Vietnamese lawmakers have made it possible for trans people who have undergone gender reassignment surgery to obtain legal recognition in their preferred gender.

The new law is being hailed as a positive step towards full recognition for trans people. It means that those who have undergone a gender reassignment procedure will be eligible for gender recognition. However, this is where it gets complicated. Currently, the surgery is banned in Vietnam – however most travel to Thailand to receive it.

The state-run website VNExpress, wrote, “Individuals who undergo transgender change will have the right to register [their preferred gender]” and that they will receive “personal rights in accordance with their new sex”.

Vietnamese Parliament said that the law, which will take effect in 2017, was introduced to “meet the demands of a part of society… in accordance with international practice, without countering the nation’s traditions.”

LGBT rights groups in the country have welcomed the new legislation, with hopes that it will pave the way for the legalisation of gender reassignment surgery.