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THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY |
THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM |
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Law No. 126/2025/QH15 |
Hanoi, December 10, 2025 |
Pursuant to the Constitution 2013 of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam as amended by Resolution No. 203/2025/QH15;
The National Assembly promulgates the Law on Press.
This Law provides for freedom of the press, citizens’ freedom of expression in the press; organization and operation of the press; rights and obligations of agencies, organizations and individuals participating in and related to journalistic activities; and state management of the press.
Article 2. Interpretation of terms
For the purpose of this Law, the following terms shall be construed as follows:
1. Press means press products providing information on events and issues in natural and social life, expressed in written words, speech, sounds and images, which are created, published, distributed and transmitted to the general public through print press, online press, radio broadcasting and television broadcasting.
2. Print press means a type of press using written words and images, published periodically by printing means for distribution to readers, including printed newspapers and printed magazines.
3. Online press means a type of press using written words, images, sounds and graphics transmitted in cyberspace, including online newspapers and online magazines.
4. Radio broadcasting means a type of press using speech and sounds, which are transmitted and broadcast on technical infrastructures applying different technologies and in cyberspace.
5. Television broadcasting means a type of press mainly using images in combination with written words, speech, sounds and graphics, which are transmitted and broadcast on technical infrastructures applying different technologies and in cyberspace.
6. Journalistic activities include activities of creating journalistic works, press products and journalistic information products; providing information and feedback to the press; correcting information in the press; publishing, printing and distributing print press; transmitting online press; transmitting and broadcasting radio and television; and publication of press products in cyberspace.
7. Publication of press products in cyberspace means posting and disseminating information on the content channel of a press agency in cyberspace or posting and disseminating information on the national digital press platform.
8. Press products include publications and supplements of print press; complete journalistic content of online press and of the national digital press platform; news bulletins; radio program channels and television program channels; thematic sections of online press outlets; and content channels of press agencies in cyberspace.
9. Supplement means additional pages beyond the prescribed number of pages and published together with the main issue of a print press publication.
10. News bulletin means a press product of the national news agency, expressed in written words, speech, sounds, images and graphics to convey domestic and international current news or thematic information.
11. Radio program channel and television program channel mean press products comprising radio programs and television programs arranged in a stable and continuous manner, transmitted and broadcast within a specified time frame and having identifiable features.
12. Thematic section of an online press outlet means an information page on a specific topic, consistent with the purposes and objectives of the online press outlet, having a sub-domain of the domain name specified in the license for online press operation.
13. Content channel of a press agency in cyberspace means an information channel established by a press agency on a social network to provide, transmit, collect, exchange and share information, and connect communities of social network users, with consistent identifiable features when established on different social networks.
14. National digital press platform means an information technology system designed to support and manage journalistic activities, including the publication, distribution and management of press content.
15. Magazine means a press product publishing specialized and professional news and articles, exchanges and professional guidance in accordance with the purposes and objectives specified in the license; it only updates news and events related to the activities and fields of operation of the supervisory body, including printed magazines and online magazines.
16. Scientific journal means a press product published periodically to disseminate scientific research results and information on specialized scientific activities.
17. Radio program and television program mean a collection of news and articles on radio and television under a specific theme within a certain duration, having identifiable opening and closing features.
18. Journalistic genre means the form of expression of journalistic works, including news, photos, commentaries, editorials, monographs, reports, quick notes, narratives, reflections, investigations, interviews, journalistic essays, research, round-table discussions and other genres.
19. Journalistic work means the smallest constituent unit of a press product, having independent content and a complete structure, including news and articles expressed in written words, sounds and images.
20. Journalistic information product means an information product expressed in journalistic genres, published in bulletins and special issues of agencies, organizations and enterprises.
21. Bulletin means a journalistic information product published periodically, providing information on internal activities, professional guidance, research results, applications, and results of seminars and conferences of agencies, organizations and enterprises.
22. Special issue means a journalistic information product published on a non-periodical basis by event or theme.
23. Reporter means a person working at a press agency, performing journalistic operational tasks and writing news and articles.
24. Editor means a person working at a press agency, performing tasks of editing and revising the content of news and articles.
25. Radio and television services mean services applying telecommunications technologies, providing intact radio program channels, television program channels, radio programs, television programs, on-demand content and value-added services from service providers to users.
Article 3. Position, functions and tasks of the press
1. The press of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is revolutionary press, closely associated with the revolutionary cause of national liberation, construction and defense of the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland, and operating in a professional, humane and modern manner.
2. The press is an essential means of information for social life; press agencies are the mouthpieces of Party agencies, regulatory agencies, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, political – social organizations, political social – professional organizations, social organizations and social – professional organizations, and serving as a forum of the People.
3. The press has the following functions and tasks:
a) Providing truthful and timely information on the domestic and international situation in conformity with the interests of the country and of the People;
b) Propagation and dissemination, contributing to the building and protection of the Party’s guidelines and orientations, the State’s policies and laws, achievements of the country and the world; contributing to political stability, socio-economic development, improvement of intellectual standards, satisfaction of the People’s healthy cultural needs, protection and promotion of the nation’s fine traditions, building and promotion of socialist democracy, strengthening the great national unity bloc, building and protecting the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland; policy communication, external information and enhancement of the country’s image and position;
c) Reflection and guidance of public opinion; serving as a forum for the People to exercise freedom of expression;
d) Detection and commendation of good people and good deeds, new factors and advanced role models; prevention and combat of violations of law and negative and wasteful phenomena in society;
dd) Contribution to preserving the purity and development of the Vietnamese language, and the languages and scripts of Vietnamese ethnic minorities; enabling persons with disabilities to conveniently access press information;
e) Expansion of mutual understanding among countries and peoples, and participation in the cause of the world’s people for peace, national independence, friendship, cooperation and sustainable development.
