HANOI, June 15, 2025 – In a historic move, Vietnam has officially legalized digital assets following the National Assembly’s approval of the Law on Digital Technology Industry on Saturday.
The new law provides the first comprehensive legal framework for digital assets in the country, setting the stage for greater innovation, investment, and global integration.
Under the legislation, digital assets are divided into two categories: virtual assets and crypto assets. Virtual assets are digital instruments used for exchange or investment, while crypto assets rely on encryption technologies to validate transactions and ownership. Both are clearly defined as separate from securities, digital versions of fiat currency, and other financial instruments governed by existing laws.
The law assigns the Vietnamese government the responsibility to detail business conditions, classifications, and management mechanisms for digital assets. It also requires regulatory agencies to enforce cybersecurity protocols and introduce safeguards to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and the spread of weapons of mass destruction—measures aligned with global standards.
Currently on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) “gray list” for anti-money laundering, Vietnam is expected to benefit significantly from this legal breakthrough. The FATF had urged the country to clarify its virtual asset regulations since 2023, and this law could pave the way for its removal from the list.
Effective January 1, 2026, the law—drafted by the Ministry of Science and Technology—signals Vietnam’s ambition to become a digital powerhouse. It introduces a wide range of incentives to nurture the digital technology ecosystem, from tax breaks and land-use incentives to support for innovation hubs and high-tech talent.
Key highlights include:
Special incentives for companies developing core digital technologies, including AI, software, semiconductors, and data centers.
Talent development policies, such as subsidies for hiring, training, and upskilling employees, especially in strategic areas like AI and chip manufacturing.
Support for R&D across the entire semiconductor value chain—from research and design to testing and packaging.
Integration of digital technology education into national training systems, promoting skill certifications that meet international and regional standards.
AI governance frameworks, especially for high-risk AI systems, to ensure responsible innovation and risk mitigation.
Le Quang Huy, Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee on Science, Technology and Environment, emphasized the law’s role in establishing Vietnam as a critical player in the global semiconductor supply chain. “This is a strategic blueprint to accelerate Vietnam’s position in the world of digital technology,” he stated.
As Vietnam embarks on this digital journey, the new law lays a strong foundation not only for legal clarity and regulatory stability but also for transforming the nation into a regional innovation hub.
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Source: Vietnam Insider