Law on Press No. 126/2025/QH15

LAW

PRESS

On the basis of The Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam has been amended and supplemented by Resolution No. 203/2025/QH15;

The National Assembly enacts the Press Law.

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Law stipulates on the freedom of press, the right to freedom of speech through the press of citizens; organization and operation of the press; rights and obligations of agencies, organizations, and individuals participating in and related to press activities; state management over the press.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

In this Law, the following terms shall be understood as follows:

1. Press is a product of information about events and issues in natural and social life expressed in writing, speech, sound, images, created, published, distributed, transmitted to a large audience through print media, electronic media, radio, television.

2. Print Media is a type of press that uses writing, images, published periodically using printing means to distribute to readers, including printed newspapers and magazines.

3. Electronic Media is a type of press that uses writing, images, sounds, graphics transmitted over cyberspace, including online newspapers and online magazines.

4. Radio is a type of press that uses speech, sound, transmitted and broadcasted over technical infrastructure applying different technologies and over cyberspace.

5. Television is a type of press that primarily uses images, combined with writing, speech, sound, graphics, transmitted and broadcasted over technical infrastructure applying different technologies and over cyberspace.

6. Press Activities are creative activities of press works, press products, information products with journalistic nature; providing and responding to information for the press; correcting information in the press; publishing, printing, distributing print media; transmitting electronic media; broadcasting radio and television and publishing press on cyberspace.

7. Publishing Press on Cyberspace is the act of posting, broadcasting information on the content channel of the press agency on cyberspace or posting, broadcasting information on the national digital press platform.

8. Press Products are supplements of print media; complete contents of electronic media and the national digital press platform; news bulletins; radio program channels, television program channels; specialized pages of electronic media; content channels of press agencies on cyberspace.

9. Supplement is additional pages beyond the specified number of pages and distributed together with the main issue of print media publications.

10. News Bulletin is a press product of the national news agency, expressed in writing, speech, sound, images, graphics to convey domestic and international current news or specialized information.

11. Radio Program Channel, Television Program Channel is a press product consisting of radio programs, television programs arranged stably and continuously, transmitted and broadcasted during specific time slots and marked with recognizable signs.

12. Specialized Page of Electronic Media is an information page on a specific topic, consistent with the purpose and objectives of electronic media, having a sub-domain name defined in the press electronic activity license.

13. Content Channel of Press Agencies on Cyberspace is an information channel established by press agencies on social networks to provide, transmit, collect, exchange, share information, connect communities of social network users, marked with recognizable signs when established on different social networks.

14. National Digital Press Platform is an information technology system designed to support and manage press activities, including publication, distribution, and content management.

15. Magazine is a press product publishing news articles with specialized, professional characteristics, exchanging, guiding professional practices according to the purposes and objectives defined in the license; only updating news and events about the activities and fields of operation of the managing agency, including print magazines and online magazines.

16. Scientific Journal is a press product published periodically to announce research results, information about professional scientific activities.

17. Radio program, television program is a collection of news and articles on radio and television under a specific theme within a certain time frame, marked with recognizable opening and closing signs.

18. Category of press is the form of expression of press works, including news, photos, commentaries, editorials, specialized articles, reports, quick notes, live coverage, reflections, investigations, interviews, journalistic essays, research, roundtable discussions, and other categories.

19. Press work is the smallest unit constituting a press product, having independent content and complete structure, consisting of news and articles expressed through writing, sound, and images.

20. Information product with press characteristics is an information product expressed through press categories, published in bulletins and special issues of agencies, organizations, enterprises.

21. Bulletin is an information product with press characteristics published regularly to provide information about internal activities, guide professional practices, research results, applications, outcomes of seminars and conferences of agencies, organizations, enterprises.

22. Special issue is an information product with press characteristics published irregularly according to events and themes.

23. Reporter is a person working at a press agency, performing the task of press reporting, writing news and articles.

24. Editor is a person working at a press agency, performing the task of editing and revising the content of news and articles.

25. Radio and television service is a telecommunications application service providing intact radio channels, television channels, radio programs, television programs, on-demand content, and value-added services from service providers to users.

Article 3. Position, functions, tasks of the press

1. The press of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is revolutionary press, closely linked to the revolutionary cause of national liberation, construction, and defense of the socialist Fatherland, operating in a professional, humanistic, and modern direction.

