2026

The Ministry of Finance is currently seeking public comments on the Draft Law on Support for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (Amended) (the Draft Law). The Draft Law is expected to replace the Law on Support for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises 2017, as several regulations under the current law have revealed shortcomings and challenges in practice that hinder the effectiveness of support measures for enterprises. These issues are particularly evident in the criteria for identifying small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the support methods, and various support policies related to credit, taxation, land, and business premises. While inheriting appropriate provisions of the current Law, the Draft Law introduces amendments and supplements to ensure consistency within the legal framework and to better reflect current socio-economic conditions. This article provides some of the key changes proposed under the Draft Law that may be introduced in the future.

The article “Draft Law on Support for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: New support mechanisms proposed” is presented by Dang Huyen Thu.

The Ministry of Public Security is leading the drafting of a Decree on administrative sanctions for violations in the field of cybersecurity and personal data protection. The Draft Decree has been developed amid increasing cybersecurity risks, incidents, attacks, and personal data infringements in Viet Nam, requiring the State to establish effective prevention and response mechanisms, while also aligning with the National Strategy for Cyber Safety and Security and the Plan for implementation of the Law on Personal Data Protection and the Law on Cyber Security. This article provides highlights of the Draft Decree that may be of interest to organizations and individuals.

The article “Some notes on the draft Decree on administrative sanctions for violations in cybersecurity and personal data protection” is presented by Luu Tue Dang.

On March 31, 2026, the Government issued Decree 96/2026/ND-CP providing details and guidelines for the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Investment, effective from the date of issuance, replacing Decree 31/2021/ND-CP. This Decree introduces and refines numerous provisions, offering greater procedural flexibility for investment activities while also clarifying market access conditions and targeted investment incentive policies. Some key changes under Decree 96 that investors should be aware of when implementing investment activities in Viet Nam are highlighted in this article.

The article “Decree 96/2026/ND-CP: Opportunities and legal considerations for foreign investors” is presented by Tu Thi Phuong Uyen.

In recent years, both globally and in Viet Nam, there has been a sharp increase in non-traditional intellectual property assets, giving rise to the need to protect such assets and to expand the concept of intellectual property as well as protection mechanisms for high-value digital assets such as algorithms, artificial intelligence software, business models, and user interface designs. In response to this reality, on December 10, 2025, the National Assembly promulgated the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Intellectual Property, which takes effect from April 1, 2026. In Legal Newsletter No. 03/2026, NHQuang&Associates shall analyze several new provisions of the Law on Intellectual Property 2025 that individuals, organizations, and enterprises should pay attention to.

The article “New developments of the amended Law on Intellectual Property 2025” is presented by Phan Thi Hoang Hai.

On December 10, 2025, the National Assembly passed the Law on Artificial Intelligence No. 134/2025/QH15 (the AI Law), which takes effect from March 1, 2026. The enactment of the AI Law marks a significant milestone in Viet Nam’s digital technology legal framework, placing country among the few nations that have adopted a comprehensive legal framework for artificial intelligence (AI). The AI Law regulates activities relative to research, development, provision, deployment and use of AI systems; rights and obligations of organizations and individuals involved in such activities and state management of AI activities in Viet Nam, excluding those that purely serve national defense, security, or cryptographic purposes. Notably, the AI Law not only emphasizes risk governance, safety assurance, transparency, accountability, and compliance in the development and operation of AI systems, but also creates a favorable legal environment for research, investment, innovation, and commercialization of AI products and services. In Legal Newsletter No. 02/2026, NHQuang&Associates would like to introduce a number of notable incentive and support mechanisms under the AI Law that enterprises operating in AI sector may benefit from.

The article “Notable incentive and support mechanisms for enterprises operating in the Artificial Intelligence sector” is presented by Tran Hai Long.