Vietnam’s National Assembly has passed an amended High Technology Law aimed at accelerating the country’s innovation and strategic technology development. Approved with 92.39% support, the revised law outlines stronger incentives for high-tech investment, digital and green transformation, R&D commercialization, and collaboration between academia and industry. It also establishes preferential policies to attract global talent and defines clear prohibitions to safeguard national interests. The law will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Vietnam’s Draft Cybersecurity Law 2025 introduces a major governance shift by requiring leaders of agencies, organisations, and enterprises to obtain a cybersecurity management certificate. This new mandate reflects the government’s belief that digital resilience starts at the executive level, not just within IT departments. Experts at a November 24 roundtable emphasised that the requirement is not a technical certification but a governance-focused credential designed to strengthen leadership’s role in protecting digital infrastructure and personal data. Officials warned that persistent vulnerabilities across government, banking, energy, and industrial sectors continue to expose the country to cyberattacks. With criminal liability on the table for negligent leaders—especially those overseeing critical or state-owned systems—the law signals Vietnam’s intention to enforce stronger accountability and embed cybersecurity into national and corporate decision-making.

Vietnam is accelerating its push for cybersecurity autonomy as digitalisation deepens across government, finance, energy, and telecommunications. With rising ransomware attacks, data theft, and state-linked intrusions targeting critical systems, the country sees self-reliance in cybersecurity as essential to protecting national infrastructure and digital sovereignty. New regulations, including the 2025 Cybersecurity Law, prioritise “Make in Vietnam” technologies, expand investment in cyber operations, and mandate higher competency standards for cybersecurity leadership. Alongside technological development, Vietnam is strengthening public awareness and international cooperation to build a resilient, sovereign digital future.

Vietnam is fast-tracking plans to establish a national AI supercomputing center and shared open AI data platform as it doubles down on becoming a regional AI powerhouse. At the Vietnam-Korea Digital Forum, leaders outlined a strategy centered on AI infrastructure, data, talent development, and startup support. With unprecedented AI adoption and ambitious 2030–2045 targets, Vietnam aims to stimulate “Make in Vietnam” AI innovation, build domestic computing capacity, train 50,000 AI experts, and strengthen partnerships with South Korea to drive technology growth and digital transformation.

Vietnam has established a steering committee to oversee preparations for the UN Convention against Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention) signing ceremony this October. The committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son, will coordinate inter-ministerial efforts on cybersecurity cooperation and combating high-tech crime. The event marks Vietnam’s growing role in shaping global digital governance and strengthening international collaboration for a safer cyberspace.

Experts stress that Vietnam must reform its legal framework and prioritise strategic technologies to strengthen competitiveness, safeguard digital sovereignty, and secure a role in global value chains. Stronger institutions, financial incentives, and bold innovation policies are key to turning science and technology into drivers of sustainable growth.

Malaysia and Vietnam have agreed to strengthen bilateral security cooperation through a new cross-border memorandum of understanding (MoU). During the 19th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime in Melaka, Malaysia’s Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Vietnam’s Minister of Public Security General Luong Tam Quang highlighted plans to enhance cybersecurity collaboration. Malaysia is in the process of acceding to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime and will officially sign the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime in Hanoi this October. The visit, which includes senior Malaysian and Vietnamese officials, aims to reinforce long-standing ties between the two nations.

US technology giant Qualcomm on Wednesday (Apr 2) announced its acquisition of MovianAI, a generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) subsidiary of Vietnam’s private conglomerate Vingroup, for an undisclosed amount.