2. The press is an essential means of communication for social life; press agencies are the organs of public opinion of Party agencies, state agencies, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, political-social organizations, political-social-professional organizations, social organizations, social-professional organizations; they are forums for the people.

3. The press has the following functions and tasks:

a) Providing truthful and timely information about the situation of the country and the world in accordance with the interests of the country and the people;

b) Propagating and disseminating, contributing to building and defending the Party's policies, state laws, achievements of the country and the world; contributing to political stability, economic and social development, raising the cultural level of the people, meeting their healthy cultural needs, protecting and promoting fine traditions of the nation, building and promoting socialist democracy, strengthening the great unity of the entire people, building and defending the socialist Fatherland of Vietnam; communicating policies, international information, enhancing the image and status of the country;

c) Reflecting and guiding public opinion; serving as a forum for exercising the right to freedom of speech of the people;

d) Discovering and showcasing good people and deeds, new factors, exemplary models; fighting against violations of the law and negative phenomena, wastefulness in society;

đ) Contributing to maintaining the purity and developing the Vietnamese language and the spoken and written languages of ethnic minorities in Vietnam; creating favorable conditions for people with disabilities to access press information;

e) Expanding mutual understanding between countries and nations, participating in the cause of the world's people for peace, national independence, friendship, cooperation, and sustainable development.

Article 4. Citizens' freedom of press

1. Creating press works.

2. Providing information to the press.

3. Responding to information on the press.

4. Requesting corrections on the press.

5. Accessing press information.

6. Linking with press agencies to produce press products.

7. Printing and distributing printed press.

Article 5. Citizens' freedom of speech through the press

1. Expressing opinions on national and world situations.

2. Participating in opinions on building and implementing the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws.

3. Contributing opinions, petitions, reflections, criticisms, complaints, and accusations on the press regarding Party organizations, state agencies, political-social organizations, political-social-professional organizations, social organizations, social-professional organizations, and other organizations and individuals.

Article 6. Responsibilities of press agencies towards citizens' freedom of press and freedom of speech through the press subject, organization, unit under the People's Committee of the commune level 1. Publishing or broadcasting citizens' opinions, petitions, reflections, criticisms, news articles, images, and other press works that are consistent with the objectives and purposes and do not contain contents stipulated in Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 of Article 8 of this Law; in cases where they are not published or broadcasted, they must respond and clearly state the reasons when requested.

2. Responding or proposing relevant agencies, organizations, or authorized persons to respond on the press, providing written responses to petitions, reflections, complaints, and accusations sent to press agencies.

Article 7. The State's responsibilities towards citizens' freedom of press and freedom of speech through the press

1. The State creates favorable conditions for citizens to exercise their freedom of press and freedom of speech through the press and for the press to fully play its role.

2. Press and journalists operate within the framework of the law and are protected by the State. No one shall abuse the freedom of press and freedom of speech through the press to infringe upon the interests of the State, the rights, and legitimate interests of organizations and individuals.

3. Press is not subject to pre-publication censorship before printing, broadcasting, and publishing online.

1. Publishing or broadcasting information opposing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam with the following contents:

Article 8. Prohibited Acts

a) Distorting the Party's guidelines, policies, and the State's laws;

b) Fabricating, causing public panic; slandering, denying the people's government;

c) Causing psychological warfare.

2. Publishing or broadcasting information with the following contents:

a) Dividing classes and strata of the people, separating the people from the government, armed forces, political organizations, and political-social organizations;

b) Inciting hatred, discrimination based on gender; discriminating against gender, ethnicity, social status; discriminating against and treating unfairly disabled people and vulnerable groups; dividing and separating ethnic groups, violating equality among ethnic communities in Vietnam;

c) Discriminating against beliefs and religions; causing division between believers and non-believers, between different religious believers, and between religious followers and the people's government, political organizations, and political-social organizations; insulting religious beliefs;

d) Undermining the implementation of international solidarity policies.

3. Publishing or broadcasting information inciting war against the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

4. Distorting history; denying revolutionary achievements; insulting the nation and national heroes.

5. Information affecting Vietnam's position, reputation, and image negatively; harming foreign relations and international cooperation between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and other countries and partners.

