Ha Noi (VNA) - More than 3,000 overseas Vietnamese have received visa exemption certificates after Viet Nam implemented the new policy over a month ago.
Deputy Foreign Minister and Chairman of the Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Nguyen Phu Binh reported the figure at a press briefing held in Ha Noi on October 4.
He said that the foreign ministry's website welcomed more than 200,000 visitors to the page providing information on visa exemptions.
The diplomat said the Prime Minister has requested the ministries of construction, justice, foreign affairs and public security complete a new decree on housing for overseas Vietnamese within the month.
The new housing decree, to replace Decree 90 issued in 2006, will allow overseas Vietnamese who still hold Vietnamese citizenship to purchase houses in Viet Nam .
Meanwhile, overseas Vietnamese who do not hold Vietnamese nationality will be permitted to buy houses in line with Decree 90.
Decree 90 states that overseas Vietnamese are eligible to buy houses in Viet Nam if they make long-term investments, render great services to the nation; scientists, cultural activists, and experts who work in the country regularly; and those who are allowed to settle or stay for more than six months in the country.
"With such changes, the new housing policy, once stipulated, is expected to have an effect on the majority of overseas Vietnamese," Deputy FM Binh said.
Regarding the nationality issue, Deputy FM Binh said the Justice Ministry will submit to the National Assembly the revisions to the Law on Nationality of Viet Nam in 2008.-Enditem
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