Article 4. Citizens’ freedom of the press
Citizens have the following rights:
1. Creating journalistic works.
2. Providing information to the press.
3. Providing feedback on information in the press.
4. Requesting correction in the press.
5. Accessing press information.
6. Cooperating with press agencies in producing press products.
7. Printing and distributing print press.
Article 5. Citizens’ freedom of expression in the press
Citizens have the following rights:
1. Expressing opinions on the domestic and international situation.
2. Participating in contributing opinions on the formulation and implementation of the Party’s guidelines and orientations, and the State’s policies and laws.
3. Providing opinions, proposals, reflections, criticisms, complaints and denunciations in the press regarding Party organizations, regulatory agencies, political – social organizations, political social – professional organizations, social organizations, social – professional organizations, and other organizations and individuals.
Article 6. Responsibilities of press agencies regarding citizens’ freedom of the press and freedom of expression in the press
1. Publishing and broadcasting opinions, proposals, reflections, criticisms, news, articles, photos and other journalistic works of citizens in accordance with the purposes and objectives, and without containing the contents prescribed in Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 of Article 8 of this Law; in case of refusal to publish or broadcast, providing a reply stating the reasons upon request.
2. Replying, or requesting competent agencies, organizations or persons to reply in the press, and replying in writing to proposals, reflections, complaints and denunciations sent to press agencies.
Article 7. Responsibilities of the State regarding citizens’ freedom of the press and freedom of expression in the press
1. The State enables citizens to exercise freedom of the press and freedom of expression in the press, and enables the press to properly perform its role.
2. The press and journalists operate within the framework of law and are protected by the State. No one may abuse freedom of the press and freedom of expression in the press to infringe upon the interests of the State or the lawful rights and interests of organizations and individuals.
3. The press is not subject to prior censorship before printing, transmission and broadcasting, or publication in cyberspace.
1. Posting and broadcasting information opposing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam with the following contents:
a) Distorting the Party’s guidelines and orientations, and the State’s policies and laws;
b) Fabricating information, causing public confusion; slandering and denying the people’s administration;
c) Conducting psychological warfare.
2. Posting and broadcasting information with the following contents:
a) Causing division among classes and strata of the People, between the People and the administration, the people’s armed forces, political organizations and political – social organizations;
b) Inciting hatred and discrimination based on gender; discriminating on the grounds of gender, ethnicity, social origin and status; discriminating against persons with disabilities and vulnerable persons; causing ethnic division and secession, infringing upon the right to equality within the community of Vietnamese ethnic groups;
c) Discriminating against beliefs and religions; causing division between believers and non-believers, among followers of different beliefs and religions, between religious followers and the people’s administration, political organizations and political – social organizations; offending religious beliefs;
d) Undermining the implementation of international solidarity policies.
3. Posting and broadcasting information inciting war against the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
4. Distorting history; denying revolutionary achievements; offending the nation and national heroes.
5. Disseminating information negatively affecting the position, prestige and image of Vietnam; causing harm to foreign relations and international cooperation between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and other countries and partners.
6. Disclosing information on state secrets, personal secrets, family secrets and other secrets as prescribed by law.
7. Disseminating information promoting backward customs, superstition and obscurantism; disseminating information on mysterious matters causing social panic, adversely affecting social order and safety and community health; using language distorting the Vietnamese language and leading to misunderstanding of the content of propagation.
8. Inciting violence; propagating a debauched lifestyle; providing detailed descriptions of obscene acts and criminal acts; disseminating information inconsistent with Vietnamese fine customs and traditions.
9. Disseminating false information, distortion, defamation, and slander, infringing upon the prestige of agencies and organizations, and the reputation, honor and dignity of individuals; imputing criminal liability in the absence of a court judgment.
10. Disseminating information adversely affecting the normal development of children.
11. Printing, distributing, transmitting, broadcasting, or publishing in cyberspace press products, journalistic works and information contents in journalistic works that have been suspended from circulation, recalled, confiscated, banned from circulation, removed or destroyed, or information contents that have been corrected by press agencies.
12. Obstructing the printing, distribution, transmission, broadcasting, or publication in cyberspace of lawful press products and journalistic information products to the public.
13. Threatening or endangering life, causing injury or harm to health, infringing upon the prestige, honor and dignity of journalists and reporters; destroying or seizing equipment and documents, and obstructing journalists and reporters from lawfully performing professional activities.
14. Posting and broadcasting, through journalistic information products, information specified in Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 of this Article.
Article 9. State policies on press development
1. Formulating strategies for development and management of the press system.
2. Investing in press development with focused priorities in the following areas:
a) Training and professional development of human resources; development of human resources for press digital transformation and management of journalistic activities; scientific research; and application of modern technologies for press agencies;
b) National digital press platform;
c) Digital press data infrastructure;
d) Digital tools for performing supervision of journalistic activities in cyberspace.
3. Assigning tasks, placing orders, conducting bidding, and providing support for transportation charges and costs of posting, transmission and broadcasting, enabling the press to serve political, national defense, security, cultural tasks, information propagation on emergency situations, external information, policy communication, services for juveniles, children, persons with hearing and visual impairments, ethnic minority communities, areas with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions, mountainous, border and island areas, and other key tasks as decided by the Prime Minister; providing preferential tax policies in accordance with law.
Article 10. State management of the press
1. The Government uniformly manages the press nationwide.
2. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is held accountable to the Government for performing state management of the press.
3. Ministries and ministerial agencies, within the scope of their assigned functions, tasks and powers, cooperate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in performing state management of the press.
4. Province-level People’s Committees are held accountable for performing state management of the press with respect to local press agencies, resident agencies, representative offices, resident reporters in the locality, and other activities as prescribed by this Law.