6. Disclosing information classified as state secrets, personal secrets, family secrets, and other secrets as prescribed by law.

7. Promoting outdated customs, superstitions, and irrational beliefs; information about mysterious events causing public panic, adversely affecting social order, safety, and community health; using language distorting the Vietnamese language leading to misinterpretation of propaganda content.

8. Inciting violence; promoting decadent lifestyles; detailing lewd actions and criminal behaviors; information inconsistent with Vietnamese traditional customs and morals.

9. False information, distortion, defamation, and insult to the reputation of agencies and organizations, the reputation, honor, and dignity of individuals; imputing criminal charges without a court judgment.

10. Information affecting the normal development of children.

11. Printing, distributing, transmitting, broadcasting, and publishing online press products, press works, and information content in press works that have been suspended, recalled, confiscated, banned, removed, destroyed, or corrected by press agencies.

12. Obstructing the printing, distribution, transmission, broadcasting, and publication online of legal press products and information products with press characteristics to the public.

13. Threatening, intimidating the lives, causing injuries or harm to health, insulting the reputation, honor, and dignity of journalists and reporters; destroying, seizing equipment, documents, obstructing journalists and reporters from practicing their profession legally.

14. Publishing or broadcasting on information products with press characteristics the information stipulated in Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 of this Article.

14. Publish and broadcast on information products with journalistic characteristics the information specified in Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 of this Article.

Article 9. State policy on the development of press

1. Develop and manage a strategic system for the press.

2. Invest in developing the press, focusing on key areas including:

a) Training and professional development in specialized fields, developing digital transformation human resources for the press and managing press activities, conducting scientific research, and applying modern technology to press agencies;

b) National digital press platform;

c) Press digital data infrastructure;

d) Digital tools for monitoring press activities on cyberspace.

3. Assign tasks, place orders, conduct bidding, and support transportation costs, publication fees, transmission, broadcasting expenses for the press to serve political missions, national defense, security, cultural, information dissemination about emergency situations, foreign information, policy communication, serving juveniles, children, the hearing-impaired, visually impaired, ethnic minority groups, regions with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions, mountainous areas, border regions, islands, and other important tasks as decided by the Prime Minister; implement preferential tax policies as prescribed by law.

Article 10. State management of the press

1. The Government uniformly manages state administration over the press.

2. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is responsible before the Government for implementing state administration over the press.

3. Ministries and ministerial-level agencies within their assigned tasks and authorities have the responsibility to coordinate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in implementing state administration over the press.

4. Provincial People's Committees are responsible for state administration over the press concerning local press agencies, permanent representative offices, representative offices, permanent reporters at localities, and other activities as stipulated by this Law.

Article 11. Content of state management of the press

1. Build, direct, and organize the implementation of strategies and plans for press development; organize the establishment of plans for the development of press agencies within the strategy for development and management of the press system.

2. Issue and organize the implementation of legal normative documents on the press; build systems and policies on the press.

3. Organize information for the press; manage press information.

4. Train and enhance the political level, professional skills, occupational ethics, and technology for the press workforce of press agencies and press management officials.

5. Organize the management of scientific and technological activities in the field of the press.

6. Issue and revoke various types of licenses in press activities and journalist cards.

7. Manage international cooperation in the press, manage the activities of Vietnamese press agencies related to foreign countries, and the activities of foreign press in Vietnam.

8. Inspect press products and proof copies of special editions; manage the national press proofing system.

9. Direct and implement information reporting, statistics, and commendation and disciplinary work in press activities.

10. Conduct inspections, checks, and handle violations of press laws.

Article 12. Vietnam Journalists' Association

1. Protect the rights and legitimate interests of members and journalists.

2. Issue and organize the implementation of regulations on professional ethics for journalists.

3. Conclude on violations of professional ethics by journalists; handle violations of professional ethics by members; recommend competent authorities to handle violations of professional ethics by non-member journalists.

4. Foster professional ethics and journalism skills for journalists.

5. Organize press awards to honor authors and author groups with high-quality press works that have positive social impacts.

Chapter II
ORGANIZATIONS OF THE PRESS

Section 1. THE AUTHORITIES MANAGING THE PRESS

Article 13. Authorities Managing the Press

The authorities managing the press are agencies or organizations that propose the issuance of press operation licenses, establish, and directly manage press agencies under their name.

