Vietnam: Ministry of Public Security opened a consultation on draft decree on preventing and combating cybercrime and high-tech crime

On 16 March 2026, the Decree Ministry of Public Security opened a consultation on the draft decree on preventing and combating cybercrime and high-tech crime, until 26 March 2026. The decree applies to domestic and foreign service providers operating in Vietnamese cyberspace, including internet, telecommunications, cloud computing, financial institutions, e-wallets, payment intermediaries, digital asset exchanges, online gaming platforms, and social media networks. Service providers are required to electronically identify and authenticate users, retain and provide user data to competent authorities, report cyberattacks within 24 hours, integrate with an interagency digital technical platform for combating cybercrime, and suspend transactions on accounts flagged by the Ministry of Public Security, with liability for damages if they fail to do so. Social media and internet providers are additionally required to manage and monitor groups on their platforms, identify group administrators, and respond to requests from specialised agencies within 24 hours, or 3 hours in urgent cases. The decree sets out prohibited acts and corresponding sanctions across a range of domains, including e-commerce fraud, intellectual property infringement, online gaming, financial services, online advertising, gambling, child abuse in cyberspace, and the use of artificial intelligence to impersonate individuals or fabricate false information. Competent authorities are empowered to temporarily seize and confiscate digital assets linked to violations, freeze suspect accounts, and, where victims cannot be identified, proceed with criminal prosecution based on available evidence. Individual users are prohibited from lending digital accounts to others and may face criminal prosecution if their accounts are used for illegal purposes. The decree also establishes a framework for international cooperation, including extradition arrangements, joint investigations, and mutual legal assistance, subject to Vietnamese law and national sovereignty.