A Deep Dive into Government IT Policies in Vietnam for 2026
- Kien Nguyen
- 7 days ago
- 6 min read
The global technology landscape is undergoing a massive restructuring, but Vietnam tells a different story. While other markets grapple with uncertainty, Vietnam is aggressively positioning itself as Asia's next leading digital economy. The driving force behind this transformation isn't just organic market growth; it is a deliberate, synchronized suite of government IT policies in Vietnam designed to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), foster innovation, and secure top-tier talent. As we look toward 2026, understanding the regulatory framework is just as critical as analyzing salary data. The Vietnamese government has moved beyond general encouragement to specific, actionable decrees that impact everything from R&D tax incentives to visa exemptions for foreign experts.
1. The Strategic Vision: Government IT Policies in Vietnam Roadmap for 2026
The year 2025 reaffirmed Vietnam's ambition to become a leading digital economy in Asia. The government's strategy is not isolated; it is a coordinated effort to align regulation, talent development, and infrastructure.
The goal is clear: to have the digital economy contribute 20% of the nation's GDP by 2025. To achieve this, the government IT policies in Vietnam have shifted focus from simply incentivizing "outsourcing" to aggressively promoting "creation and innovation."
1.1. Fostering Innovation through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP)
Historically, PPPs in Vietnam were largely focused on physical infrastructure like roads and bridges. The introduction of Decree No. 180/2025/NĐ-CP marks a significant modernization of this concept.
By expanding PPPs to include innovation and digital transformation, the government is effectively inviting private tech giants to help build the nation's "soft infrastructure."
For Investors: This creates a pathway to access government funding and shared Intellectual Property (IP) models.
Key Areas: The decree specifically targets collaboration on digital platforms, national data infrastructure, and tech talent incubation.
Risk Mitigation: The inclusion of fiscal incentives and risk-sharing clauses addresses a primary concern for foreign investors, ensuring that the state shares the burden of potential project hurdles.
1.2. The National Blockchain Strategy: Moving Beyond Hype
Vietnam has long been a global leader in cryptocurrency adoption, but it often finds itself in a regulatory gray area. The National Blockchain Strategy (Decision No. 1236/QĐ-TTg) formalizes this sector, providing legal clarity that enterprise-level investors have been waiting for.
This policy not only tolerates blockchain but also integrates it into the core of Vietnam's digital governance.
Application Scope: The framework mandates blockchain adoption for digital trust and transparency in logistics (supply chain tracking), public services, and finance.
The "Sandbox" Pilot: perhaps the most exciting development is the pilot for a regulated digital asset market. This allows fintech startups and foreign firms to test solutions in a controlled environment before a full rollout, reducing compliance risks.
1.3. Solving the Talent Crunch: High-Tech Workforce Development
While Vietnam has a young and vibrant workforce, there is a recognized shortage of senior experts in niche fields like semiconductors and AI. The government is tackling this head-on with the High-Tech Workforce Development Program (2025-2035).
This long-term plan (Decision No. 05/2025/NQ-CP) fosters industry-academia cooperation to train the next generation of experts.
Focus Areas: Semiconductors, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, and Digital Management.
Corporate Benefit: For international tech firms, this policy supports R&D partnerships with local universities, allowing companies to shape the curriculum and secure a pipeline of "job-ready" graduates tailored to their specific technology stacks.
Additionally, Decision No. 1002/QĐ-TTg provides monthly allowances and financial incentives specifically for digital transformation and cybersecurity personnel working in public institutions. This helps retain talent in critical national infrastructure roles, stabilizing the broader ecosystem.
2. Breaking Down Barriers: Operational & Regulatory Ease
Beyond high-level strategy, the government IT policies in Vietnam for 2025-2026 include practical measures to make doing business easier for foreign tech companies.
2.1. Streamlined Entry for Global Experts
One of the biggest friction points for establishing R&D centers is moving key personnel. Decree No. 221/2025/NĐ-CP effectively removes this barrier. By granting a 5-year multiple-entry exemption for high-tech experts, Vietnam is positioning itself as a "frictionless" hub for global talent mobility. This is a direct competitive advantage over neighboring countries with more restrictive or bureaucratic visa processes for technical specialists.
2.2. The "Make in Vietnam" Mandate & Digital Government
The government is also creating demand for IT services through its own operations.
Mandatory Digital Operations: A National Directive set for mid-2025 requires all government agencies to handle documents digitally with e-signatures. This creates massive demand for GovTech, workflow automation, and cloud software providers.