Article 11. Contents of state management of the press
1. Developing, directing and organizing the implementation of strategies and plans for press development; organizing the formulation of development schemes for press agencies within the strategy for development and management of the press system.
2. Promulgating and organizing the implementation of legal normative documents on the press; developing entitlements and policies on the press.
3. Organizing the provision of information to the press; managing press information.
4. Training and further training to improve political qualifications, professional skills, professional ethics and technology for journalists of press agencies and officials engaged in press management.
5. Organizing the management of scientific and technological activities in the field of the press.
6. Granting and revoking licenses in press activities and press cards.
7. Managing international cooperation on the press; managing activities of Vietnamese press agencies related to foreign countries and activities of foreign press in Vietnam.
8. Inspecting press products, bulletins and special issues submitted for legal deposit; managing the national press legal deposit system.
9. Directing and implementing regimes of information, reporting and statistics, and commendation and discipline activities in press activities.
10. Conducting inspection, examination and handling violations of law on the press.
Article 12. Vietnam Journalists Association
1. Protecting lawful rights and interests of members and journalists.
2. Promulgating and organizing the implementation of regulations on professional ethics of journalists.
3. Concluding acts violating professional ethics of journalists; handling violations of professional ethics committed by members; recommending competent authorities to handle violations of professional ethics committed by journalists who are not members.
4. Providing professional ethics education and journalistic skills training for journalists.
5. Organizing press awards to honor authors and groups of authors that have high-quality journalistic works with positive social impact.
Section 1. SUPERVISORY BODY OF THE PRESS
Article 13. Supervisory body of the press
The supervisory body of the press means the agency or organization standing in the name of proposing the grant of a press operation license, establishing and directly managing a press agency.
Article 14. Powers and tasks of the supervisory body of the press
1. The supervisory body of the press has the following powers:
a) Proposing press types, purposes, objectives, target audiences and languages of expression of each press type and each type of press product; determining tasks and orientations for operation of the press agency;
b) Appointing and reappointing the head and deputy heads of the press agency, and assigning a person to perform the tasks of the head of the press agency after obtaining written consensus of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;
c) Disciplining, suspending from office, accepting resignation, dismissing the head and deputy heads of the press agency, and the person assigned to perform the tasks of the head of the press agency, and sending notifications to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;
d) Inspecting and examining activities of the press agency, and conducting commendation and discipline in accordance with law.
2. The supervisory body of the press has the following tasks:
a) Directing the press agency to operate in accordance with its purposes, objectives, tasks and operational orientations; organizing personnel and being held accountable for activities of the press agency;
b) Ensuring conditions relating to personnel, physical facilities and finance for the press agency to operate in accordance with the provisions of the press operation license;
c) Settling complaints, denunciations, proposals and reflections regarding the press agency and individuals of the press agency within the scope of its management in accordance with law;
d) Settling financial, asset-related, labor, insurance and tax obligations, and other related matters in order to terminate operation of the press agency when its press operation license is revoked or its operation is terminated;
dd) Training and further training, and directing press agencies to conduct training and further training in professional expertise, professional skills and professional ethics for persons working at subordinate press agencies.
3. The head of the supervisory body of the press may not concurrently hold a leadership position of a press agency, except for the case prescribed in Clause 4 of Article 26 of this Law, and is held accountable before the law, within the scope of his or her assigned tasks and powers, for violations committed by subordinate press agencies.
1. Press agencies perform one or more press types, have one or more press products, and may have subordinate press agencies in accordance with this Law.
2. Press agencies are required to obtain a press operation license granted by the regulatory agency for state management of the press as a condition for operation.
3. Press agencies have legal entity status, seals and accounts in accordance with law.
4. Press agencies operate in strict conformity with the purposes and objectives specified in the press operation license and the assigned tasks.
5. Key multi-media press agencies have multiple press types and subordinate press agencies, special financial mechanisms, and are established in conformity with the strategy for development and management of the press system approved by the Prime Minister.
6. Press agencies for newspapers and radio and television under provincial Party Committees and city Party Committees have multiple press types and press products.
7. The Government prescribes in detail special financial mechanisms applicable to each key multi-media press agency in conformity with the level of autonomy.
Article 16. Scientific journal organizations
1. Scientific journal organizations publish multiple scientific journals, and carry out publication of scientific research results and information on specialized scientific activities.
2. Scientific journal organizations have legal entity status, seals and accounts in accordance with law.
3. Scientific criteria applicable to scientific journals, editorial boards of scientific journals, procedures for selection and review of scientific articles, and classification of scientific journals are implemented in accordance with the law on science, technology and innovation.
4. Persons working at scientific journal organizations under supervisory bodies of the press prescribed in Clause 2 of Article 17 of this Law are not eligible for consideration for grant of press cards.
Article 17. Conditions for grant of press operation licenses
1. Party agencies, regulatory agencies, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, political – social organizations, political social – professional organizations, social organizations, social – professional organizations and religious organizations at the province-level or equivalent, operating lawfully in accordance with law, are eligible to request grant of press operation licenses.
2. Higher education institutions, and science and technology organizations organized in the form of academies, institutes and hospitals classified at advanced professional and technical levels or higher, are eligible to request grant of press operation licenses for establishment of scientific journal organizations.
3. Agencies and organizations prescribed in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article are granted press operation licenses upon fully satisfying the following conditions:
a) Identifying press types; purposes and objectives consistent with the functions and tasks of the supervisory body; target audiences; programs, schedules, duration and transmission and broadcasting methods (for radio broadcasting and television broadcasting); domain names, server locations and service providers of connection services (for online press);
b) Having organizational and personnel schemes ensuring operation of press agencies; having persons meeting standards prescribed by this Law to assume the position of head of the press agency;
c) Having names and presentation forms of names of press agencies; names and presentation forms of names of press publications; names and symbols of radio channels and television channels; names and presentation forms of names of thematic sections of online press outlets;
d) Having headquarters and conditions relating to physical facilities and technical infrastructure; financial plans; technical solutions ensuring information safety and security; for online press, having at least one “.vn” domain name duly registered in conformity with the press name and using server systems located in Vietnam; for radio broadcasting and television broadcasting, having plans and schemes for leasing or using transmission and broadcasting infrastructure;
dd) Conformity with the strategy for development and management of the press system approved by the Prime Minister.
