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| Production of electronic circuit boards at Synopex Vina2 Co., Ltd., a South Korean-invested enterprise in Yen Phong Industrial Park, Bac Ninh province__Photo: VNA |
At its 9th session, the 15th National Assembly passed five important laws drafted under the leadership of the Ministry of Science and Technology. These laws are expected to provide the institutional backbone for Vietnam’s efforts to strengthen science, technology, and innovation (STI), while accelerating the country’s digital and industrial transformation.
Speaking at a press conference held to introduce the newly adopted legislation, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Le Xuan Dinh emphasized that these laws are crucial in establishing an essential legal corridor for STI and digital transformation in the new era. More broadly, they are seen as key instruments for achieving the strategic goal set by the Communist Party of Vietnam: to transform the country into a high-income nation by 2045.
The five laws are: the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation; the Law on Digital Technology Industry; the Law Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality; the Law Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of the Law on Standards and Technical Regulations; and the revised Law on Atomic Energy.
According to Deputy Minister Le Xuan Dinh, although initial drafting began one to two years ago, the contents of the laws have been comprehensively revised to reflect the spirit and strategic directions set forth in Politburo Resolution 57-NQ/TW, issued on December 22, 2024.
STI as a national priority
The Law on Science, Technology and Innovation marks a notable milestone. For the first time, innovation is placed on equal footing with science and technology, signaling a fundamental shift in development thinking.
A highlight of the law is the introduction of a new financial mechanism. Accordingly, state budget allocations for R&D will be focused and prioritized, with 40–50 percent earmarked for tasks related to mastering strategic technologies, rather than being distributed thinly as in the past. Innovation is expected to contribute up to 3 percent of national GDP growth, compared to 1 percent from traditional science and technology activities—a reflection of the State’s ambition to harness innovation for national development.
The law also adopts an outcome-based management approach, shifting from input controls to performance evaluation. Organizations and individuals performing R&D tasks will now be allowed to own and commercialize their research outcomes, as well as retain at least 30 percent of revenue generated from commercialization.
Complete legal framework for the digital technology industry
The Law on Digital Technology Industry sets out a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital technology sectors. For the first time, the national “Make in Vietnam” strategy is codified, encouraging local design, manufacturing, and technology transfer.
This law is considered a breakthrough in laying the legal groundwork for emerging industries such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital assets. It defines strategies for developing application-specific integrated circuits and linking Vietnamese industry to global supply chains. With respect to AI, the law establishes a “human-centered” principle, requiring AI-powered products to be identifiable. Notably, the State will offer the highest level of support and incentives for AI research, development, deployment, and application.
In addition, for the first time, digital assets, including virtual assets and crypto assets, are now formally recognized, with clear provisions on ownership rights, transactions, and cybersecurity.
The law also prioritizes the development of essential digital infrastructure such as AI data centers, centralized digital technology zones, and national laboratories. These are seen as key enablers for Vietnam’s digital transformation and the growth of its digital economy.
Raising the bar for product standards and quality control
The amendments to the Law on Standards and Technical Regulations and the Law on Product and Goods Quality reflect a significant shift in how Vietnam manages quality, safety, and compliance.
The Law Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality introduces a risk-based approach to management, replacing administrative controls with a system that emphasizes post-marketing inspection, data-driven oversight, and technological application. It also strengthens accountability mechanisms, shifting from encouragement to legal obligations, with clear sanctions for violations.
A key provision is the establishment of a national quality monitoring system, which will be designed to connect data among regulatory agencies; collect and analyze consumer feedback and issue alerts; and support post-marketing inspection and risk-based quality management.
This reform comes amid growing public concern over counterfeit and substandard goods. The integration of digital technologies and data analytics is expected to improve the effectiveness of post-marketing inspection, reduce compliance costs, and enhance transparency.
Notably, the law also introduces specific provisions for quality control of goods traded on digital platforms. Sellers are required to provide honest, transparent information about product quality. Platform operators, meanwhile, must take active measures to screen and manage non-compliant goods, and operate systems for receiving and resolving consumer complaints related to product quality.
A strategic step forward in nuclear energy
The revised Law on Atomic Energy lays out a comprehensive legal framework aligned with guidelines from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). It affirms nuclear power as a strategic national priority, which will contribute to ensuring energy security and fulfilling commitments to carbon emission reduction.
The law underlines the principle that safety for the development and use of atomic energy in general and nuclear safety in particular must be placed under the unified management of a competent state agency and align with international safety standards, especially those of the IAEA, including also procedures for grant of nuclear safety-related licenses throughout all phases of a nuclear power plant’s lifecycle
In this light, the law devotes a separate chapter to regulating facility safety and security. An additional chapter addresses nuclear power plants specifically, mandating continuous regulatory oversight throughout the plants' lifecycle. It also introduces requirements for incident response planning, capacity development, and the promotion of a strong nuclear safety and security culture, especially as nuclear energy applications expand into various areas of society.- (VLLF)