Article 14. Rights and Duties of the Authorities Managing the Press

1. The authorities managing the press have the following rights:

a) Propose the type of press, mission, purpose, target audience, language of expression for each type of press and each type of press product; determine the tasks and directions of press agency operations;

b) Appoint, reappoint the head and deputy heads of the press agency, assign individuals to perform the duties of the head of the press agency after obtaining a written consensus from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

c) Discipline, temporarily suspend, request resignation, or remove the head and deputy heads of the press agency, individuals assigned to perform the duties of the head of the press agency, and notify the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

d) Inspect and supervise the activities of the press agency, and reward or discipline according to the provisions of the law.

2. The authorities managing the press have the following duties:

a) Direct the press agency to comply with the mission, purpose, tasks, and operational direction; organize personnel and be responsible for the activities of the press agency;

b) Ensure conditions regarding personnel, material infrastructure, and finance for the press agency to operate in accordance with the press operation license;

c) Resolve complaints, accusations, suggestions, and reflections concerning the press agency and individuals within the press agency under their management according to the provisions of the law;

d) Resolve financial, property, labor, insurance, tax obligations, and other issues to terminate the operations of the press agency when the press agency's license is revoked or its operations end;

e) Train and instruct the press agency to conduct professional, vocational, and occupational ethics training for individuals working at subordinate press agencies;

3. The head of the authority managing the press may not concurrently hold a leadership position in the press agency, except in cases stipulated in Clause 4, Article 26 of this Law, and shall be responsible before the law within the scope, tasks, and powers granted to them for any violations committed by subordinate press agencies.

Section 2. THE PRESS AGENCIES

Article 15. Press Agencies

1. Press agencies implement one or more types of press, produce one or more press products, and have subordinate press agencies as prescribed by this Law.

2. Press agencies must obtain a press operation license issued by the state management agency for the press to operate legally.

3. Press agencies have legal personality, seals, and bank accounts as prescribed by law.

4. Press agencies must comply with the mission and purpose specified in the press operation license and the tasks assigned to them.

5. Multi-media leading press agencies have multiple types of press and subordinate press agencies; they have special financial mechanisms; they are established in accordance with the development strategy and management system of the press approved by the Prime Minister.

6. Press and broadcasting agencies under provincial party committees and municipal party committees have multiple types of press and press products.

7. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on the special financial mechanisms for each multi-media leading press agency in accordance with the degree of autonomy.

Article 16. Scientific Journal Agency

1. The scientific journal agency may publish multiple scientific journals; implement the publication of scientific research results and information on specialized scientific activities.

2. The scientific journal agency has legal personality, seal, and bank account as prescribed by law.

3. Scientific criteria for scientific journals, editorial boards of scientific journals, procedures for selecting scientific articles, and classification of scientific journals shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of laws on science, technology, and innovation.

4. Persons working at the scientific journal agency under the management body of the press as stipulated in Clause 2, Article 17 of this Law are not eligible to apply for journalist cards.

Article 17. Conditions for Issuing Press Operation Licenses

1. Party agencies, state agencies, Vietnam Fatherland Front, political-social organizations, occupational-political social organizations, social organizations, occupational social organizations, religious organizations at provincial level or equivalent, operating legally in accordance with the law may apply for press operation licenses.

2. Higher education institutions, scientific and technological organizations established in the form of academies, institutes, hospitals classified as having advanced technical expertise may apply for press operation licenses to establish scientific journal agencies.

3. Agencies and organizations specified in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article that fully meet the following conditions shall be issued press operation licenses:

a) Determine the type of press; mission and purpose consistent with the functions and tasks of the managing agency; target audience; program, time, duration, transmission method, broadcasting method (for radio and television); domain name, server location, and service provider (for electronic press);

b) Have organizational and personnel plans ensuring the operation of the press agency; have individuals meeting the qualifications prescribed by this Law to hold the position of head of the press agency;

c) Have the name and presentation format of the press agency; name and presentation format of the press publication; name and symbol of the radio channel, television channel; name and presentation format of the special section of the electronic press;

d) Have headquarters and material and technical conditions; financial plan; technical solutions ensuring information security and safety; for electronic press, must have at least one ".vn" domain registered in accordance with the press name and using a system of servers located in Vietnam; for radio and television, must have plans for leasing or using transmission infrastructure, broadcasting facilities;

e) Be consistent with the development strategy and management system of the press approved by the Prime Minister.

