Some 18 new laws announced

The Presidential Office on July 11 announced the State President's Order on promulgating  18 new laws adopted at the 9th working session of the 15th National Assembly, according to a report from the Government News.

Following are the newly announced laws:

Law on Digital Technology Industry

The Law on Digital Technology Industry provides legal framework and preferential policies for the development of digital industry with an aim to turn Vietnam into one of digital industry hubs in the region and the world.

The law targets to develop digital technology enterprises and digital technology sectors of Vietnam's strengths such as semiconductor and artificial intelligence.

The law will take effect on January 1, 2026.

Vietnam is the first country in the world to have adopted this kind of law.

Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Standards and Technical Regulations

The law supplements regulations on national data on standards, measurement and quality in a bid to raise the efficiency of State management while streamlining administrative procedures and costs for businesses.

The law was amended and supplemented in accordance with Vietnam's international commitments and new-generation free trade agreements to which Vietnam is a signatory.

The law will take effect on January 1, 2026.

Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on quality of products and goods

The law introduces a comprehensive approach to risk-based quality management and promotes application of digital technology, artificial intelligence and big data in supply chain management.

For the first time, the law defines a legal framework for national quality infrastructure based on digital technology and artificial intelligence.

The law shall take effect on January 1, 2026.

Law on Atomic Energy

The law lays foundation for construction of Viet Nam's first nuclear power plants in Ninh Thuan (now Khanh Hoa province) and expanding the peaceful use of atomic energy in the country.

The legislation is vital to ensure the safe and sustainable development of Vietnam's atomic energy sector in line with international standards and it demonstrates Vietnam's ambition to gradually master nuclear power technologies.

The law will take effect on January 1, 2026.

Law on Science, Technology and Innovation

The law creates a legal framework for science, technology and innovation to play a greater role in sharpening national competitiveness, promoting socio-economic development, ensuring national defense and security, and improving the quality of life.

The law, which shall come into effect from October 1, 2025, targets to help Vietnam master strategic technologies.

Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Credit Organizations

The law was amended and supplemented in accordance with international treaties to which Vietnam is a signatory and international practices.

The law shall come into effect from October 15, 2025.

Law on Personal Data Protection

For the act of buying and selling personal data: The maximum fine shall be 10 times the revenue from the violation.

In case there is no revenue from the violation or the fine calculated based on the revenue from the violation is less than VND3 billion ($114,885), the maximum fine is VND3 billion.

The Government will prescribe the method of calculating the revenue from the violation of the law on personal data protection.

For violations of regulations on cross-border transfer of personal data: The maximum fine shall be 5 per cent of the organization's revenue of the previous year.

In case there is no revenue of the previous year or the fine is calculated based on revenue lower than VND3 billion, the maximum fine shall be VND3 billion.

The law shall take effect on January 1, 2026.

Law on Participation in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations

The law specifies who shall be allowed to participate in the UN peacekeeping operations. They include armed forces, public employees and civil servants.

The law shall take effect on January 1, 2026.

Law on Railway

The law aims to remove regulatory bottlenecks that hinder the efficiency and effectiveness of railway infrastructure development and facilitate construction of major railway projects in the coming period.

The law provides for capital mobilization and promotion of private economic sector's investment, streamline investment procedures to reduce project preparation time.

The law shall take effect on January 1, 2026.

Law on Teachers

The law, scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, provides for legal status, rights and duties of teachers.

Teachers shall be the highest paid in the administrative salary scale.

Law on Employment

The law was amended and supplemented in accordance with Vietnam's international commitments. It is expected to help promote the development of the country's labor market.

The law regulates that workers are Vietnamese citizens aged 15 years or older who are capable of working and have a need to work.

The law strictly prohibits discrimination in employment, fraud and falsification of records in implementing employment policies.

The law also prohibits exploiting, sharing, buying, selling, exchanging, appropriating and illegally using information and data in the database on workers and information on the labor market.

In case of economic recession and crisis, or natural disasters, fires, war or dangerous epidemics, based on actual situation and the Unemployment Insurance Fund situation, the Government shall prescribe a reduction in unemployment insurance premiums and provide cash support for workers.

The law shall take effect on January 1, 2026.

Other laws promulgated on July 11 include: Law on Excise (amended), Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Advertisement, Law on Chemicals, Law on Management and Investment of State capital in Enterprises, Law on Corporate Income Tax, Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy, and Law on State Budget.