4. In addition to the conditions prescribed in Clause 3 of this Article, social organizations and social – professional organizations, when requesting grant of press operation licenses, are required to satisfy specific conditions regarding duration of operation, number of members, proposed personnel, and conditions relating to physical facilities, technical infrastructure and finance in accordance with Government regulations.
5. After being granted a press operation license, the supervisory body of the press issues a decision on establishment of the press agency and announces such establishment via mass media.
Article 18. Press operation licenses
1. Press operation licenses are granted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Press agencies performing additional press types; publishing additional press publications or supplements; producing additional radio channels or television channels; opening thematic sections of online press outlets; or editing foreign program channels on pay radio and television services are required to satisfy conditions prescribed by law and are granted press operation licenses by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
2. Local press agencies publishing additional press publications or supplements are granted licenses by province-level People’s Committees.
3. In case of change in the location of head office, email address, publication schedule or Internet connection service provider, press agencies notify the regulatory agency for state management of the press no later than 5 days from the date of change.
4. In case of a need to change contents recorded in press operation licenses, except for the cases prescribed in Clause 3 of this Article, supervisory bodies of the press and press agencies submit applications and obtain approval of the regulatory agency for state management of the press.
5. In case of no longer having a need for press operation, no later than 30 days prior to the expected date of termination, supervisory bodies of the press notify in writing the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for revocation of press operation licenses.
6. The Government provides elaboration of Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article.
Applications and procedures for grant, amendment and supplementation of press operation licenses are prescribed by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Article 19. Revocation of press operation licenses
1. Press agencies are subject to revocation of press operation licenses in the following cases:
a) Having been granted press operation licenses but failing to conduct operations;
b) Failing to satisfy operating conditions as prescribed in Article 17 of this Law;
c) Committing acts prescribed in Article 8 of this Law, causing serious or more serious consequences, or repeatedly committing administrative violations subject to sanctions.
2. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has the authority to revoke press operation licenses prescribed in Clauses 1 and 2 of Article 18 of this Law.
3. Province-level People’s Committees have the authority to revoke press operation licenses granted by themselves in the cases prescribed in Points a and c of Clause 1 of this Article.
4. Press agencies cease operation upon revocation of press operation licenses. In case of revocation under Points a and b of Clause 1 of this Article, re-grant of press operation licenses is only permitted after a period of 6 months from the date on which the revocation decision takes legal effect. In case of revocation under Point c of Clause 1 of this Article, re-grant of press operation licenses is only permitted after a period of 3 years from the date on which the revocation decision takes legal effect.
5. The Government provides detailed provisions on Clause 1 of this Article.
Article 20. Types of operation and sources of revenue of press agencies
1. Press agencies operate as public sector entities or operate in conformity with the type of the supervisory body.
2. Sources of revenue of press agencies include:
a) Funding provided by supervisory bodies of the press;
b) Revenue from sale of print press; sale of rights to read, listen to and view journalistic works and press products; advertising; exchange and trading of content copyrights; permission for commercial use and use of journalistic works;
c) Revenue from business, service and cooperative activities of press agencies and their subordinate units;
d) Revenue from financial activities and contributed capital in enterprises, if any;
dd) Revenue from provision of public service services assigned, ordered or tendered by competent regulatory agencies;
e) Revenue from performance of tasks, programs, schemes and projects assigned or approved by competent authorities;
g) Revenue collected from persons that have demand to publish scientific research articles to cover costs of peer review, improvement and enhancement of article quality;
h) Revenue from lawful sponsorships and grants of domestic and foreign organizations and individuals, if any, and other lawful sources of revenue.
Article 21. Resident agencies, representative offices and resident reporters of Vietnamese press agencies
1. Establishment of resident agencies, representative offices and appointment of resident reporters within the country by press agencies is regulated as follows:
a) Press agencies being agencies of the Central Committee of the Party or agencies under the Government establish resident agencies or representative offices in provinces and centrally-affiliated cities; in the absence of resident agencies or representative offices, appointment of resident reporters to operate independently in provinces and centrally-affiliated cities is permitted based on demand;
b) Press agencies not falling under Point a of this Clause establish representative offices in provinces and centrally-affiliated cities; in the absence of representative offices, appointment of no more than three resident reporters to operate independently in provinces and centrally-affiliated cities is permitted;
c) Resident agencies have legal entity status; performance of tasks and powers, recruitment of personnel and financial mechanisms comply with regulations of press agencies.
Domestic representative offices of press agencies do not have legal entity status; personnel of representative offices are recruited, contracted and assigned by press agencies;
d) No later than 10 days before resident agencies, representative offices or resident reporters commence operation, press agencies notify province-level People’s Committees where resident agencies or representative offices are located or where resident reporters are appointed;
dd) Conditions, operation and notification dossiers for establishment of resident agencies, representative offices and appointment of resident reporters are prescribed by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
2. Province-level People’s Committees are responsible for inspecting operating conditions of resident agencies, representative offices and resident reporters. In case of failure to satisfy operating conditions, province-level People’s Committees issue written requests requiring press agencies to terminate operation of resident agencies, representative offices or resident reporters, and handle the matter in accordance with law.
3. Establishment of resident agencies, representative offices and appointment of journalists to operate overseas by press agencies comply with Article 24 of this Law.