4. In addition to the conditions stipulated in Clause 3 of this Article, social organizations and occupational social organizations when applying for press operation licenses must also meet specific conditions regarding time in operation, number of members, expected personnel, material and technical conditions, finance as prescribed by the Government.

5. After being granted a press operation license, the managing agency of the press issues a decision to establish the press agency and announces it through mass media.

Article 18. Press Activity Permit

1. The Press Activity Permit shall be issued by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

A press agency that implements additional types of press activities; publishes additional press publications, supplements; produces additional radio channels, television channels; opens specialized sections on online press; edits foreign channel programs on paid broadcasting services must meet the conditions stipulated by law and obtain a Press Activity Permit from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

2. Local press agencies that publish additional press publications, supplements shall have their permits issued by the People's Committee of the province.

3. In cases where a press agency changes its main office location, email address, publication time, internet service provider, the press agency must notify the competent state management authority for press not later than five days from the date of change.

4. In cases where a press agency requests to change the content recorded in the Press Activity Permit, except for the case specified in Clause 3 of this Article, the press agency’s supervisory body and the press agency must submit an application file and obtain approval from the competent state management authority for press.

5. In cases where there is no longer a need for press activity, at least thirty days before the expected cessation of operations, the press agency’s supervisory body must notify the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in writing to revoke the Press Activity Permit.

6. The Government shall provide detailed regulations for Clause 1 and Clause 2 of this Article.

The application dossier and procedures for issuing, amending, and supplementing the Press Activity Permit shall be prescribed by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Article 19. Revocation of Press Activity Permit

1. A press agency will have its Press Activity Permit revoked in the following circumstances:

a) A press agency with a Press Activity Permit but does not operate;

b) A press agency fails to ensure the operating conditions as stipulated in Article 17 of this Law;

c) A press agency engages in acts as defined in Article 8 of this Law causing serious impact or repeatedly violating administrative regulations.

2. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has the authority to revoke the Press Activity Permit as stipulated in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of Article 18 of this Law.

3. The People's Committee of the province has the authority to revoke the Press Activity Permit it has issued in the circumstances specified in point a and point c of Clause 1 of this Article.

4. A press agency must cease operations when its Press Activity Permit is revoked. In cases where the Press Activity Permit is revoked under the circumstances specified in point a and point b of Clause 1 of this Article, the issuance of a new Press Activity Permit can only be carried out after six months from the effective date of the revocation decision. In cases where the Press Activity Permit is revoked under the circumstances specified in point c of Clause 1 of this Article, the issuance of a new Press Activity Permit can only be carried out after three years from the effective date of the revocation decision.

5. The Government shall provide detailed regulations for Clause 1 of this Article.

Article 20. Types of Activities and Sources of Income for Press Agencies

1. Press agencies operate according to the type of public institution or in accordance with the type of the supervisory body.

2. The sources of income for press agencies include:

a) Income provided by the supervisory body of the press agency;

b) Income from selling printed press; selling reading, listening, viewing rights of press works, press products; advertising; exchange, sale of content rights; permission to exploit and use press works;

c) Income from business, service, and joint venture activities of the press agency and its subordinate units;

d) Income from financial activities and capital contribution to enterprises (if any);

đ) Income from providing public service activities assigned by competent state authorities through orders, procurement, bidding;

e) Income from implementing tasks, programs, projects approved by competent authorities;

g) Income from individuals who wish to publish scientific research articles to fund criticism, improvement, and enhancement of article quality;

h) Income from lawful sponsorships and grants from organizations and individuals both domestically and internationally (if any) and other lawful income sources.

Article 21. Permanent offices, representative offices, and permanent correspondents of Vietnamese press agencies

1. The establishment of permanent offices, representative offices, and the appointment of permanent correspondents within the country for press agencies shall be regulated as follows:

a) Press agencies that are organs of the Central Committee of the Party or organs under the Government may establish permanent offices or representative offices in provinces and cities; in cases where there are no permanent offices and representative offices, they may appoint independent permanent correspondents in provinces and cities according to needs;

b) Press agencies not falling under the provisions of point a of this clause may establish representative offices in provinces and cities; in cases where there are no representative offices, they may appoint no more than three independent permanent correspondents in provinces and cities;

c) Permanent offices have legal personality; their tasks, powers, personnel recruitment, and financial mechanisms shall be carried out in accordance with the regulations of the press agency.

