Vietnam Enacts Six New Laws Effective March 1, 2026

On March 1, 2026, six new laws passed by Vietnam's National Assembly in late 2025 came into effect, covering various sectors including artificial intelligence, investment, planning, and state secrets protection.

Artificial Intelligence Law

The 2025 Law on Artificial Intelligence (AI), comprising eight chapters and 35 articles, marks Vietnam's first legislation governing AI. It establishes a unified legal framework for AI development and application, ensuring safe, responsible, and human-centered advancement. The law positions AI as a national intellectual infrastructure and a key driver of productivity growth, innovation, technological autonomy, and national competitiveness.

Other Notable Laws

• Law on Oversight Activities of National Assembly and People's Councils: Enhances the supervisory roles of legislative bodies.
• Law on Rehabilitation and Bankruptcy: Introduces a debtor-led rehabilitation process for companies facing imminent insolvency.
• Revised Law on Investment: Aims to improve the business environment by reducing conditional business lines and streamlining procedures for foreign investors.
• Law on Planning: Regulates planning activities comprehensively, from drafting to evaluation and adjustment.
• Law on Protection of State Secrets: Establishes guidelines for safeguarding state secrets.

These legislative developments reflect Vietnam's commitment to modernizing its legal framework to support economic growth and technological innovation.