VTN and Partners

OPERATIONAL COMPLIANCE FOR FOREIGN-INVESTED ENTERPRISES IN VIETNAM’S GOLD TRADING BUSINESS

Vietnam’s gold market has long been characterized by a strict regulatory bifurcation between commercial distribution and monetary control. For foreign-invested enterprises (“FIEs”), entering this sector requires navigating a complex interplay between the Ministry of Industry and Trade (“MOIT”) and the State Bank of Vietnam (“SBV”). While the retail of gold bars is heavily restricted, the trading of gold jewellery and fine art presents a more accessible, albeit conditional, pathway for foreign investors.

To successfully operate in this market, FIEs must understand that the legal framework is designed to be parallel rather than conflicting: the MOIT grants market access for distribution, but the SBV retains exclusive jurisdiction over activities impacting monetary policy.

Consequently, a strategic entry often begins with jewellery retail before considering the highly regulated gold bar sector. Our key findings regarding the regulatory landscape and operational compliance are detailed below:

https://vtn-partners.com/news/operational-compliance-for-fies-in-vietnams-gold-trading-business.html

HIGH TECHNOLOGY LAW OF VIETNAM - DRIVING FORCE OF STRATEGIC TECHNOLOGIES AND INDUSTRIES

The enactment of the amended Law on High Technology in 2025 (“LHT 2025”), which was passed by the National Assembly at the end of 2025 and set to officially take effect from July 1, 2026, is not merely a legislative technical update of its 2008 predecessor. Rather, it represents a landmark normative legal instrument that profoundly institutionalizes the strategic resolutions of the Party and the State adopted during the 2024 - 2025 period, most notably Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW (“Resolution 57”) of the Politburo on breakthroughs in the development of science and technology, innovation, and national digital transformation. Compared with LHT 2008, LHT 2025 introduces several notable new provisions, marking a clear evolution in the legal framework.

Please check out the details below:

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7421767667302395905

AI LAW 2025 – A LEAP OF VIETNAM IN THE AI WAVE?

On 10 December 2025, the National Assembly officially promulgated the Law on Artificial Intelligence (the “Law”), which enters into force on 1 March 2026. This is Vietnam’s first comprehensive statute governing artificial intelligence. The Law consists of 35 Articles and is designed under a “management for development” approach, ensuring a balance between risk control and the promotion of innovation.

The Law adopts a human-centric approach, providing that artificial intelligence must serve humans, must not replace humans, and must remain subject to human oversight in important decision-making. However, it exhibits significant structural and technical ambiguities compared to mature regulatory frameworks, particularly the EU AI Act. While it adopts commendable principles and risk-based approaches, critical implementation gaps, undefined key concepts, and misalignment with technical industry practices create substantial compliance uncertainty.

Please check out the details below:

https://vtn-partners.com/news/ai-law-2025-a-leap-of-vietnam-in-the-ai-wave.html