Up to 70 people from Laos currently living in Vietnam were granted Vietnamese citizenship during a ceremony hosted by the Nghe An provincial People’s Commitee on November 21.

70 Laos nationals receive Vietnamese citizenship in Nghe An 

The group were made up entirely of Laotian citizens who had been living in Xiangkhouang, Houaphan, and Bolikhamxay provinces and who currently reside in the border district of Ky Son in Nghe An province.

Due to them not being official Vietnamese citizens, the group were considered to be Laotian migrants and lacked a number of important documents, such as an identity card, residency certificates, and even correct marriage registration forms.

Following the ceremony, the newly-recognized Vietnamese citizens will be aided with all necessary procedures, such as applying for birth certificates, identity cards, and marriage registration documents.

Steps to give the group citizenship are in line with an agreement between the governments of Vietnam and Laos to address the issue of undocumented migration and marriage in shared border areas.

In order to create optimal conditions for local residents in order to stabilize their lives and ensure border security, the province will continue to review and grant Vietnamese citizenship to those considered to be Laotian migrants living in border regions.