Vietnam’s Personal Data Protection Law & Draft Decree: Compliance and Challenges
The current personal data protection (“PDP”) regime in Vietnam was introduced by Decree No. 13/2023/ND-CP dated 17 April 2023 (“Decree 13”), which laid the initial foundation for the development of a comprehensive legal framework governing the protection of personal data in Vietnam.
Two years on, the absence of effective and clearly articulated sanctions for non-compliance has resulted in low levels of adherence to PDP obligations among businesses operating in Vietnam.
A significant milestone was reached on 26 June 2025, when the National Assembly ratified the Law No.91/2025/QH15 on Personal Data Protection (“PDPL”), which is set to take effect on 1 January 2026. In the coming months, the Ministry of Public Security is expected to publish a draft decree detailing the implementation of the PDPL (“Draft Decree”).
These developments mark Vietnam’s transition into a decisive phase in the evolution of its PDP regulatory landscape. Businesses, ranging from domestic enterprises to foreign organizations operating within Vietnam, are now facing unprecedented compliance challenges, as non-compliance may give rise to administrative and financial penalties under the new regime.
This commentary outlines key issues, including:
- Issue 1- Consent is Lawful Basis of Processing
- Issue 2 - Ensuring Data Subject Rights and Protection
- Issue 3 - Qualification and Obligations of the Data Protection Officer (DPO)
- Issue 4 - Data Processing and Cross-Border Transfer Documentation
📄 Please download the full document below to discover more.
Contact us
Dispute Boards (DAB DAAB) in Vietnam
Vietnam’s public infrastructure program is entering a pivotal phase, marked by a gradual alignment with international standards in alternative dispute resolution practices. This second article in a series on recent developments in Vietnamese construction law1 explores the growing role of Dispute Boards (“DBs”) in large-scale infrastructure projects.
FEED in Vietnam
Vietnam has entered a decisive phase in its infrastructure modernization, marked by the acceleration of large-scale, structuring projects such as metro lines, international airports, high-speed railways, and plans for a nuclear power plant.
TOD in Vietnam
Transit-Oriented Development (“TOD”) is an urban planning approach that promotes compact, mixed-use development centered around public transport hubs. Successfully implemented in countries such as Singapore and Taiwan, TOD has contributed to more efficient land use, reduced traffic congestion, and improved urban connectivity.
Company formation ahead of IRC
Vietnam’s proposed amendment to the Investment Law would allow foreign investors to establish a company before obtaining an Investment Registration Certificate (IRC). The reform aims to simplify procedures, align treatment between domestic and foreign investors, and accelerate market entry.