Vietnam has enacted its first Law on Artificial Intelligence (the "AI Law"), which was promulgated by the National Assembly on 10 December 2025 and will enter into force on 1 March 2026. This marks a significant milestone in the country's technology governance framework and reflects Vietnam's commitment to fostering innovation while safeguarding public interests.

The AI Law applies to both domestic and foreign entities whose AI-related activities have an impact within Vietnam. It establishes a unified regulatory framework for the development, deployment, and use of AI systems, adopting a risk-based regulatory approach under which regulatory obligations are calibrated according to the potential risks posed by each system. This framework embodies Vietnam's policy objective of balancing technological advancement with protection of human rights, public order, and social welfare, while cultivating a sustainable and responsible AI ecosystem.

Key Regulatory Features

The AI Law expressly prohibits certain AI-related conduct, including:

  •      Using AI systems to deceive or manipulate human perception;

  •      Exploiting vulnerabilities of at-risk groups, such as children, the elderly, and persons with
disabilities;

  •      Creating, generating, or disseminating fabricated or falsified content that threatens national
security, public order, or social safety;

  •      Collecting, processing, or using data in violation of applicable laws;

  •      Obstructing, disabling, or distorting mechanisms for human supervision and control over AI
systems; and

  •      Concealing information required to ensure transparency in AI operations.

Labelling Requirements for AI-Generated Content

Entities deploying AI systems are required to ensure that AI-generated or AI-modified content is clearly identified, enabling users to distinguish it from authentic, human-created material. This obligation applies to audio, images, and video that simulate the appearance or voice of real individuals, or that recreate real-world events.

Labelling must be clear, easily recognizable, and unambiguous. For cinematic, artistic, or other creative works, disclosure should be implemented in a manner appropriate to the medium, ensuring transparency without compromising user experience.

Risk-Based Classification of AI Systems

AI systems are classified into three risk categories:

  •      Low-Risk AI Systems: systems with limited impact, typically simple support tools;

  •      Medium-Risk AI Systems: systems with the potential to mislead or manipulate users, particularly
where users may be unaware they are interacting with AI; and

  •      High-Risk AI Systems: systems capable of causing significant harm to life, health, human rights,
national security, or the public interest. High-risk systems are subject to the strictest oversight and
evaluation requirements. Enforcement and Liability

Violations of the AI Law may result in administrative sanctions, criminal liability, and/or civil compensation. Notably, even where high-risk AI systems are deployed in compliance with all legal requirements, deploying entities may still bear strict liability for damages caused to affected parties, underscoring the importance of robust compliance and risk-management frameworks.

Development Incentives

Complementing regulatory controls, the AI Law incorporates development-oriented instruments to promote innovation. These include the establishment of a National AI Development Fund, the implementation of an AI Voucher mechanism to support enterprise adoption of AI technologies, and the creation of controlled regulatory sandboxes for testing sensitive or high-impact AI solutions. These measures are designed to reduce experimentation costs and legal uncertainty, particularly for high-tech enterprises and startups.

Strategic Outlook

From a strategic perspective, the AI Law is expected to facilitate Vietnam's transition from an AI-consuming economy to an AI value-creating nation. By addressing institutional, infrastructure, data governance, and financing bottlenecks, the Law lays a foundation for a sustainable domestic AI ecosystem.

The AI Law reflects Vietnam's ambition to harness artificial intelligence as a driver of economic growth while ensuring that technological development remains aligned with societal values, ethical standards, and public welfare. Nevertheless, as this is an ambitious legislative framework, its practical effectiveness will largely depend on the extent and clarity of subsequent governmental implementing regulations and guidance.

Source:
https://vietnamlawmagazine.vn/e-commerce-at-turning-point-as-new-law-sets-higher-standards-in-2026-76435.html (English)
https://vtv.vn/luat-thuong-mai-dien-tu-hieu-luc-tu-1-7-2026-minh-bach-thuat-toan-tang-quan-ly-san-ngoai-100260106222305618.htm (Vietnamese)