Vietnam Passes Landmark Law Defining Digital Assets, Boosting AI and Chip Sectors

Vietnam''s National Assembly has enacted groundbreaking legislation to regulate digital assets, categorizing them into VIRTUAL assets, crypto assets, and other digital forms with defined legal status under civil law. The law, effective January 1, 2026, introduces tax and investment incentives aimed at fostering domestic innovation in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and digital infrastructure.

The legislation passed with overwhelming support, receiving 441 votes in favor out of 445 lawmakers present. It positions Vietnam among the first countries to comprehensively regulate digital assets through dedicated legislation, rather than traditional financial frameworks. The move is designed to stem the offshore migration of crypto firms and talent by providing clear regulatory guidelines and economic incentives.

Digital assets are defined as products created, issued, transferred, and authenticated using blockchain technology, with explicit property rights under civil law. This legal clarity addresses longstanding challenges faced by Vietnamese crypto and tech companies operating in a previously ambiguous regulatory environment.