Vietnam enacted a standalone Law on Artificial Intelligence on December 10, 2025, effective March 1, 2026, making it the first country in Southeast Asia with a binding, comprehensive AI statute. The law classifies systems by risk, assigns obligations by role rather than by industry, and reaches foreign providers whose systems serve users in Vietnam. It supersedes the AI provisions of the Law on Digital Technology Industry, which had taken effect on January 1, 2026.
Key points
- Risk-based classification with mandatory self-classification before deployment; medium- and high-risk systems must be notified to the Ministry of Science and Technology.
- Obligations attach to five defined roles: developer, provider, deployer, user, and affected person, and one business can hold several roles at once.
- Explicit extraterritorial scope: a foreign provider serving Vietnamese users falls under the registration and local-representative requirements.
- A national AI portal for registration and notification opened on July 1, 2026.
- Existing systems operating before the effective date received a 12-month window to come into compliance.
Laws and instruments
Law on Artificial Intelligence
Enacted December 10, 2025
Vietnam's comprehensive AI statute. Establishes risk classification, role-based obligations, registration through a national portal, human-oversight requirements, and extraterritorial application to foreign providers serving Vietnamese users.
Effective: March 1, 2026
Law on Digital Technology Industry
Law No. 71/2025/QH15
Passed June 14, 2025 and effective January 1, 2026. The first standalone digital-technology industry statute anywhere; its original AI chapter set principles for AI governance and was superseded by the dedicated AI Law within two months of taking effect.
Effective: January 1, 2026
Timeline
- June 14, 2025
National Assembly passes the Law on Digital Technology Industry with an AI chapter.
- December 10, 2025
Standalone Law on Artificial Intelligence enacted.
- January 1, 2026
Digital Technology Industry Law takes effect.
- March 1, 2026
The AI Law takes effect, superseding the earlier AI provisions.
- July 1, 2026
National AI registration portal goes live for medium- and high-risk notifications.
Who it applies to
Developers, providers, deployers, and users of AI systems in Vietnam, including foreign providers whose systems or outputs serve users in Vietnam. Obligations stack by role, so one company can owe developer, provider, and deployer duties at once.
Penalties
Administrative enforcement through the Ministry of Science and Technology, including registration refusal and orders against non-compliant systems. Pre-existing systems had 12 months from the effective date to comply.
Recent developments
Vietnam's AI Law takes effect, the first binding comprehensive statute in Southeast Asia
Enacted December 10, 2025 and effective March 1, Vietnam's standalone AI law brings risk classification, role-based obligations, and explicit extraterritorial reach to foreign providers serving Vietnamese users. It supersedes the AI chapter of the Digital Technology Industry Law within two months of that law taking effect, and the national registration portal opened July 1.
Common questions
Does Vietnam have a comprehensive AI law?
Vietnam has a dedicated AI regime. Vietnam enacted a standalone Law on Artificial Intelligence on December 10, 2025, effective March 1, 2026, making it the first country in Southeast Asia with a binding, comprehensive AI statute. The law classifies systems by risk, assigns obligations by role rather than by industry, and reaches foreign providers whose systems serve users in Vietnam. It supersedes the AI provisions of the Law on Digital Technology Industry, which had taken effect on January 1, 2026.
What are the penalties for AI violations in Vietnam?
Administrative enforcement through the Ministry of Science and Technology, including registration refusal and orders against non-compliant systems. Pre-existing systems had 12 months from the effective date to comply.
Who does AI regulation in Vietnam apply to?
Developers, providers, deployers, and users of AI systems in Vietnam, including foreign providers whose systems or outputs serve users in Vietnam. Obligations stack by role, so one company can owe developer, provider, and deployer duties at once.
Cite this page
Artificial Intelligence Regulations, "AI Regulation in Vietnam," reviewed July 16, 2026, https://artificialintelligenceregulations.com/jurisdictions/vietnam.html.
Entries state the position as of the review date and link to the primary text for verification.
