Vietnam's Public Security Ministry drafts 2026 criminal code amendment

The Ministry of Public Security in Vietnam has completed a draft amendment to the Criminal Code slated for 2026. The draft will be presented to the National Assembly for public comment in August, with a final review planned for the October session.

The amendment proposes the addition of seven new independent offenses targeting emerging threats such as cyber security breaches, environmental pollution, public safety hazards, and organized crime. New high‑level cyber crimes include the illegal trade of personal data, online fraud, opening bank or e‑wallet accounts with forged documents, illicit gambling, money laundering and spam advertising. An environmental provision separates offences related to improper waste handling and illegal dumping into a distinct clause. The draft also aligns Vietnam's law with the United Nations' Convention on Cybercrime (the Hanoi Convention) and clarifies the boundary between criminal liability and administrative penalties.