As one of the first countries in the world to enact a specialized law on artificial intelligence, Vietnam affirms its determination to establish a unified legal framework for the development, application and governance of artificial intelligence to protect humans, foster innovation and build a self-reliant, secure and human-centric digital future.
The Artificial Intelligence Act (the Act), which comes into force on March 1, not only marks an important milestone in the country’s institutional development towards a digital economy, but also underlines the country’s determination to take the lead in mastering, managing and exploiting one of the fundamental technologies of the new era.
As artificial intelligence (AI) and data emerge as two pillars of national digital transformation, this law sets out the basic principles governing AI activities in Vietnam. It stipulates that AI must serve humans rather than replace their authority or responsibility. The development and application of AI must ensure safety, transparency and accountability, operate in the interest of the people, and protect national interests and the legitimate rights and interests of the people.
At the same time, green, inclusive, and sustainable AI will be promoted to support responsible technology development, stimulate innovation, and expand public access to AI applications.
The law consists of 35 articles divided into eight chapters and provides comprehensive regulations covering the research and development of AI systems in Vietnam, from the provision and use of such systems, excluding AI activities solely for national defense, security, and cryptography purposes.
This law applies to all Vietnamese institutions, organizations and individuals, as well as foreign organizations and individuals engaged in AI-related activities on Vietnamese territory. It establishes a mechanism to control cross-border activities, thereby confirming national sovereignty in the cyberspace and AI realm.
Secure and responsible AI governance
One of the highlights of this law is the risk-based management mechanism for AI systems. Under this mechanism, AI systems are classified into three levels: high risk, medium risk, and low risk.
A high-risk system is defined as a system that has the potential to cause significant harm to life, health, or the legal rights and interests of an organization or individual, national interest, public interest, or national security. Such systems must undergo a conformity assessment, maintain technical documentation, keep operational logs, and ensure the possibility of human intervention.
Medium-risk systems should be transparent and provide clarification upon request to competent authorities, while low-risk systems should be subject to regulatory oversight if indicators of noncompliance are detected.
By differentiating risk-based obligations, this mechanism avoids blanket restrictions and focuses regulatory resources on areas of significant impact.
The law also focuses on ensuring transparency in AI-generated content, which is considered a very real issue, especially as applications of AI increase the risk of widespread misinformation, fraud, and deepfakes.
Therefore, organizations and individuals that provide AI-generated audio, image, or video content should label or otherwise mark such material so that users are aware of its artificial origin. Additionally, the intentional and systematic use of fabricated or simulated elements of real people or events to deceive or manipulate human perception or behavior is prohibited.
Providers are also required to explain the intended use of their AI systems, operating principles, data sources, and risk management measures. However, to protect technical secrets, the law does not require disclosure of source code, algorithms, parameters, or trade or technical secrets.
The law also establishes a national AI ethics framework. It establishes principles of safety, fairness, transparency, and respect for human rights, and serves as a reference for organizations and companies when developing and operating AI systems.
National AI infrastructure
The law confirms that national AI infrastructure is strategic and subject to investment by states, businesses, and social organizations. The National AI Infrastructure will be developed as an integrated, open, and secure ecosystem designed to enable connectivity, interoperability, and scalability, and to accelerate the development and application of AI.
The law also encourages organizations and individuals to make AI-related data resources available to state agencies and other parties on a consensual basis.
Notably, the Prime Minister plans to promulgate a list of datasets that will help develop AI in critical areas. Priority will be given to data related to cultural data, Vietnamese and ethnic minority language data, administrative procedures, healthcare, education, agriculture, environment, transportation, socio-economic development, and other key areas.
The law further provides for the establishment of a single-window AI portal, along with a national database on AI systems. These digital platforms are expected to facilitate the reception and registration of participation in the regulatory sandbox mechanism, while disclosing information about Vietnam’s AI systems.
Accelerating innovation and access to AI
This law emphasizes the national policy of promoting AI technology groups in line with Vietnam’s domestic circumstances. The National AI Strategy will be reviewed and updated at least once every three years or when significant technological or market changes occur. Organizations and individuals operating within the AI ecosystem will enjoy the best incentives and support under the Law on Science and Technology, Investment, Digital Technology Industry, High Tech and Digital Transformation. It also supports access to infrastructure, data, and testing environments for research, production, and commercialization of AI products and services.
States will support the development of AI ecosystems and markets by prioritizing the use of AI products and services in accordance with bidding laws. Additionally, the government will establish a National AI Development Fund to mobilize, coordinate and allocate resources to advance AI research, development, application and governance.
The development of AI human resources will be carried out comprehensively at all levels of education and training. Fundamental AI content, computational thinking, digital skills, and technology ethics will be incorporated into the compulsory general education curriculum. Vocational and higher education institutions are encouraged to develop training programs in AI, data science, and related fields.
The law specifies that policies will be adopted to facilitate public access to and enjoyment of the benefits of AI. It also promotes the development and application of AI to support social welfare, as well as the preservation, protection and enhancement of national cultural identity.
– (VLLF)
