Vietnam reviews draft law to guide national digital transformation
The proposal aims to establish a comprehensive legal framework to support the country’s transition to a digital economy, digital government, and digital society.
Vietnam’s National Assembly has begun reviewing a draft Law on Digital Transformation, presented on 31 October 2025 during its 10th session. The proposal aims to establish a comprehensive legal framework to support the country’s transition to a digital economy, digital government, and digital society.
Why a new law is being introduced
Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung told lawmakers that while Vietnam has passed several technology-related laws in recent years, covering data, telecommunications, cybersecurity, electronic transactions and more, the legal landscape remains fragmented.
The current 2006 Law on Information Technology is considered outdated, unable to keep pace with developments in areas such as AI, big data, cloud computing, IoT, blockchain and digital-platform business models. Officials argue that a unified law is needed to provide cross-sector rules and enable coordinated nationwide transformation.
What the draft law contains
The draft includes 8 chapters and 79 articles. It covers:
- digital-transformation infrastructure
- digital government and transformation within state agencies
- digital economy frameworks
- digital society development
- measures to support and ensure the transformation process
The law is intended to apply to domestic and foreign organisations and individuals participating in digital-transformation activities in Vietnam. Nine state policies are outlined, positioning digital transformation as a strategic priority focused on people and businesses, with investments in secure and sustainable infrastructure.
Prohibited activities
The draft sets out five prohibited behaviours, including:
- using digital transformation to threaten national security, public order, ethics, or individual rights
- damaging or disrupting digital infrastructure and national databases
- violating cybersecurity and personal-data protection rules
- obstructing digital-transformation efforts
- abusing dominant market position to harm competition
The proposals reflect increasing attention to both enabling digital growth and managing risks, including misinformation and unlawful online behaviour.
Next steps
The draft law will undergo further examination and debate before adoption. If approved, it would form the cornerstone of Vietnam’s digital-governance framework, shaping policy on technology infrastructure, online services, and digital rights in the years ahead.
