In recent years, Vietnam has encouraged the return of Viet Kieu (overseas Vietnamese), and encouraged their investment in the emerging economy through various preferential regulations.

The new rules apply only to Viet Kieu holding passports issued by countries other than Vietnam. To receive certification, the applicants must produce a passport, marriage certificate, identity card, or other document showing that either they or their parents used to hold Vietnamese nationality. Application for this certification must be made with either the Committee for Overseas Vietnamese in Vietnam, or with a Vietnamese embassy or consulate abroad.

In addition to identity documents, applicants are now required to offer proof that they do not have a criminal record, and declare that they have not ever committed a crime and are free of any outstanding court sentence(s) in Vietnam.

Certain time restrictions apply to the filing of all certifications and declarations required under these new regulations. Contact the Committee for Overseas Vietnamese or a Vietnamese diplomatic agency abroad for additional information.