VCI Legal–   18 October 2025

One of Vietnam’s leading full-service law firms, was honored to participate in the LawAsia 2025 and Crypto Valley Webinar “Recent Legal Developments of Digital Assets in Vietnam & Vietnam’s Pilot Program on Crypto Trading: New Opportunities and Challenges”, where Mr. Phung Anh Tuan, Managing Partner of VCI Legal, Vice President of VAFI, and Secretary General of FICAC, delivered a keynote presentation titled “The Brave New Laws on Digital Assets and International Financial Centers in Vietnam.”

The seminars brought together regional policymakers, financial regulators, and industry experts from across Asia and Europe to discuss how emerging legal frameworks on artificial intelligence (AI), cryptocurrency, and digital assets are reshaping international financial systems and regulatory cooperation.

In his remarks, Mr. Phung highlighted that Vietnam stands at a pivotal point in balancing innovation and regulation as the Law on Digital Technology Industry (coming into effect in 2026) officially recognizes digital assets as legally protected property. Under Article 46, digital assets are defined as “digital data generated, distributed, preserved, conveyed, and verified by digital technology inside an electronic environment.” This milestone marks Vietnam’s first formal recognition of crypto assets within its legal system.

He further explained how the new legislation, combined with the National Assembly’s Resolution No. 222/2025/QH15 on establishing Vietnam’s International Financial Center (IFC) and the Government’s Decision No. 114/QD-BCĐTTTC on its implementation plan, reflects Vietnam’s strategic ambition to become a regional financial and fintech hub. The IFC framework introduces specialized policies on taxation, dispute resolution, cross-border financial transactions, and digital infrastructure, designed to attract both foreign and domestic capital.

The presentation also touched on cross-border challenges in cybersecurity, AI governance, and data protection. With the rise of cyberattacks, ransomware, and deepfake misinformation, Mr. Phung underscored that regulatory readiness is crucial: “Compliance with global data protection laws and cyber resilience are no longer optional—they are fundamental to Vietnam’s digital economy and international credibility.”

From a regional perspective, VCI Legal’s analysis compared Southeast Asian jurisdictions where sandbox mechanisms are being used to pilot digital-asset innovation while maintaining financial integrity. Mr. Phung emphasized that ASEAN harmonization—through mutual recognition of standards and risk-based, technology-neutral regulation—will be essential for sustainable growth.

Key Messages from VCI Legal

• Vietnam’s upcoming Law on Digital Technology Industry will formally recognize and protect digital assets from 2026 onward.

• The IFC framework (Resolution 222/2025 and Decision 114) lays the legal foundation for Vietnam to position itself as a regional international financial center.

• Strengthening AI and cybersecurity laws, along with compliance with global AML/CFT and data protection standards, is vital to attract responsible investment.

• Cooperation between regulators, private sector, and academic institutions will ensure Vietnam’s legal framework supports both innovation and consumer protection.

Mr. Phung’s participation at LawAsia 2025 and Crypto Valley Seminars reinforces VCI Legal’s commitment to providing in-depth, forward-looking legal insights where local understanding meets international expertise. Since 2002, VCI Legal has advised leading multinationals and Vietnamese enterprises on corporate, finance, and technology-related matters, and continues to contribute to shaping Vietnam’s evolving regulatory environment for digital assets, fintech, and AI.

About VCI Legal:

VCI Legal is an award-winning business law firm in Vietnam with a wide range of legal and corporate services, among other things, corporate, banking & finance, tax, labor & HR, real estate and dispute resolution with special focus on international investment disputes, We also offer our specialized type of service called “In-House Counsel Service” with the aim of assisting our clients in dealing with all types of internal and external issues arising from their day-to-day operations and business activities. With our offices in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, we have a tremendous depth of experience in providing well-reasoned and comprehensive legal advice to not only multinationals and Fortune 500 companies, but also small and medium enterprises.

Our professional team comprises one of the leading law firms in Vietnam with service quality highly recommended and acknowledged by international legal service reviewers such as: The Legal 500, AsiaLaw Profiles, IFLR, KPMG’s Tax Directors’ Handbook, Acquisition International, ACQ Global, Global Law Experts, Finance Monthly, and Chambers & Partners.

For many years, VCI Legal has been ranked among the top law firms in Vietnam for corporate, finance, insurance, taxation, employment, intellectual property and investment. With a “Can Do Attitude” combined with a “Know How” capacity, our firm is big enough to provide comprehensive legal support for any in-house legal matters, yet small enough to care about each of our clients. We undertake each engagement with the mindset of a long-term relationship, with the will to give whatever it takes to understand and fulfill your needs.

Ho Chi Minh City

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Tel.: (+84) 028 3827 2029 Fax: (+84) 028 3823 4436

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Tel.: (+84) 024 3936 4985 – (+84) 024 3936 4987

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