Article 22. Publication of news bulletins
National news agencies that have demand to publish or suspend publication of news bulletins send written notifications to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Article 23. Cooperation in journalistic activities
1. Press agencies are permitted to cooperate in journalistic activities with other press agencies, legal persons and individuals having business registration appropriate to the fields of cooperation in accordance with law.
Heads of press agencies are held accountable for all cooperation in journalistic activities in accordance with law.
2. Press agencies are permitted to cooperate in design, layout, printing, technology, advertising, press distribution and content production, except for contents relating to political affairs, national defense, security and foreign affairs.
3. Press agencies using public property for cooperation in journalistic activities comply with the law on management and use of public property.
4. The Government shall elaborate this Article.
Article 24. Cooperative activities of Vietnamese press agencies with foreign partners
1. Publishing, transmitting and broadcasting press products abroad; entrusting organizations and individuals to reprint, transmit and broadcast Vietnamese press products abroad.
Press products published, transmitted and broadcast abroad have identical content to products published, transmitted and broadcast domestically, and do not contain contents prescribed in Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and Clause 11 of Article 8 of this Law.
2. Hiring foreign experts and collaborators.
3. Assigning journalists to conduct journalistic activities abroad.
4. Vietnamese press agencies establishing resident agencies or representative offices abroad comply with the strategy for development and management of the press system, and notify in writing the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of such establishment and the list of personnel of resident agencies or representative offices no later than 15 days prior to the date of establishment of resident agencies or representative offices abroad.
5. Vietnamese press agencies cooperating with foreign partners comply with legal provisions relating to cooperation activities and bear responsibility for management of personnel engaged in cooperative activities with foreign partners.
Article 25. Press legal deposit regime and submission of press publications
1. Print press agencies perform submission for legal deposit of print press publications and digitized copies of publications to the regulatory agency for state management of the press; submit print press publications and digitized copies for storage at the National Library of Vietnam.
Online press agencies perform storage of posted and disseminated information contents.
Radio and television agencies perform storage of programs that have been transmitted and broadcast, and information on signal sources used for relay broadcasting.
2. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism performs electronic legal deposit for online press, radio broadcasting and television broadcasting, measurement and publication of data relating to press activities in accordance with Government regulations.
3. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism organizes inspection of press legal deposit; province-level People’s Committees organize inspection of legal deposit of local press.
4. The Minister of Finance prescribes remuneration regimes for persons reading, listening to and viewing for inspection of press legal deposit.
5. The Government provides elaboration of Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article.
Article 26. Leadership of press agencies
1. Leadership of press agencies includes heads of press agencies, persons assigned to perform the tasks of heads of press agencies, and deputy heads of press agencies.
2. Leadership of press agencies are Vietnamese citizens, have permanent residence in Vietnam, and satisfy standards and conditions for appointment in accordance with law.
3. Leadership of press agencies may not concurrently hold leadership positions of other press agencies, except for the cases prescribed in Clause 4 of this Article.
4. Leadership of key multi-media press agencies may concurrently hold leadership positions of one or more subordinate press agencies.
5. Heads of press agencies and persons assigned to perform the tasks of heads of press agencies are held accountable to supervisory bodies of the press and before the law for all activities of press agencies within the scope of their assigned tasks and powers.
6. Deputy heads of press agencies are held accountable to supervisory bodies of the press, heads of press agencies, persons assigned to perform the tasks of heads of press agencies, and before the law for activities of press agencies within the scope of assigned tasks and powers.
7. The Government provides elaboration of Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article.
Article 27. Rights and obligations of journalists
1. Journalists are persons granted press cards in accordance with Article 28 of this Law.
2. Journalists have the following rights:
a) Conducting journalistic activities within the territory of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, conducting journalistic activities abroad in accordance with law, and being protected by law in professional activities;
b) Using, providing and accessing information in journalistic activities in accordance with law;
c) Accessing agencies and organizations for professional journalistic activities. Upon working visits, journalists present press cards only. Agencies and organizations provide journalists with materials and documents not falling within the scope of state secrets, personal secrets, family secrets and other secrets as prescribed by law;
d) Conducting professional journalistic activities at public court hearings; being arranged separate areas for professional activities; directly contacting persons conducting proceedings and persons participating in proceedings to collect information and conduct interviews in accordance with law;
dd) Receiving training and further training to improve political qualifications and journalistic professional skills;
e) Refusing participation in compilation or presentation of journalistic works in violation of law.
3. Journalists have the following obligations:
a) Providing truthful information on the domestic and international situation in conformity with the interests of the country and of the People; reflecting legitimate opinions and aspirations of the People;
b) Protecting the Party’s guidelines and orientations, and the State’s policies and laws; detecting, propagating and protecting positive factors; preventing and combating wrongful ideologies and acts;
c) Complying with regulations on professional ethics of journalists;
d) Refraining from abusing the title of journalist to harass or commit unlawful acts;
dd) Correcting and apologizing in cases of false information, distortion, defamation, or infringement upon the prestige of agencies and organizations, and the reputation, honor and dignity of individuals;
e) Being held accountable before the law and before heads of press agencies for contents of their journalistic works and for violations of law.
4. Persons not yet granted press cards, when conducting professional journalistic activities, possess letters of introduction issued by their press agencies and exercise rights and obligations similar to those of journalists.
The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism prescribes the form of letters of introduction prescribed in this Clause.
Article 28. Grant, exchange and revocation of press cards
1. Persons eligible for consideration for grant of press cards include:
a) Leaders of press agencies and the national news agency;
b) Heads and deputy heads of professional press departments or divisions of press agencies and the national news agency;
c) Reporters and editors of press agencies and the national news agency;
d) Camerapersons and directors of radio and television programs (excluding feature films) of units granted press operation licenses in the fields of radio broadcasting and television broadcasting, and production of State-funded documentary films;
dd) Persons who have been granted press cards and are transferred to work in teaching journalism at higher education institutions, working as full-time officials at journalists associations at all levels, or directly performing state management of the press.