Representative offices of press agencies within the country do not have legal personality; personnel at representative offices are recruited, contracted, and transferred by the press agency.

d) At least ten days before the permanent office, representative office, or permanent correspondent begins operations, the press agency must notify the People's Committee of the province where the permanent office, representative office, or permanent correspondent is located.

đ) Conditions, activities, and notification documents for establishing permanent offices, representative offices, and appointing permanent correspondents shall be prescribed by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

2. The People's Committee of the province has the responsibility to check the operational conditions of permanent offices, representative offices, and permanent correspondents. In cases where the conditions are not met, the People's Committee of the province shall issue a document requesting the press agency to terminate the operations of the permanent office, representative office, or permanent correspondent and handle it in accordance with the law.

3. The establishment of permanent offices, representative offices, and the dispatch of journalists to work abroad by press agencies shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Article 24 of this Law.

Article 22. Publishing news bulletins

National news agencies wishing to publish or cease publishing news bulletins must submit a written notice to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Article 23. Collaboration in journalistic activities

1. Press agencies are permitted to collaborate in journalistic activities with other press agencies, legal entities, or individuals who have registered business activities consistent with the field of collaboration as prescribed by law.

The head of the press agency is responsible for all collaborative activities in journalistic activities in accordance with the law.

2. Press agencies are permitted to collaborate on design, layout, printing, technology, advertising, distribution of newspapers and production of content, except for content related to current political affairs, national defense, security, and foreign relations.

3. Press agencies using state assets to implement collaborations in journalistic activities shall comply with the laws governing the management and use of state assets.

4. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this matter.

Article 24. Cooperation Activities of Vietnamese Press Agencies with Foreign Countries

1. Distribution, transmission, broadcasting of press products to foreign countries; entrusting organizations or individuals to reprint, transmit, broadcast Vietnamese press products in foreign countries.

Press products distributed, transmitted, or broadcast to foreign countries must have the same content as those distributed, transmitted, or broadcast domestically and must not contain content specified 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 contributors.

3. Dispatching journalists to work abroad.

4. Vietnamese press agencies establishing permanent offices or representative offices abroad must align with the development strategy and management system of the press and provide a written report to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism regarding the establishment and list of personnel for the permanent office or representative office at least fifteen days before the establishment of the permanent office or representative office abroad.

5. Vietnamese press agencies cooperating with foreign countries must comply with relevant laws concerning cooperation activities and are responsible for managing personnel involved in such cooperative activities.

Article 25. Archiving and submission of press publications

1. Press printing agencies must submit printed press publications and digital versions of such publications to state management agencies for press; submit printed press publications and digital versions to be stored at the National Library of Vietnam.

Press electronic agencies must store published content information.

Radio and television agencies must store transmitted programs, broadcasted programs, and information about the signal sources used for broadcasting.

2. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall implement electronic archiving for electronic press, radio, and television, monitor and publish data related to press activities as prescribed by the Government.

3. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall organize inspections of archived press, while provincial People's Committees shall organize inspections of local press archiving.

4. The Minister of Finance shall stipulate remuneration for readers, listeners, and viewers for checking press archives.

5. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on Clause 1 and Clause 2 of this Article.

Article 26. Leadership of press agencies

1. Press agency leadership includes the head of the press agency, individuals assigned to perform the duties of the head of the press agency, and deputies of the head of the press agency.

2. Press agency leadership must be Vietnamese citizens with permanent addresses in Vietnam and meet the appointment criteria as prescribed by law.

3. Press agency leadership may not concurrently hold leadership positions in other press agencies except as provided for in Clause 4 of this Article.

4. Leadership of multi-platform main press agencies may concurrently hold leadership positions in one or more subordinate press agencies.

5. The head of the press agency and individuals assigned to perform the duties of the head of the press agency are responsible before the press supervisory agency and the law for all activities of the press agency within their scope of duties and authority.

