Policy adjustments create momentum for Vietnam’s technology development

Sunday, 18:44, 28/12/2025

VOV.VN - Recent policy initiatives and legal revisions are injecting new impetus into Vietnam’s technology sector, establishing breakthrough legal frameworks that keep pace with global trends.

policy adjustments create momentum for vietnam s technology development picture 1 — The Law on Science, Technology and Innovation, passed by the National Assembly on June 27 and effective from October 1, 2025, marks the first time “innovation” is placed on an equal legal footing with science and technology. The law shifts management from input-based control to output-based performance assessment, accepts risk, and grants authors ownership rights to research outcomes, with at least 30% of profits for commercialization, while reducing personal income tax on income derived from these activities.

policy adjustments create momentum for vietnam s technology development picture 2 — The Law on the Digital Technology Industry, adopted on June 14, 2025, and set to take effect on January 1, 2026, focuses on incentive mechanisms for digital technology enterprises, the development of shared digital infrastructure, and the promotion of innovation. The law also stipulates that localities put in place policies to support human resources for semiconductor chip and artificial intelligence projects, while encouraging training and upskilling in digital technologies in line with international and regional standards.

policy adjustments create momentum for vietnam s technology development picture 3 — The amended Law on Standards and Technical Regulations supplements provisions requiring organizations and individuals engaged in production and business activities subject to technical regulations to declare conformity for products, goods, services, processes, environments and other elements in socio-economic activities. It also simplifies administrative procedures by allowing exemptions from conformity declaration for products that already meet quality management requirements under other specialized laws. The law was adopted on June 14 and will take effect on January 1, 2026.

policy adjustments create momentum for vietnam s technology development picture 4 — The amended Law on Product and Goods Quality, passed by the National Assembly on June 18 and set to take effect on January 1, 2026, introduces a shift in management methods, using data and technology, from pre-inspection to post-inspection, and from encouragement to binding responsibility. Under the law, products will be managed according to three risk levels -low, medium and high-instead of the previous group-based classification.

policy adjustments create momentum for vietnam s technology development picture 5 — The amended Law on Atomic Energy, adopted in June and set to take effect on January 1, 2026, promotes the development and application of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, serving socio-economic development and environmental protection. The law also defines nuclear power as a national strategy to ensure energy security and reduce emissions.

policy adjustments create momentum for vietnam s technology development picture 6 — December 10 marked a historic milestone as Vietnam enacted its first dedicated Law on Artificial Intelligence. The law, which will take effect on March 1, 2026, is human-centred and strictly prohibits the use of AI to manipulate behaviour or create fraudulent and deceptive content. It also classifies the use of AI that undermines national defence, security, public order and social safety as prohibited acts. AI management will be based on three risk levels- low, medium and high- reduced from four in the draft version, with enterprises required to conduct self-assessment on safety and subject to post-inspection.

policy adjustments create momentum for vietnam s technology development picture 7 — The amended Law on Intellectual Property, adopted and set to take effect on April 1, 2026, shifts the focus from “rights protection” to the commercialization of intellectual property. Intellectual property rights are formally recognized as assets that can be valued, traded, used as collateral for loans, and recorded in financial statements.

policy adjustments create momentum for vietnam s technology development picture 8 — The amended Law on Technology Transfer encourages capital contributions in the form of technologies created through science, technology and innovation activities. Passed on December 10 and set to take effect on April 1, 2026, the law classifies technology transfer into three levels- application, mastery and research and development- with progressively increasing incentives, while tightening control of cross-border technology transfer to safeguard technological security.

policy adjustments create momentum for vietnam s technology development picture 9 — The amended Law on High Technology, passed on December 10 and set to take effect on July 1, 2026, identifies high technology and strategic technologies as breakthroughs for socio-economic development, national defence and security, and the strengthening of national technological self-reliance. The law allows the highest level of incentives, including tax and land incentives, for the sector, and introduces specific mechanisms to attract talent and support linkages among research institutes, universities and enterprises.

policy adjustments create momentum for vietnam s technology development picture 10 — The Law on Digital Transformation, set to take effect on July 1, 2026, establishes the principle that management in the digital environment is the default, while paper-based processes are the exception. As a framework law, it sets out overarching principles to ensure nationwide consistency, places people at the centre, and affirms the commitment that no one will be left behind in the digital transformation process.

PM Pham Minh Chinh.jpg

PM Chinh heads Steering Committee on science and technology development

VOV.VN - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has signed Decision No. 598, dated March 13, 2025, to establish the Government Steering Committee on science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, and Project 06 (the Steering Committee).

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