptions for investors, experts, and descendants of Vietnamese citizens
• Reduced paperwork and digital submission options
• Transparent approval timelines

For many, this is the first time Vietnam offers a structured, welcoming path to official belonging.

What the New Policy Looks Like in Practice

Let’s imagine that you were born in Vietnam but have lived abroad for quite some time. You want to come home. Start a business. Maybe buy land in Vietnam. Now, with the help of Decree 191/2025 on Vietnamese Nationality, you can:

• Submit your request to return to Vietnamese nationality
• Prove your heritage and current contribution
• Request to keep your foreign nationality
• Receive a decision within a transparent time frame
• Become a dual citizen with full rights

Key Features of the Decree

Let’s explore the highlights of Decree 191/2025 on Vietnamese Nationality:

Dual Citizenship

This is the most powerful shift. The decree allows Vietnamese nationals to retain their foreign nationality, subject to:

• No national security risk
• Approval by the President of Vietnam
• Valid justification: economic, cultural, scientific contribution

Investor and Expert Exemptions

If you are an investor or expert in science, technology, education, or health, you may be exempt from:

• Residency time
• Language fluency
• Proof of financial self-sufficiency

Descendants of Vietnamese People

Children and grandchildren of Vietnamese nationals can:

• Reclaim Vietnamese nationality
• Request simplified procedures
• Apply even if they were never registered at birth in Vietnam

Legal Transparency

The decree sets a standardized process. It reduces discretion and ensures national unity in implementation.

Check How to Become a Vietnamese Citizen 

Decree 191/2025 on Vietnamese Nationality is Vietnam’s signal that it wants its people back. It wants international minds on its side.  You should act now if:

• You are an investor with long-term plans in Vietnam
• You were born in Vietnam and now live abroad
• You want to legally settle in Vietnam with your family
• You want your business leadership to reflect your citizenship

Step-by-Step Guide: Apply for Vietnamese Nationality

Step 1: Determine Eligibility to Apply for Vietnamese Nationality

• Are you of Vietnamese descent?
• Do you hold a long-term visa, work permit, or investment license?
• Are you an expert in a field Vietnam needs?

Step 2: Prepare Your Documents to Apply for Vietnamese Nationality

Depending on your case:

• Passport(s)
• Birth certificate or proof of Vietnamese origin
• Investment certificates
• Work contracts or business licenses
• Residence permit or temporary card
• Language ability

Step 3: Submit the Application to Apply for Vietnamese Nationality

• At Ministry of Justice
• Or through Vietnam’s overseas embassies
• Include request for dual citizenship if applicable

Step 4: Await Verification

• Ministry of Justice processes file
• Ministry of Public Security validates identity and background

Step 5: Receive Decision

• If approved, you would receive an official nationality certificate
• Provincial People’s Committees may hold an official ceremony
• If dual nationality was granted, your foreign citizenship remains intact

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to Apply for Vietnamese Nationality

Can I keep my foreign citizenship if I become Vietnamese?

Yes. Under Decree 191/2025 on Vietnamese Nationality, dual citizenship is permitted if:

• It does not harm national interests
• The President of Vietnam approves it
• You have significant personal or national contributions

Do I need to speak Vietnamese?

Normally, yes. But if you are:

• A high-level investor
• A scientific or cultural expert
• A returning overseas Vietnamese

…then the requirement may be waived.

How long does the process to Apply for Vietnamese Nationality take?

The review may take:

• Up to 30 days by the Ministry of Justice
• 45 days for security verification
• Extra time for Presidential approval if dual citizenship is involved

Can I apply for Vietnamese nationality from abroad?

Yes. You may apply through Vietnamese embassies and consulates. The decree encourages overseas Vietnamese to reclaim nationality.

From Residency to Belonging

Vietnam is no longer just a destination for short-term opportunity. It is building a future of shared citizenship.

With Decree 191/2025 on Vietnamese Nationality, the door is open for those ready to contribute, return, and stay and apply for Vietnamese nationality.

