Vietnam is examining nationality registration procedures for overseas Vietnamese to ensure their legitimate rights and interests, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh.

Binh was quizzed on the issue at the ministry’s regular press conference in Hanoi on April 17, after it was put to him that only a small number of Vietnamese residents abroad have registered for Vietnamese nationality according to the 2008 Nationality Law.

However, only a few among the 4.5 million Vietnamese residents overseas have completed the procedures.

Binh quoted Vietnam’s Constitution as saying that Vietnamese expatriates are an indispensable part of the Vietnamese nation.

Relevant authorities are looking into procedures to devise proper solutions to ensure legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese residents overseas, Binh stressed.-VNA