Circular No. 38/2026/TT-NHNN, effective from 18 August 2026, replaces the long-standing Circular No. 06/2019/TT-NHNN and introduces several important changes to the rules governing the contribution, holding and transfer of investment capital in Vietnam. Among other changes, Circular 38 gives investors greater flexibility to make capital contributions before completion of certain registration procedures, contribute capital in multiple currencies, and retain investment-related funds in Vietnam. It also introduces specific rules for investments involving VIFC member enterprises, as well as BCCs, PPP projects and petroleum activities.

Vietnam has established a legal framework governing crypto assets and the crypto asset market. The Law on Digital Technology Industry 2025 formally recognises crypto assets as a category of digital assets, while Resolution No. 05/2025/NQ-CP introduces a pilot regime for the crypto asset market. Effective 1 September 2026, Decree No. 284/2026/ND-CP establishes a dedicated administrative sanctions regime for violations relating to crypto assets and the crypto asset market.

In June 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Trade released a Draft Law proposing amendments to the 2018 Competition Law. The proposed changes seek to address the growing impact of digital platforms, data and artificial intelligence (AI) on competition and respond to the evolving dynamics of Vietnam’s digital economy.

The Ministry of Finance has released the Draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the 2019 Law on Securities ("Draft Amended Law") and the Draft Decree regulating the public offering of bonds by project enterprises implementing investment projects under the public-private partnership ("PPP") method ("Draft Decree").

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has published a draft law proposing amendments and supplements to a number of articles of several laws, including (i) the 2005 Law on Commercial, (ii) the 2018 Law on Competition, (iii) the 2017 Law on Foreign Trade Management, and (iv) the 2023 Law on Protection of Consumer Rights (“Draft Law”). The Draft Law is scheduled for discussion at the 16th National Assembly session in October 2026 and, subject to approval, is anticipated to take effect on 1 March 2027.

Vietnam has introduced Decree 29/2026/ND-CP, establishing the legal framework for a centralised domestic carbon exchange. The Decree sets out key rules on the registration, trading and settlement of GHG emission quotas and carbon credits, with a pilot phase running until the end of 2028 and full operation expected from 1 January 2029.

Vietnam has introduced significant new measures to enhance transparency, digitalisation and the administration of land-related financial obligations in the real estate sector. Key developments include the establishment of a centralised real estate information system and electronic identification codes under Decree 357, alongside new mechanisms for determining land use fees and land rental fees under Resolution 254 and Decree 50. These reforms are expected to improve market transparency, administrative efficiency and regulatory consistency across the sector.

Vietnam’s National Assembly passed the Law on Investment No. 143/2025/QH15 (the “2025 LOI”) on 11 December 2025. The majority of its provisions took effect on 1 March 2026, with the remaining provisions becoming fully effective on 1 July 2026, thereby replacing the 2020 Law on Investment. To implement the 2025 LOI, the Government issued Decree No. 96/2026/ND-CP on 31 March 2026, which provides detailed guidance on the implementation of a number of its provisions.

On 11 December 2025, the National Assembly promulgated the Law on Digital Transformation No. 148/2025/QH15 (“LODT”), which will take effect on 1 July 2026. The LODT replaces the 2006 Law on Information Technology and its related amendments.

Foreign-invested economic organisations (FIEOs) in Vietnam have often used multi-layered ownership structures to be treated like domestic companies under the 2014 Law on Investment. However, a recent appellate ruling by the Supreme People’s Court confirms that, regardless of such structuring, FIEOs are still not allowed to own land in Vietnam, reaffirming the restrictions under the 2013 Land Law and closing a commonly used loophole.

On 10 December 2025, the National Assembly officially passed the Law on Cybersecurity No. 116/2025/QH15 . This legislation represents a significant restructuring of Vietnam’s cyber legal framework and is scheduled to take effect on 1 July 2026.

Since Decree 13 on Personal Data Protection, many businesses have focused on personal data compliance. However, with the Law on Data No. 60/2024/QH15 and its implementing decrees, Decree No. 165/2025/ND-CP and Decree No. 169/2025/ND-CP, taking effect from 1 July 2025, businesses now face a broader data governance framework that applies to digital data generally, not just personal data.