Whether you are a business leader, a second-generation Vietnamese abroad, or a global expert drawn to Vietnam’s growth, this is your moment.

Now, Vietnam is not just welcoming tourists. 

Vietnam is welcoming you, the citizens.

About ANT Lawyers, a Law Firm in Vietnam

We help clients overcome cultural barriers and achieve their strategic and financial outcomes, while ensuring the best interest rate protection, risk mitigation and regulatory compliance. ANT lawyers has lawyers in Ho Chi Minh city, Hanoi,  and Danang, and will help customers in doing business in Vietnam.

Source: https://antlawyers.vn/update/apply-for-vietnamese-nationality-steps.html

5 Crucial Facts About ESG Laws in Vietnam That Could Save Your Business and Reputation

  

The Business World Is Changing Fast

Rules are shifting. Expectations are rising. Eyes are watching.  We are talking about ESG laws in Vietnam.

Everywhere you look, companies are being asked not only to perform, but to perform responsibly. It is no longer just about revenue or market share.

Buyers want answers. Investors want proof. And governments are tightening regulations to hold businesses accountable.

In Vietnam, this change is arriving quickly. Many businesses are being asked to show responsibility, not just in reports, but in reality. That means understanding and following a new generation of regulations.

These ESG laws in Vietnam that cover how your business impacts the environment, how you treat workers and communities, and how your management operates behind the scenes.

In here we will explain what you need to know, why it matters now, and what actions to take so you do not fall behind.

ESG laws in Vietnam

ESG Is Now Part of Legal Compliance in Vietnam

In the past, most companies in Vietnam focused on the basics i.e. getting a license, following tax laws, and avoiding direct violations. If you stayed clear of obvious legal trouble, you were fine.

That is no longer enough.

Modern compliance now includes how your company affects the environment, whether your employees are treated fairly, and whether your management is clean and transparent. These are not just soft expectations from foreign partners anymore but they are becoming binding legal obligations.

The rise of ESG laws in Vietnam means businesses must meet standards in three major areas:

• Environmental: such as emissions, waste management, and resource usage
• Social: such as worker safety, labor rights, and equality
• Governance: such as anti-corruption, transparency, and ethical conduct

Understanding and applying these laws is now important not only to avoid penalties but to survive in a more demanding business landscape.

Make ESG Laws in Vietnam Understandable and Actionable

Many businesses are confused. They hear about ESG. They hear about compliance. But they are not sure what exactly the ESG laws in Vietnam require.

Some try to guess. Some do nothing. Some overdo it and waste time or money.

We are here to give you clarity.

You will learn:

• What legal requirements relate to ESG laws in Vietnam
• Which agencies enforce them
• What risks you face if you ignore them
• And what steps to take right now to be safe and competitive

You do need to understand the key rules that shape your business environment today.

ESG Is Already in the Legal System

Let’s look around.

A factory has to conduct an environmental impact assessment before expanding. A real estate developer is being asked to disclose its emissions and construction waste disposal methods.

These are not future possibilities. They are real examples of ESG enforcement under current law.

And that is exactly why understanding ESG laws in Vietnam is now essential for any business, large or small, local or foreign-owned.

Here is a breakdown of how the ESG laws in Vietnam already exist:

Environmental Laws (E in ESG)

Law on Environmental Protection and its guidance decrees

• Requires environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for many types of projects
• Mandates environmental permits for activities involving waste, emissions, and resource use
• Includes rules on carbon reporting, green labeling, and climate adaptation

• Provides guidance on types of permits, classifications of projects, and technical requirements
• Introduces stricter penalties for violations, including public disclosure and temporary suspension

What this means: Businesses must track their waste, emissions, and usage of energy and water. They must file reports, apply for permits, and meet environmental standards or risk legal action and loss of investor confidence.

