Vietnam’s new Law on Artificial Intelligence came into effect on March 2, 2024, establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework for AI in Southeast Asia. This law positions Vietnam as a significant player in the regional AI landscape, mirroring similar efforts in the European Union (EU) to ensure accountability, transparency, and safety in AI usage.
The law addresses pressing challenges associated with AI, including issues related to copyright infringement, misinformation, and deepfakes. A notable aspect of the legislation is the establishment of a national AI development fund aimed at boosting investments in data centers and enhancing research capabilities. The Ministry of Science and Technology will oversee the initiative, which includes operating a national AI database for monitoring and registration purposes.
While the EU’s regulations place a strong emphasis on multilateral cooperation, Vietnam’s approach highlights its commitment to digital sovereignty and elevating its national AI capabilities. Both legal frameworks incorporate a tiered risk classification system, which allows for tailored regulation of various AI applications.
The highest risk tier, categorized as unacceptable, prohibits AI technologies that present systemic threats to national security or human dignity. For instance, uses such as non-consensual facial recognition and malicious deepfakes are banned under this classification. Conversely, the lowest risk tier encompasses low-impact applications, such as spam filters, which pose minimal invasiveness.
This new law replaces Vietnam’s previous AI provisions established in 2025. Its implementation aims to centralize oversight and compliance for AI development, reinforcing Vietnam’s vision to leverage AI and semiconductor production as key sectors for entering new markets and enhancing its technological development capabilities.
As nations worldwide grapple with the implications of AI, Vietnam’s proactive steps to regulate and promote AI technologies demonstrate its ambition to not only secure its digital landscape but also to emerge as a leader in the regional technological arena.
