Vietnam and Belgium exchange expertise on digital safety and heritage

A delegation from the Committee on Culture and Social Affairs of the National Assembly of Vietnam, led by Vice Chairman Ta Van Ha, conducted a working visit to Belgium from September 15 to 19. The mission focused on three urgent areas: protecting children in the digital environment, preserving cultural heritage, and developing cultural industries.

During meetings with the Belgian House of Representatives' Justice Committee, discussions centered on digital safety for minors. Belgian representatives shared insights into their multi-layered legal framework, which integrates national laws with European Union regulations such as the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). These frameworks require online platforms to mitigate systemic risks, increase algorithmic transparency, and implement “safety by design” principles to protect personal data and limit targeted advertising to children.

The Vietnamese delegation expressed particular interest in the coordination between legislative and regulatory bodies regarding platform oversight, age verification methods, and parental responsibilities. Additionally, the delegation visited Bruges to study how the UNESCO World Heritage site manages the pressures of high-volume tourism, observing how the city integrates urban planning with heritage conservation and environmental protection.