Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Science and Technology is expediting the completion of five new draft laws aimed at establishing a comprehensive legal framework to advance science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.
In November 2025, the ministry is focusing on finalising five draft laws to be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration during the 10th session. These are the Law on Digital Transformation, the revised Law on High Technology, the law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Intellectual Property, the law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Technology Transfer, and the Law on Artificial Intelligence – all expected to be passed by the end of the year.
Draft Law on Digital Transformation
The draft Law on Digital Transformation defines management and administration in the digital environment as the default mode, with paper-based management as an exception. The State is responsible for ensuring that every citizen – regardless of age, gender, education, location, or economic condition – has the opportunity to access and use online public services.
Online public service systems must comply with international standards and feature user-friendly, multilingual, and accessible interfaces, including sign language and tools for persons with disabilities. Platforms must be compatible with various devices and include support tools for people in remote and disadvantaged areas.
The law enshrines three key principles: citizen-centred governance, digitalisation by default, and data-driven management, to ensure that “no one is left behind”.
Draft revised Law on High Technology
Nearly two decades since promulgation, the Law on High Technology is being revised to strengthen technological self-reliance, shape strategic industries, enhance the efficiency of high-tech zones, and encourage the development of “Make in Vietnam” enterprises.
The draft recognises technology not merely as an area for investment incentives but as a strategic pillar underpinning economic security, national defence, and national sovereignty. It introduces new definitions of strategic technologies and strategic industries to prioritise development.
Incentive policies are being redesigned for greater transparency and efficiency, extending benefits to domestic firms and start-ups. Core and strategic technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor will receive special incentives, coupled with technology transfer commitments to ensure tangible national benefits.
The draft classifies high technology into three tiers: core technologies – to be developed and mastered domestically; strategic technologies – ensuring national autonomy; and high technologies – driving national development.
Draft revisions to Law on Intellectual Property
The latest amendment aims to transform Vietnamese research results and inventions into tradable assets, moving towards a knowledge-based economy where intellectual property (IP) holds a substantial share of national wealth, as seen in developed countries.
The draft law allows IP rights to be valued, traded, and recognised as assets, marking a strategic shift from protection to assetisation, commercialisation, and marketisation of intellectual outcomes. This reform positions IP as a strategic competitive tool for both enterprises and the nation.
Draft revisions to Law on Technology Transfer
The draft law amending and supplementing some articles of the Law on Technology Transfer seeks to streamline administrative procedures, update the lists of emerging and strategic technologies, and broaden incentives for technology transfer activities.
It establishes three levels of technology transfer – application, mastery, and research and development – with increasing levels of support and incentives designed to encourage enterprises to progress towards full mastery and innovation.
A new provision introduces intermediary technology transfer organisations, a model common in many countries but still lacking in Vietnam. These organisations will help small enterprises and less-developed localities access, adopt, and master new technologies.
Draft Law on Artificial Intelligence
In the bill, the Ministry of Science and Technology proposes classifying AI into four levels of risk (unacceptable risk, high risk, medium risk, and low risk), each subject to appropriate regulatory measures.
The draft also aims to strengthen the core pillars of Vietnam’s AI ecosystem. It envisions a “Vietnamese AI pathway” built upon open data computing centres, open technologies, and regulatory sandboxes for innovation.
In tandem with the law on AI, the ministry will submit to the Government a national code of ethics on AI, along with technical standards and regulations governing AI./.