Make in Vietnam 2025 Award: Aligned with Decision No. 1131/QĐ-TTg, this initiative recognizes and rewards achievements in AI, cloud, 5G/6G, and semiconductors. Winners often receive priority in government procurement and branding support, encouraging firms to invest in proprietary technology rather than just services.
2.3. Regulatory Sandboxes for Emerging Tech
Innovation cannot thrive under rigid laws. Recognizing this, the government has launched a Regulatory Sandbox pilot program in 2025.
Target Sectors: Fintech, digital banking, and data platforms.
Strategic Value: This allows companies to test disruptive technologies without fear of immediate regulatory crackdown. For foreign fintech firms, this offers a safe harbor to adapt their global products to the Vietnamese market dynamics.
3. Implications for International Investors in 2026
What do these policies mean for your business strategy? The Vietnam IT Salary Guide 2026 highlights that these developments represent a "Strategic Inflection Point".
Favoring R&D over Pure Outsourcing. The incentive structures (tax breaks, visa exemptions) are heavily skewed toward R&D and high-tech. Companies that set up Product Development Centers or R&D Hubs will benefit far more from these policies than those setting up basic call centers or low-level BPO operations.
First-Mover Advantage in Data & AI. With the new sandbox and data infrastructure decrees, early entrants in the AI and Data sectors stand to gain significant advantages. The government is actively seeking partners for its digital transformation; companies that align their goals with national interests (e.g., smart city data, AI for logistics) will find a supportive partner in the Vietnamese state.
Stability in a Volatile World. As global geopolitical uncertainties persist, Vietnam’s consistent policy framework makes it a "beacon of stability". The government's proactive stance, offering 100% foreign ownership in tech sectors and simplified corporate governance, lowers the operational risk for long-term investments.
Conclusion: Capitalizing on the Policy Tailwinds
Vietnam is no longer just a "cheap alternative" to other markets. It is a policy-driven innovation economy. The government IT policies in Vietnam for 2026 demonstrate a maturity and foresight that align perfectly with the needs of global technology enterprises.
From the National Blockchain Strategy to the 5-year expert visa, every policy update is a piece of a larger puzzle designed to welcome high-value technology investment. For global leaders, the question is no longer if they should invest in Vietnam, but how fast they can align their strategy with these emerging opportunities.
Ready to navigate the Vietnam tech landscape? Equip your leadership team with the full breakdown of salaries, staffing costs, and regulatory insights.
What are the new Vietnamese government policies supporting the IT sector in 2025?
In 2025, the Vietnamese government introduced several pivotal policies to boost the digital ecosystem. Key initiatives include Decree No. 180/2025/NĐ-CP expanding Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) for innovation and R&D, and Decision No. 1236/QĐ-TTg establishing a National Blockchain Strategy. Additionally, the government launched the High-Tech Workforce Development Program (2025-2035) to train experts in semiconductors and AI, alongside a new Regulatory Sandbox for fintech and data platforms to enable controlled product testing.
How does Vietnam's Decree No. 180/2025/NĐ-CP impact public-private partnerships in technology?
Referenced under Decision No. 1236/QĐ-TTg, Vietnam's National Blockchain Strategy creates a formal legal framework for applying blockchain in government, finance, logistics, and manufacturing. The strategy prioritizes building "digital trust" and facilitating cross-border data flows. Crucially, it includes a pilot program for a regulated digital asset market over a five-year period, signaling Vietnam's ambition to move from an unregulated crypto market to a structured, state-sanctioned blockchain hub.
What is Vietnam's National Blockchain Strategy for 2025-2030?
Referenced under Decision No. 1236/QĐ-TTg, Vietnam's National Blockchain Strategy creates a formal legal framework for applying blockchain in government, finance, logistics, and manufacturing. The strategy prioritizes building "digital trust" and facilitating cross-border data flows. Crucially, it includes a pilot program for a regulated digital asset market over a five-year period, signaling Vietnam's ambition to move from an unregulated crypto market to a structured, state-sanctioned blockchain hub.
Does Vietnam offer special visa exemptions for foreign IT experts and R&D specialists?
Under Decree No. 221/2025/NĐ-CP, Vietnam has streamlined entry procedures for strategic foreign talent. This decree introduces a special exemption card that allows multiple entries for up to five years for foreign R&D and high-tech experts. This policy directly addresses the need for global companies to mobilize senior specialists and leadership to Vietnam for large-scale technology transfer and project management without the friction of short-term visa renewals.
