 |
| Robot is used for guiding administrative procedures, searching information and providing directions to service counters__Photo: VNA |
Digital assets move out of the grey area
The Law on the Digital Technology Industry officially came into force on January 1, for the first time placing digital assets within a formal legal framework in Vietnam. Under the law, digital assets include virtual assets and crypto-assets, represented in the form of digital data that are created, issued, stored, transferred and authenticated using digital technology in electronic environments. Digital assets are protected in a manner similar to physical property.
It is estimated that around 21 million people in Vietnam currently hold crypto-assets. According to a report by Triple-A, more than 20 per cent of Vietnam’s population owns cryptocurrencies. Vietnam ranked fourth in the 2025 Chainalysis Global Crypto Adoption Index, underscoring the country’s strong grassroots embrace of digital assets. However, in previous years, buying, selling and transferring such assets largely took place on digital platforms without a clear legal mechanism to provide protection in cases of risk or dispute.
Against this backdrop, the enactment of the Law on the Digital Technology Industry has moved digital assets from a legal grey area into a recognised and protected domain. For individuals holding and trading digital assets, the new policy marks a fundamental shift in the legal status of an asset class that has been widely present in society for many years.
Users have the right to know when interacting with AI
The Law on the Digital Technology Industry also establishes, for the first time, a legal framework for artificial intelligence (AI) in Vietnam, based on a human-centred approach that ensures transparency, safety and risk control throughout the development, deployment and use of the technology.
One provision directly affecting users is the requirement for identification markers for AI systems, as set out in Article 44 of the law. AI systems that directly interact with humans must provide notification so that users are aware, except where such awareness is self-evident. Digital technology products included on the list of products created by AI must also carry identification markers, enabling users or machines to recognise AI-generated content.
Meanwhile, under the Law Artificial Intelligence, which will take effect on March 1, serving as the legal framework for the development, application and management of AI in Vietnam, the State guarantees citizens the right and creates the necessary conditions for them to access, learn about and benefit from AI. The State also encourages the application of AI in social welfare, support for vulnerable groups, narrowing the digital divide and preserving cultural identity.
The law classifies AI system risks into three levels: high, medium and low, and clearly stipulates users’ right to know when they are interacting with AI. Audio, image and video content generated by AI must be labelled as a measure to address the growing prevalence of misinformation, fraud and deepfakes.
Vouchers to encourage citizens to use Vietnamese technology products
Under Decree 268/2025/ND-CP guiding the implementation of the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation, the State introduces a new mechanism under which the State will not provide financial support directly to enterprises but offer vouchers to users of innovative products and services - an approach considered unprecedented in previous innovation support programmes.
The objective of the policy is to help “Make in Vietnam” products move from laboratories to the market by encouraging users to experience new products and services.
Vouchers will be issued through the National Technology Innovation Fund and science and technology development funds at ministerial and local levels. Products participating in the programme must meet technical standards and demonstrate novel features in terms of technology, functionality or business model, with priority given to high technology, strategic technology and products with scalability potential.
According to the State Agency for Technology and Innovation under the Ministry of Science and Technology, vouchers can be understood as a “dual” financial support mechanism. Instead of the State directly allocating budget to producers, purchasers will receive vouchers to pay for products. Enterprises will then redeem the vouchers with the fund to receive financial support. The mechanism is designed so that public funds are disbursed only when an actual transaction takes place. The policy aims to address the “chicken-and-egg” challenge in technology commercialisation, where high-quality products struggle to attract initial customers due to users’ reluctance to take risks with new offerings.
Citizens to declare information once when using public services
Another change expected to significantly affect citizens is the principle of “declare once” when using public services. This provision is set out in the Law on Digital Transformation, which will take effect on July 1.
Under the digital transformation principles stipulated in the law, the State will strengthen connectivity and data sharing among agencies and organisations. The “declare once” principle is established as a default mechanism to improve administrative efficiency, reduce information duplication, streamline procedures and better support decision-making processes.
Presenting the Law on Digital Transformation before the National Assembly in December 2025, Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung stated that the “declare once” principle and interoperable data systems would reduce paperwork for citizens and make public services more convenient. Instead of requiring citizens to repeatedly provide the same information at different stages of administrative procedures, state agencies will reuse existing data within the system in accordance with regulations.
According to the Minister, prior to the law’s enactment, digital transformation-related provisions were scattered across multiple legal documents, lacking a unified technological framework and coherent national governance structure. Each sector and locality could develop its own system, resulting in fragmentation, inefficiencies and difficulties in data sharing. The new law addresses these shortcomings by establishing a common foundation for nationwide data connectivity and utilisation.- (VLLF)