6. Deputies of the head of the press agency are responsible before the press supervisory agency, the head of the press agency, individuals assigned to perform the duties of the head of the press agency, and the law for the activities of the press agency within the scope of their assigned duties and authority.

7. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on Clause 1 and Clause 2 of this Article.

Section 3. JOURNALISTS

Article 27. Rights and Obligations of Journalists

1. A journalist is an individual who has been issued a journalist card as prescribed in Article 28 of this Law.

2. Journalists have the following rights:

a) To engage in journalism activities within the territory of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and abroad in accordance with the law and to be protected by law in their professional activities;

b) To exploit, provide, and use information in journalism activities in accordance with the law;

c) To access agencies and organizations for journalistic activities. When conducting work, journalists only need to present their journalist card. Agencies and organizations are responsible for providing journalists with materials that do not fall under the scope of state secrets, personal secrets, family secrets, and other secrets as prescribed by law;

d) To conduct journalistic activities at public trials; to be allocated a separate area for work; to communicate directly with those conducting litigation and participants in litigation to gather news and conduct interviews in accordance with the law;

đ) To receive training and further education to improve political and journalistic skills;

e) To refuse to participate in compiling or expressing journalistic works contrary to the law.

3. Journalists have the following obligations:

a) To truthfully report on the situation of the country and the world in accordance with the interests of the country and the people; to reflect legitimate opinions and aspirations of the people;

b) To protect the policies of the Party, the laws and policies of the State; to discover, promote, and protect positive factors; to combat erroneous thoughts and behaviors;

c) To comply with the professional ethics code for journalists;

d) Not to abuse the status of a journalist to harass or commit illegal acts;

đ) To correct and apologize when providing false, distorted, defamatory, or insulting information about the reputation of agencies and organizations, the reputation, honor, and dignity of individuals;

e) To be responsible before the law and the head of the press agency for the content of their journalistic works and for any violation of the law.

4. Individuals who have not been issued a journalist card must have an introduction letter from their working press agency when engaging in journalistic activities and shall enjoy the same rights and obligations as journalists.

The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall prescribe the format of the introduction letter as stipulated in this clause.

Article 28. Issuance, renewal, and revocation of journalist cards

1. The subjects eligible for consideration to be issued a journalist card include:

a) Leaders of press agencies and national news agencies;

b) Heads and deputy heads of specialized departments of press agencies and national news agencies;

c) Reporters and editors of press agencies and national news agencies;

d) Film cameramen and directors of radio and television programs (excluding feature films) of units licensed to operate press activities in the fields of radio, television, and documentary film production by the State;

đ) Individuals who have been issued a journalist card but have transferred to work as journalism instructors at higher education institutions, as dedicated staff members at journalism associations at various levels, or directly engaged in state management of press activities;

2. Conditions and criteria for considering issuance of a journalist card:

a) Be a Vietnamese citizen with a permanent residence address in Vietnam;

b) Hold a bachelor's degree or higher; in the case of film cameramen working for press agencies with television formats, ethnic minority individuals producing print publications, radio programs, television programs, and specialized sections of electronic press, and content channels of press agencies on the internet in ethnic minority languages must hold an associate degree or higher;

c) For initial issuance, they must have continuously worked at the press agency applying for the card for two years or more up to the date of application for the card and have completed a professional training course in journalism and professional ethics. This condition does not apply to leaders of press agencies who have been appointed with the agreement of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

d) Be recommended by the press agency or the workplace for issuance of a journalist card;

3. The following cases are not eligible for consideration to be issued a journalist card:

a) Not belonging to the categories specified in Clause 1 of this Article;

b) Having violated the professional ethics of journalists and not having completed the twelve-month period from the date of the conclusion of the Vietnam Journalists' Association up to the date of application for the card;

c) Having been disciplined with a warning or higher penalty and not having completed the twelve-month period from the date of the disciplinary decision up to the date of application for the card;

d) Being involved in cases without a conclusion from competent state authorities;

đ) Having been convicted by a court judgment or decision that has taken legal effect and not yet having had the criminal record expunged;

e) Having had their journalist card revoked due to violation of laws and not having exceeded twelve months from the date of the decision to revoke the journalist card up to the date of application for the card;

4. The validity period of the journalist card is five years from the date of issuance and is recorded on the card. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will consider issuing a new card when the validity period of the journalist card expires;

