Vietnamese Birth Certificate for new baby (VN mother/UK father)

hi, out of own experience they indeed change the law few years ago, you must have the first name as vietnamese and second can be english.

tnhvietnam.xemzi.com/en/aska/answers/qid/9495

donny_68 wrote:

Can anyone please advise on whether I can choose Western names for my baby's Vietnamese birth certificate, or do all the names have to be Vietnamese?

Brief summary of my position...my wife is Vietnamese, and I am from the UK. We live in Vietnam, and we had a baby here recently. We want the baby's main first name to be Western, with Vietnamese middle name and my surname.

We are attempting to get a Vietnamese birth certificate, but the Ministry appear to be saying that we can only choose Vietnamese names. Is this the law? Does the choice of nationality that we will choose for the baby (UK or VN) have any bearing on this? Any other factors I need to consider? We plan to get a British passport for the baby in due course.

First-hand experience and/or legal advice especially appreciated. Thanks a lot!

In every country law is law! But 'rulers' are different. Vietnam has no exception from majority 'rulers'.
Here is the law.
According to this decree Article 50 Clause 4 says it very clearly that "Children may have Vietnamese or foreign names, depending on their parents' selection". We cannot blame law for the deeds of 'rulers'. If they want 'something' just give and get your opted name or obey them by giving some Vietnamese name or last option: fight against them legally, which will give you headache and time waste...
Good luck!

I have numerous friends with kids that have a western style first name and Vietnamese second name, all born here in Viet Nam.

Thanks all, much appreciated!

My son is Kevin Binh Locke and my new daughter is karolynh Trang Locke

The most important thing is to get VN birth certificate and passport first before getting UK or any other nationality

Hello there!

I have a mix baby (Vietnamese - German) and we have a VN birth certificate with western - vietnamese name.
Same with my friend, VN lady with English man and their both children have western - vietnamese name in birth certificate.

If they told you that you only can choose a VN name, they're really stupid. Only Vietnamese name if both parents are Vietnamese.

P/S: Here is our son name - Becker Liam Ayden Huy

My mate is in the same situation, he and his wife(VN) had a baby almost 18months ago now.
Registered with 4 names and none of them are Vietnamese.

At the end of the day it all comes down to the knowledge of the official holding the red inked stamp. This can work both for and against you and can at times be very aggravating but luckily all it usually takes is a little tea money to shift things back in your favor.