2. Conditions and standards for consideration for grant of press cards:
a) Being Vietnamese citizens and having permanent residence in Vietnam;
b) Holding a university degree or higher; in the case of camerapersons of press agencies operating television press types, and ethnic minority persons producing print press publications, radio programs, television programs, thematic sections of online press outlets, and content channels of press agencies in cyberspace in ethnic minority languages, holding a college degree or higher;
c) In case of first-time grant of press cards, having a continuous working period of at least 2 years at the press agency requesting grant of the press card as of the time of consideration, and having completed training courses on journalistic professional skills and professional ethics; this condition does not apply to leaders of press agencies who have obtained written consent for appointment from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;
d) Being proposed for grant of press cards by press agencies or employing agencies.
3. The following cases are not eligible for consideration for grant of press cards:
a) Not falling within the subjects prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article;
b) Having violated regulations on professional ethics of journalists, and not yet reaching the period of 12 months from the date of conclusion of the Vietnam Journalists Association as of the time of consideration;
c) Having been subject to disciplinary action in the form of reprimand or more severe sanctions, and not yet reaching the period of 12 months from the date of the disciplinary decision as of the time of consideration;
d) Being related persons in cases for which conclusions of competent regulatory agencies have not yet been issued;
dd) Having been convicted by a court judgment or decision that has taken legal effect and not yet having criminal records expunged;
e) Having had press cards revoked due to violations of law, and not yet exceeding the period of 12 months from the date of the revocation decision as of the time of consideration.
4. Validity of press cards is 5 years from the date of grant and is indicated on the press card. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism considers exchange of press cards upon expiration of validity.
5. Persons granted press cards have press cards revoked in the following cases:
a) Violating regulations on professional ethics of journalists, journalistic professional activities, information in the press, or misuse of press cards for improper purposes causing serious consequences;
b) Being subject to a decision by procedural-conducting bodies to initiate criminal proceedings against the accused; in cases where competent authorities suspend investigation or suspend cases, or from the date on which court judgments or decisions taking legal effect declare such journalists not guilty or exempt from criminal liability, regulatory agencies for state management of the press bear responsibility for returning press cards;
c) Being subject to disciplinary decisions by competent authorities in the form of warning or more severe sanctions, or being reprimanded twice within 2 years in accordance with law;
d) Falling within cases required to return press cards but failing to return them within 30 days from the date of request by press agencies.
6. The Government provides detailed provisions on cases of re-grant, exchange and return of press cards.
7. Applications and procedures for grant, exchange, re-grant and revocation of press cards, and competence, programs and requirements of training courses on journalistic professional skills and professional ethics are prescribed by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Section 1. JOURNALISTIC ACTIVITIES IN CYBERSPACE
Article 29. Journalistic activities in cyberspace
1. Journalistic activities in cyberspace of press agencies comply with the law on the press, the law on cybersecurity, provisions on purposes and objectives of press agencies, and are consistent with international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a party.
2. Press agencies, in addition to posting and disseminating press content, are permitted to integrate online service activities on the press in accordance with Government regulations.
3. Operators of the national digital press platform bear responsibility for ensuring integrity of information contents posted and disseminated on the national digital press platform.
4. The Government provides detailed provisions on the national digital press platform and digital tools for performing supervision of journalistic activities in cyberspace.
Article 30. Responsibilities of press agencies when opening content channels of press agencies in cyberspace
1. Bearing responsibility for contents and copyrights when posting and disseminating information on content channels of press agencies in cyberspace.
2. Not bearing responsibility for information contents altered due to faults of social network operating organizations.
3. Posting information on content channels of press agencies in cyberspace before or after editing and updating information in the press, and storing contents published in cyberspace on server systems in accordance with provisions of this Law on legal deposit of online press.
4. Performing notification to regulatory agencies for state management of the press upon opening content channels of press agencies in cyberspace, and establishing online connections with legal deposit systems of regulatory agencies for state management of the press to serve measurement and monitoring of information trends in cyberspace in accordance with Government regulations.
Section 2. INFORMATION IN THE PRESS
Article 31. Provision of information to the press
1. Within the scope of their assigned tasks and powers, agencies, organizations and competent persons have the right and obligation to provide information to the press and bear legal responsibility for the contents of information provided. Press agencies accurately use the contents of information provided and clearly indicate the sources of information.
2. Agencies, organizations and competent persons have the right to refuse provision of information to the press in the following cases:
a) Information falling within the list of state secrets, personal secrets, family secrets and other secrets in accordance with law;
b) Information relating to cases under investigation or not yet adjudicated, except where administrative agencies or investigative agencies need to provide information on the press that is beneficial to investigative activities and crime prevention and control;
c) Information relating to matters under inspection without inspection conclusions; matters under resolution of complaints and denunciations; disputes and conflicts among regulatory agencies that are under resolution and for which no official conclusions have been issued by competent persons, and which are not permitted to be disclosed in accordance with law.
3. With respect to cases under investigation or prosecution but not yet adjudicated, and negative matters or matters showing signs of legal violations without conclusions of competent regulatory agencies, the press has the right to provide information based on its sources of documents and bears legal responsibility for the contents of information.
4. Press agencies and journalists have the right and obligation not to disclose information providers, except where written requests are made by the Chief Procurator of the People’s Procuracy, the Chief Judge of the province-level People’s Court or equivalent, the Head of the Investigation Agency of the Ministry of Public Security, or the Head of the Investigation Agency of the province-level Public Security for purposes of investigation, prosecution and adjudication of crimes.
