On April 16, 2025, at the University of Economics and Law (Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City), the scientific conference "Law and Emerging Technologies" attracted a large number of experts, legal professionals, businesses, and researchers to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), digital data, and intangible assets on Vietnam's legal system.

Amid the wave of digital transformation and the explosion of artificial intelligence (AI), Vietnam's legal framework not only needs to keep pace with technology but also proactively build a flexible legal corridor. The business community is hoping for a legal system that is transparent, timely, and encourages innovation.

Experts believe that adding a major in Law and Technology is entirely feasible in the age of artificial intelligence. Photo: UEL

AI Has Entered the Legal System

The presence of AI in Vietnam’s judicial system is no longer a vision of the future. Since 2022, the Supreme People's Court has implemented the Court Virtual Assistant — an AI-powered application that supports judges and court clerks in legal proceedings. The system draws from an official legal database that is regularly updated, helping to reduce workload and improve the efficiency of case processing.

Ms. Ung Thi Xuan Huong, Chairperson of the Ho Chi Minh City Lawyers Association, praised the role of the virtual assistant in enhancing the judiciary's performance, but also emphasized that the technology needs further refinement to meet real-world demands.

From a practical perspective, Dr. Dao Van Hung, Director of the Institute for Legal Science & Business Development, noted that AI is not only a tool for handling legal cases but also holds great potential for reviewing tens of thousands of legal normative documents. It can support legal departments in both businesses and government agencies — sectors currently facing a shortage of high-quality human resources.

Mr. Hung added that the Institute for Legal Science & Business Development is collaborating with IP Group to develop a toolkit for valuing intangible assets in businesses — a promising field that currently lacks a clear legal framework. At the same time, the Institute is also conducting research on topics such as AI in general education and the review of conflicts and overlaps within the current legal system.

In the presentation on training human resources at the intersection of law and technology, Associate Professor Dr. Doan Thi Phuong Diep (University of Economics and Law) pointed out that AI is making legal access easier than ever for the public, but it also poses risks such as data bias and “algorithmic hallucinations.” Therefore, educational reform is essential: lawyers must understand technology, and engineers need to understand the law.

Sharing the same view, Associate Professor Dr. Ngo Huu Phuoc (UEL) proposed the creation of a new major called “Law and Technology” to keep pace with global trends such as Blockchain, Big Data, and the Metaverse — from a legal perspective.

Personal data protection and the classification of digital assets are among the key issues addressed in the draft Law on Digital Technology Industry. Photo: UEL

Digital Assets and the Legal Framework Challenge

One of the most pressing issues is digital assets — an increasingly vital component of the digital economy, yet Vietnam’s legal framework has yet to catch up. Lawyer Ngo Minh Tin (UEL) pointed out that the draft Law on Digital Technology Industry only makes an initial reference to this concept in Article 8, but remains too vague regarding its scope and characteristics.

He proposed amending Article 105 of the Civil Code to officially recognize digital assets as a distinct category of property, alongside physical objects, money, valuable papers, and property rights. At the same time, he suggested that Vietnam should learn from flexible regulatory models such as those in Singapore and China, or adopt the U.S. approach, where digital assets may be classified as securities if they carry financial value.

Mr. Brian Bach Tran speaking at the conference. Photo: UEL

Personal Data: A New Resource, But Legal Gaps Remain

In the realm of personal data — often referred to as the “new resource” of the digital economy — Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thang Long (Ho Chi Minh City University of Law) warned that Vietnam’s legal framework remains fragmented, lacking both enforceability and effective sanctions. He emphasized that Vietnam should look to the European Union’s GDPR — the global standard for personal data protection — which includes strict principles such as “Privacy by Design” and clearly defined roles like the DPO (Data Protection Officer).

Wrapping up the conference, Associate Professor Dr. Le Vu Nam — Vice Rector of the University of Economics and Law — remarked:

"This is the time to connect artificial intelligence with human intelligence, and to link technology with legal reform, so that the law not only keeps up but also leads the process of innovation."

The law should not be a barrier — and even less so a follower — to technology. In the digital era, the legal system must serve as a compass for sustainable development, where people are at the center and data is protected as a fundamental right.

In his closing remarks at the Workshop, the representative of the Workshop Organizing Committee expressed his sincere thanks to Decenter and IPTP Networks, CAT Investment JSC for sponsoring the entire Workshop program. It is known that Decenter and IPTP Networks, CAT Investment JSC is a company operating in the field of new technology with digital technology projects, big data, and network systems in many countries around the world and Vietnam.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Vu Nam - Vice Rector of the University of Economics and Law, VNU-HCM presented a letter of thanks to Company accompanying the conference. Photo: UEL