Social Laws (S in ESG)

Labor Code

• Prohibits forced labor and child labor
• Requires clear contracts, fair wages, and working conditions
• Promotes gender equality and worker representation (e.g., trade unions)

Law on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)

• Requires risk assessments and accident prevention plans
• Mandates safety training and protective equipment
• Establishes rules for regular reporting of workplace accidents and illness

What this means: Even small businesses must ensure that employment terms are lawful, that workplaces are safe, and that social protections are in place. These are not only moral duties, they are legal requirements.

Governance Laws (G in ESG)

Law on Enterprises

• Requires transparency in management
• Governs shareholder rights, internal audits, and conflict-of-interest rules
• Sets responsibilities for company directors and general meetings

Anti-Corruption Law

• Requires both public and private companies to apply anti-corruption practices
• Encourages whistleblower mechanisms and reporting of unethical behavior
• Penalizes bribery and undisclosed conflicts

What this means: ESG laws in Vietnam is no longer just about external impact. It also covers how businesses are run from within. That includes policies, recordkeeping, leadership structure, and accountability.

Real Trends and Rising Enforcement

Still wondering if this really applies to you?

Here are five signs that the ESG laws in Vietnam are already shaping business realities:

Public Company Reporting Is Expanding

Vietnamese listed companies are already required to report on their environmental and social impacts. This trend is likely to expand to large private enterprises in the next few years.

Foreign Buyers Are Enforcing ESG Contracts

Multinational clients are increasingly adding ESG clauses to supplier contracts. This includes compliance with labor law, waste audits, or human rights due diligence.

Trade Deals Are Not Just About Tariffs

The EVFTA, CPTPP, and other agreements contain chapters on labor and environmental obligations. These impact customs clearance, preferential tax treatment, and buyer selection.

Investment Projects Are Being Screened

Investors from developed countries are reviewing ESG risks before investing. This includes requesting audits or setting ESG pre-conditions before approving deals.

Local Authorities Are Getting Tougher

Inspections by environmental agencies and labor inspectors have increased. Companies that are non-compliant risk being fined or having their business licenses suspended.

6 Steps to Navigate ESG Laws in Vietnam

Now that you know what the laws require, how do you actually respond?

Step 1: Start with a Legal Gap Analysis

Review your current business activities. Compare them with the relevant environmental, labor, and governance laws. Identify where you are compliantm and where you are not.

Step 2: Build Simple ESG Policies

Develop short, clear documents outlining your approach to:

• Waste management
• Labor treatment
• Ethical conduct and transparency

Share these policies with your team and clients to demonstrate awareness and accountability.

Step 3: Document What You Already Do

Chances are, you are already doing something right maybe using solar power, or ensuring worker safety. Start recording those actions. That way, you can prove compliance when needed.

Step 4: Engage a Legal or ESG Advisor

You do not need to navigate ESG laws in Vietnam alone. Lawyers and ESG consultants can help make sense of the regulations, provide training, and develop a compliance plan tailored to your business.

Step 5: Prepare for ESG Reporting

Start collecting data regularly. This includes electricity and water use, waste disposal records, accident logs, and training sessions. Use this data to build basic ESG reports.

Step 6: Communicate Carefully and Honestly

Just be transparent about what you are doing and where you are improving. Avoid greenwashing. A little honesty builds far more trust than flashy promises.

ESG Law Is the New Playing Field

The landscape has changed. What used to be considered a competitive advantage is quickly becoming a minimum standard.

In Vietnam, the shift is clear. Businesses that understand and follow ESG laws in Vietnam will be the ones welcomed by investors, supported by regulators, and trusted by customers.

Do not wait for the audit, the buyer rejection, or the government warning.

Build compliance into your business as a bridge to stronger, smarter, and more sustainable growth.

About ANT Lawyers, a Law Firm in Vietnam

We help clients overcome cultural barriers and achieve their strategic and financial outcomes, while ensuring the best interest rate protection, risk mitigation and regulatory compliance. ANT lawyers has lawyers in Ho Chi Minh city, Hanoi,  and Danang, and will help customers in doing business in Vietnam.

Source: https://antlawyers.vn/esg/esg-laws-in-vietnam.html