The Chief Procurator of the People’s Procuracy, the Chief Judge of the province-level People’s Court or equivalent, the Head of the Investigation Agency of the Ministry of Public Security, and the Head of the Investigation Agency of the province-level Public Security bear responsibility for organizing protection of information providers; law enforcement agencies coordinate with these authorities in protecting information providers.
5. Administrative agencies bear responsibility for appointing spokespersons, conducting spokesperson activities, and providing information to the press on a regular, irregular and extraordinary basis.
The Government provides detailed provisions on spokesperson activities and provision of information to the press by administrative agencies.
Article 32. Responses on the press
1. Heads of press agencies have the right to request agencies, organizations and competent persons to respond to issues raised by organizations and citizens on the press.
2. Heads of agencies and organizations bear responsibility for informing press agencies of measures taken to resolve opinions, recommendations, feedback, criticisms, complaints and denunciations forwarded by press agencies.
3. The Government shall elaborate this Article.
Article 33. Interview responses on the press
1. Interviewers notify interviewees in advance of interview purposes, requirements and questions; in cases where direct interviews are necessary without prior notice, consent of interviewees is required.
2. After interviews, interviewers, based on information and documents provided by interviewees, have the right to present information in appropriate forms. Interviewers accurately and truthfully present contents of interviewees’ responses. Interviewees have the right to request review of their responses prior to publication or dissemination. Press agencies and interviewers comply with such requests.
3. Journalists may not use statements made at conferences, seminars, meetings, discussions or conversations attended by journalists to produce interview articles without consent of speakers.
4. Press agencies, interviewers and interviewees bear responsibility for contents of information published or disseminated on the press.
Article 34. Correction on the press
1. Press agencies providing false information, distortion, defamation, or infringement upon the prestige of agencies and organizations, and the reputation, honor and dignity of individuals publish and disseminate corrections and apologies on the press and notify affected agencies, organizations and individuals.
2. Upon issuance of written conclusions by competent regulatory agencies determining that information published or disseminated by the press is false, distorted or defamatory, press agencies publish and disseminate such conclusion contents.
3. Press agencies notify press agencies, agencies, organizations and enterprises operating aggregated electronic information websites that have agreements on use of articles to remove false information and conduct correction and apology in accordance with law.
4. The Government shall elaborate this Article.
Article 35. Removal of violating information and recall of print press products
1. Depending on the nature and severity of violations, regulatory agencies for state management of the press have the right to request press agencies to immediately remove violating information from press products for online press, content channels of press agencies in cyberspace, and the national digital press platform, or issue decisions on recall of print press products.
2. The Government shall elaborate this Article.
Article 36. Feedback on information
1. Where agencies, organizations or individuals have grounds to believe that press agencies provide false information, distortion, defamation, or infringement upon their prestige, honor and dignity, or cause misunderstanding affecting their prestige, honor and dignity, submission of written feedback to press agencies, supervisory bodies of the press, regulatory agencies for state management of the press, or initiation of lawsuits at courts is permitted.
2. Press agencies publish and disseminate feedback opinions of agencies, organizations and individuals, except where feedback opinions are unlawful or infringe upon the prestige of press agencies, or the reputation, honor and dignity of authors of journalistic works. In cases where feedback opinions are not published or disseminated, press agencies notify in writing and clearly state reasons to agencies, organizations and individuals.
3. The Government shall elaborate this Article.
1. Agencies, organizations and Vietnamese citizens, foreign representative agencies and foreign organizations in Vietnam have the right to organize press conferences to provide information to the press in accordance with Government regulations.
2. Regulatory agencies for state management of the press have the right to suspend press conferences upon detection of signs of legal violations or where press conference contents contain information prescribed in Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 of Article 8 of this Law.
Article 38. Advertising on the press
The press may publish and disseminate advertisements. Publication and dissemination of advertisements on the press comply with this Law and with the law on advertising.
Article 39. Copyright in the field of the press
1. Press agencies comply with legal provisions on copyright and related rights when publishing and disseminating journalistic works.
2. Agencies, organizations and individuals using journalistic works of press agencies enter into agreements with press agencies in accordance with the law on intellectual property.
3. Press agencies and authors of journalistic works using artificial intelligence systems to support journalistic activities comply with legal provisions on intellectual property, artificial intelligence and professional ethics.
4. The Government provides detailed provisions on responsibilities of press agencies in the use of artificial intelligence systems.
Article 40. Information required to be recorded and presented on press products
1. Information required to be recorded and presented on press products includes:
a) Names of press agencies, names of supervisory bodies of the press, and heads of press agencies, applicable to print press and online press;
b) Signature tunes and symbols, applicable to radio broadcasting and television broadcasting;
c) The term “magazine”, applicable to magazines.
2. The Government provides detailed provisions on Point a of Clause 1 of this Article.
Article 41. Protection of contents of radio programs, television programs and online press contents
Radio broadcasting, television broadcasting and online press have the right to apply technical measures to protect contents of radio programs, television programs and online press contents.
Section 3. PRINTING, DISTRIBUTION AND PROVISION OF RADIO AND TELEVISION BROADCASTING SERVICES
Article 42. Printing of the press
Printing establishments holding licenses for printing newspapers and magazines in accordance with the law on publishing perform signed contracts with press agencies and ensure timelines for press distribution.
Article 43. Distribution of the press
1. Press agencies organize press distribution or authorize organizations and individuals to distribute the press.
2. Supervisory bodies of the press, press agencies, organizations and individuals participating in press distribution, and organizations licensed to export and import the press perform decisions on recall of print press products issued by competent regulatory agencies. Press agencies and distributing organizations that have print press products subject to recall bear all costs relating to recall.
3. The Minister of Science and Technology prescribes maximum tariffs for public postal services distributing public-interest press.
