Vietnam’s National Assembly has approved the country’s first-ever Law on Artificial Intelligence (AI), marking a major step toward building a comprehensive regulatory framework for emerging technologies, the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported. The law was adopted on December 10 with overwhelming support — 429 of 434 lawmakers voted in favor — during the Assembly’s 10th session in Hanoi.
According to VNA, the new AI Law spans eight chapters and 35 articles, establishing core principles, prohibited practices, and a risk-management framework for AI systems deployed across government, industry, and society. Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung, presenting the examination report, said there was broad consensus on the urgency of passing the legislation as AI accelerates in both capability and impact.
The law draws heavily from global regulatory models. Safeguards for high-risk AI systems echo approaches used in the EU and the Republic of Korea, while mechanisms to encourage innovation—such as sandboxes and financial incentives—take inspiration from Japan. Under the law, high-risk systems will face strict oversight, including conformity assessments tied to a list approved and regularly updated by the Prime Minister.
To support AI development, the legislation introduces a National AI Development Fund, top-tier incentives for AI projects, and a voucher scheme aimed at helping startups access critical resources. Controlled sandbox environments will allow companies to test AI technologies with partial or full exemptions from certain compliance requirements.
In a key structural decision, lawmakers removed proposals for an independent National AI Committee. Instead, oversight will be centralized within the Government, with the Ministry of Science and Technology serving as the lead coordinating body.
VNA reported that drafters intentionally avoided locking specific technologies or risk classifications into law to ensure flexibility. Clause 4 of Article 13 empowers the Prime Minister to update the list of high-risk AI systems “in real time,” helping Vietnam adapt quickly as the technology evolves.
The AI Law will take effect on March 1, 2026, positioning Vietnam as one of the first countries in Southeast Asia to adopt a comprehensive national AI framework.
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