How Asklaw Complies With the Vietnam AI Act and PDPL 2026

Quick Answer: From 2026, Vietnam enforces two new instruments that affect every AI product operating in the country: the Vietnam AI Act 2026 and the Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) 2026. PDPL 2026 upgrades the framework from Decree 13/2023/ND-CP. Asklaw is designed compliant on day one — not retrofitted — across five core obligations: (1) an "AI-generated" label on every output, (2) audit logs retained for at least 12 months, (3) a Data Protection Officer (DPO) based in Vietnam, (4) data minimization, and (5) the user's right to delete and export their data. This is Asklaw's commitment under the Cybersecurity Law 86/2015/QH13, the Vietnam AI Act 2026, and PDPL 2026.

1. The 2026 compliance landscape

2026 marks a new compliance cycle for AI products in Vietnam:

• Vietnam AI Act 2026 — In effect during 2026 (no grace period; day-one compliance required)
• PDPL 2026 — In effect during 2026, upgrading the framework from Decree 13/2023/ND-CP
• Cybersecurity Law 86/2015/QH13 — Continues to apply alongside the two new laws

For an AI legal-research tool that handles user data, non-compliance is a material administrative and legal risk. Asklaw chose to build compliance into the architecture rather than bolt it on afterward.

2. Obligation 1 — The "AI-generated" label

The Vietnam AI Act 2026 requires that AI-generated content be clearly labeled, so users can distinguish AI output from human-authored content. The goal is to prevent ambiguity between advice from a licensed attorney and output from an AI system.

On Asklaw, every answer in Ask, Shortcut, and Doc Pack modes shows:

• An "AI-generated" label in the interface
• A clear disclaimer that Asklaw does not create an attorney-client relationship
• A reference to the Vietnam Law on Lawyers 65/2006/QH11 (as amended by 20/2012/QH13) so users can distinguish AI tooling from licensed legal practice

The AI label is persistent and cannot be disabled by user settings.

3. Obligation 2 — Audit logs retained for 12 months

The Vietnam AI Act 2026 requires AI providers to retain query and output logs for a minimum period to support traceability when requested by competent authorities.

Asklaw retains audit logs for a minimum of 12 months, including:

• Query timestamp
• An anonymized user ID (not identifying content)
• Question content (subject to the user's privacy settings)
• The list of Articles/Clauses cited
• The model and P-E-V pipeline version active at the time

Audit logs are encrypted at rest and accessible only to the DPO and the internal security team under documented controls.

4. Obligation 3 — A Data Protection Officer (DPO)

Decree 13/2023/ND-CP on personal data protection (the precursor to PDPL 2026) requires organizations processing personal data at material scale to appoint a Data Protection Officer.

Asklaw has appointed a DPO based in Vietnam, with public contact details on the /privacy page. The DPO's role:

• Receive user requests on data rights (access, deletion, export, correction)
• Maintain alignment between Asklaw's internal policies and PDPL 2026 requirements
• Serve as the point of contact for competent authorities when required

5. Obligation 4 — Data minimization

PDPL 2026 codifies the principle of data minimization: providers may only collect personal data that is genuinely necessary for the stated purpose.

Asklaw applies this principle by:

• Collecting only the minimum personal data needed to operate an account: email and a hashed password
• Allowing legal questions to be asked without identity attachment — users are not required to provide identifying information
• Avoiding the collection of sensitive personal data unless the user voluntarily provides it within a question

Users remain in control of how much they share with Asklaw.

6. Obligation 5 — The right to delete and export

PDPL 2026 grants data subjects core rights: the right to be informed, the right to access, the right to rectify, the right to delete, and the right to export.

Asklaw implements these rights via the /account/privacy page:

• Right to access — View all personal data and query history linked to the account
• Right to export — Download a JSON copy of the data
• Right to delete — Request account deletion and removal of associated data (query history and internal audit logs are deleted on the compliance schedule, within the deadlines set by PDPL 2026)
• Right to rectify — Edit account information directly in the interface

Every request is handled within the timeframes mandated by PDPL 2026.

7. Comparing risk — Asklaw vs general LLMs for Vietnamese legal questions

Many users send Vietnamese legal questions to ChatGPT, Gemini, or other public LLMs. This pattern creates three compliance risks:

• No Vietnam-based DPO — Deletion requests under PDPL 2026 are difficult to enforce
• Data may be processed abroad — Cross-border transfer of personal data must follow specific PDPL 2026 requirements
• No audit trail back to source Articles — Output does not meet the traceability requirements of the Vietnam AI Act 2026

Asklaw is designed to address all three points within the Vietnamese legal framework.

8. A transparent, evolving commitment

Asklaw commits to:

• Publishing the privacy policy and DPO contact on the /privacy page
• Updating policies as the Vietnam AI Act 2026 and PDPL 2026 receive detailed implementing guidance
• Reporting internal transparency and control measures periodically on the /transparency page

Users can consult the applicable instruments directly on vbpl.moj.gov.vn and cross-check Asklaw's implementation.

This article does not create an attorney-client relationship. Referencing the Vietnam Law on Lawyers 65/2006/QH11 (as amended by 20/2012/QH13), the Vietnam AI Act 2026, and PDPL 2026 (Decree 13/2023/ND-CP). Asklaw is an AI-powered legal research tool; legal decisions should be reviewed with a licensed attorney.