Viet Nam has officially become the first country in Southeast Asia to adopt a comprehensive law on artificial intelligence (AI). The regulation took effect on March 1 after being passed by the National Assembly of Viet Nam in December, marking a major milestone amid the rapid expansion of generative technologies such as chatbots and automated image generators.
The law explicitly addresses the risks posed by generative AI, including misinformation, online abuse, and copyright infringement. Its approach emphasizes human oversight and control, aligning closely with the European Union’s AI Act.
The Vietnamese government stated that the regulation “paves the way for Viet Nam to deeply integrate with international standards while maintaining digital sovereignty.”
Strict Rules for AI Content and Actors
One of the key provisions requires companies to clearly label AI-generated content, including deepfakes that are difficult to distinguish from reality. Users must also be informed when they are interacting with an artificial agent rather than a human.
The scope of the law is broad. It applies to developers, providers, and deployers of AI technologies—covering both Vietnamese organizations and foreign entities operating in the country. This means the entire lifecycle of an AI system falls under regulatory oversight.
The law consists of 35 articles and is designed around a “management-for-development” approach, aiming to balance risk control with the promotion of innovation.
Its framework draws on global experience, incorporating data governance as a core input, legally and ethically grounded use, and accountability mechanisms for real-world impacts.
Viet Nam has also introduced a regulatory sandbox scheme, allowing selected projects to receive exemptions or relaxed obligations through an accelerated evaluation process. In addition, the government is offering top-tier incentives to stimulate innovation and foster the growth of the domestic AI market.
Powering Viet Nam’s Digital Future
This move aligns with Viet Nam’s goal of achieving double-digit economic growth over the next five years, with the digital economy positioned as a central pillar. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has described artificial intelligence and the data economy as “pillars” of a “more sustainable and smarter new development” model.
To support implementation, the government plans to establish a national AI computing center, strengthen national data resources, and develop large language models in the Vietnamese language.
The National AI Development Fund will be directed toward strategic infrastructure and core technologies. A voucher scheme is also being prepared to help startups and small and medium-sized enterprises access computing infrastructure and training platforms.
In terms of human capital, the law mandates a long-term strategy for AI talent development. This includes integrating basic AI knowledge into general education, encouraging universities to open new study programs, and attracting international experts to support capacity building.
A Regional Turning Point
Globally, only a handful of countries have implemented comprehensive AI regulations.
South Korea began enforcing a similar law in January, while the European Union is rolling out its rules in stages through 2027. The United States, by contrast, has resisted such an approach, with Vice President JD Vance criticizing what he called “excessive regulation.”
Amid calls from 91 countries at the AI Summit in New Delhi for AI to be “secure, trustworthy, and robust,” Viet Nam’s move places it at the forefront of the region in regulating fast-evolving technology. The real test now lies in how effectively these rules are implemented in practice.