Article 44. Provision of foreign program channels on paid radio and television broadcasting services
1. Foreign television broadcasters providing foreign program channels into Vietnam and collecting copyright fees conduct registration for provision of radio program channels and television program channels through authorized agents in Vietnam and perform financial obligations to the State of Vietnam.
2. Conditions, applications and procedures for application for certificates of registration for provision of foreign radio program channels and television program channels on paid radio and television broadcasting services are prescribed by the Government.
Article 45. Provision of radio and television broadcasting services
1. Radio and television broadcasting service providers ensure intact transmission, broadcasting and conveyance of information contents of press agencies.
2. Providers of free-to-air radio and television broadcasting services ensure time slots, duration and coverage, and quality of transmission, broadcasting and conveyance of radio program channels and television program channels serving political tasks and essential information and communication tasks of the nation and localities.
3. Providers of paid radio and television broadcasting services obtain licenses for service provision issued by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism prior to operation.
4. Principles for provision of free-to-air radio and television broadcasting services, and conditions, applications and procedures for issuance of certificates of registration for direct reception of foreign television signals from satellites and licenses for provision of paid radio and television broadcasting services are prescribed by the Government.
Section 4. EXPORT AND IMPORT OF THE PRESS AND PRESS ACTIVITIES OF FOREIGN ENTITIES IN VIETNAM
Article 46. Export and import of the press
1. Press products lawfully published, disseminated and issued in Vietnam may be exported abroad. Export activities may be conducted by press agencies or enterprises that have business lines for import and export.
2. Import of print press is conducted through press agencies and business establishments providing imported press distribution services holding licenses.
3. Prior to import of print press, press agencies and business establishments providing imported press distribution services register lists of imported print press with province-level People’s Committees where their head offices are located or where border gates through which print press is imported are situated.
4. Heads of press agencies and business establishments providing imported press distribution services organize inspection of contents of imported press prior to distribution and bear legal responsibility for contents of imported press.
5. The Government shall elaborate this Article.
Article 47. Journalistic activities of foreign press agencies, foreign representative agencies and foreign organizations in Vietnam
1. All journalistic activities and activities related to the press conducted by foreign news agencies, print press, online press, radio broadcasting and television broadcasting (hereinafter collectively referred to as foreign press); by diplomatic missions, consular missions, representative offices of intergovernmental international organizations and other foreign agencies authorized to perform consular functions in Vietnam (hereinafter collectively referred to as foreign representative agencies); and by representative offices of non-governmental organizations and other foreign organizations in Vietnam (hereinafter collectively referred to as foreign organizations) are only permitted to be carried out after obtaining approval from competent authorities of Vietnam and comply with Vietnamese law.
2. The Government shall elaborate this Article.
Section 5. NEWS BULLETINS AND SPECIAL ISSUES
Article 48. Publication of news bulletins
1. Agencies, organizations, enterprises, foreign representative agencies and foreign organizations in Vietnam are permitted to publish news bulletins to provide information on their internal activities, professional guidance, research results, applications, and results of seminars and conferences.
2. Validity period of licenses for publication of news bulletins is specified in each license but does not exceed 1 year from the date of grant.
3. Agencies, organizations, enterprises, foreign representative agencies and foreign organizations in Vietnam publishing news bulletins perform legal deposit of news bulletins in accordance with regulations of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
4. Licenses for publication of news bulletins of central agencies and organizations, foreign representative agencies and foreign organizations in Vietnam are granted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Licenses for publication of news bulletins of provincial and municipal agencies, organizations and enterprises are granted by province-level People’s Committees.
5. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism organizes inspection of legally deposited news bulletins of central agencies and organizations, foreign representative agencies and foreign organizations in Vietnam. Province-level People’s Committees organize inspection of legally deposited news bulletins of provincial and municipal agencies, organizations and enterprises.
6. Conditions, applications and procedures for application for licenses for publication of news bulletins are prescribed by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Article 49. Publication of special issues
1. Agencies, organizations, enterprises, foreign representative agencies and foreign organizations in Vietnam are permitted to publish special issues to provide information by event or theme.
2. Validity period of licenses for publication of special issues is specified in each license but does not exceed 1 year from the date of grant.
3. Agencies, organizations, enterprises, foreign representative agencies and foreign organizations in Vietnam publishing special issues perform legal deposit of special issues in accordance with regulations of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
4. Licenses for publication of special issues of central agencies and organizations, foreign representative agencies and foreign organizations in Vietnam are granted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Licenses for publication of special issues of provincial and municipal agencies, organizations and enterprises are granted by province-level People’s Committees.
5. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism organizes inspection of legally deposited special issues of central agencies and organizations, foreign representative agencies and foreign organizations in Vietnam. Province-level People’s Committees organize inspection of legally deposited special issues of provincial and municipal agencies, organizations and enterprises.
6. Conditions, applications and procedures for application for licenses for publication of special issues are prescribed by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
1. This Law comes into force as of July 1, 2026, except for the cases prescribed in Clauses 2 and 3 of this Article.
2. Provisions prescribed in Clause 4 of Article 16 and Clause 4 of Article 28 of this Law come into force as of January 1, 2026.
3. Provisions on conditions for first-time consideration for grant of press cards requiring completion of training courses on journalistic professional skills and professional ethics as prescribed in Point c of Clause 2 of Article 28 of this Law come into force as of January 1, 2027.
4. The Law on the Press No. 103/2016/QH13, as amended by the Law No. 35/2018/QH14 and the Law No. 93/2025/QH15, ceases to have effect as of the date on which this Law comes into force, except for provisions prescribed in Article 51 of this Law.
Article 51. Transitional provisions
Press agencies under social organizations and professional-social organizations that have been granted press operation licenses prior to the effective date of this Law continue operation until expiration of their licenses.
This Law was adopted by the 15th National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at its 10th session on December 10, 2025.
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PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY Tran Thanh Man |
