Dual Citizenship: Vietnam & USA – What's Allowed?

Short answer: No, you cannot simultaneously hold Vietnamese and U.S. citizenship under current Vietnamese law. The U.S. permits dual citizenship; Vietnam does not (with narrow exceptions).

Vietnam's Stance: Single Citizenship Only

• Law on Vietnamese Nationality (2008, amended 2014): Article 4: "Vietnamese citizens have only one nationality: Vietnamese."
• Article 19: Acquiring foreign citizenship automatically terminates Vietnamese citizenship (ipso facto).
• No general dual citizenship provision. Unlike India (OCI), Philippines (RA 9225), or Mexico.

Exceptions (Very Limited)

1. Birthright Cases: Children born in Vietnam to foreign parents may retain Vietnamese citizenship if they don't acquire the foreign one automatically — but Vietnam generally doesn't grant jus soli.
2. Special Permission: Article 19 allows the President of Vietnam to permit retention of Vietnamese citizenship "in special cases" (e.g., outstanding contributions to Vietnam, high-level talent). Extremely rare, discretionary, no public criteria.
3. Former Citizens Re-acquiring: Vietnamese who lost citizenship by naturalizing abroad can apply to restore it (Article 23) — but must renounce foreign citizenship first.

U.S. Stance: Dual Citizenship Permitted

• No law prohibits it. Supreme Court (Afroyim v. Rusk, 1967; Vance v. Terrazas, 1980) affirmed right to retain US citizenship upon naturalizing elsewhere.
• Naturalization Oath includes "renounce allegiance to foreign prince/potentate" — but State Dept treats this as ceremonial; no enforcement of actual renunciation.
• Practical Limits: Cannot hold certain security clearances, run for President/VP (natural-born clause), serve in foreign military against US, claim US consular protection in other country of citizenship.

Real-World Scenarios

Practical Workarounds (Not Dual Citizenship)

• Vietnam Visa Exemption: 5-year visa exemption certificate (for former citizens, spouses, children) — acts like long-term visa.
• Vietnamese Origin Card: For overseas Vietnamese — some privileges (property, stay).
• Long-Term Tourist/Business Visas: 1-year multiple entry (renewable).
• Property Ownership: Foreigners (including former citizens) can own apartments (50-year leasehold), not land.

Bottom Line

If you naturalize as a U.S. citizen, you lose Vietnamese citizenship automatically. There is no legal dual status. Plan accordingly: travel on US passport, use visa exemptions for Vietnam visits, consult immigration attorneys for complex family/property situations.