5. Individuals holding a journalist card shall have their card revoked in the following cases:

a) Violating the professional ethics of journalists, press activities, information published in the press, or using the journalist card for improper purposes causing serious consequences;

b) Being indicted by investigative authorities. In the event that the authority with jurisdiction suspends the investigation or terminates the case against the journalist or from the date the court judgment or decision takes legal effect declaring the journalist innocent or exempting them from criminal responsibility, the state management agency for press shall be responsible for returning the journalist card;

c) Being subject to a disciplinary penalty of a warning or higher or being reprimanded twice within two years according to the law;

d) Cases where the journalist card must be returned but is not returned within thirty days from the date of the request by the press agency;

6. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on the issuance, renewal, and return of journalist cards;

7. The dossier, procedures for issuance, renewal, reissuance, and revocation of journalist cards, organizational authority, program, and requirements of the professional training course in journalism and professional ethics shall be stipulated by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

Chapter III
PRESS ACTIVITY

Section 1. JOURNALISM ACTIVITIES ON THE CYBER SPACE

Article 29. Journalism activities on cyber space

1. Journalism activities on cyber space of news agencies must comply with laws on journalism, cybersecurity, the mission and purpose of the news agency, and be consistent with international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a party.

2. News agencies, in addition to publishing and broadcasting journalistic content, may integrate online service activities on journalism in accordance with the Government's regulations.

3. The operator of the national digital platform for journalism has the responsibility to ensure the integrity of information content published and broadcast on the national digital journalism platform.

4. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on the national digital journalism platform and digital tools to monitor journalism activities on cyber space.

Article 30. Responsibilities of news agencies when opening content channels of news agencies on cyber space

1. Bear responsibility for the content and copyright when publishing and broadcasting information on the content channel of the news agency on cyber space.

2. Not liable for information content altered due to errors of social network operators.

3. Upload information to the content channel of the news agency on cyber space before or after editing and updating information on the press and retain the published content on the cyber space on the server system in accordance with this Law's provisions on archiving electronic press.

4. Notify the competent state management agency about opening content channels of news agencies on cyber space and connect online to the archiving system of the state management agency on press to serve the monitoring of information trends on cyber space as prescribed by the Government.

Section 2. INFORMATION ON JOURNALISM

Article 31. Provision of Information to Journalism

1. Within their duties and powers, agencies, organizations, and authorized individuals have the right and obligation to provide information to journalism and bear legal responsibility for the content of the provided information. News agencies must accurately use the provided information content and clearly indicate the source of the information.

2. Agencies, organizations, and authorized individuals have the right to refuse to provide information to journalism in the following cases:

a) Information classified as state secrets, personal secrets, family secrets, and other secrets as prescribed by law;

b) Information about cases under investigation or not yet adjudicated, except where administrative state agencies and investigative agencies need to provide such information on journalism for the benefit of investigative work and crime prevention efforts;

c) Information about matters under inspection that have not concluded with inspection conclusions; matters under complaint and accusation resolution; disputes and conflicts between state agencies that are being resolved without formal conclusions from authorized authorities and are not permitted to be disclosed according to the law.

3. For cases under investigation and prosecution but not yet adjudicated, negative incidents or those showing signs of law violations but without conclusions from authorized state agencies, journalism has the right to report based on its own sources and bear legal responsibility for the content of the information.

4. News agencies and journalists have the right and obligation not to disclose the identity of information providers, except upon written request by the Procurator of the People's Procuracy, the President of the People's Court at provincial level or equivalent, the Head of the Investigation Agency of the Ministry of Public Security, and the Head of the Investigation Agency of the Provincial Police Department for investigative, prosecution, and trial purposes.

The Procurator of the People's Procuracy, the President of the People's Court at provincial level or equivalent, the Head of the Investigation Agency of the Ministry of Public Security, and the Head of the Investigation Agency of the Provincial Police Department have the responsibility to protect information providers; law enforcement agencies have the responsibility to cooperate with the Procurator of the People's Procuracy, the President of the People's Court at provincial level or equivalent, the Head of the Investigation Agency of the Ministry of Public Security, and the Head of the Investigation Agency of the Provincial Police Department to protect information providers.

5. Administrative state agencies have the responsibility to appoint spokespersons, conduct statements, and provide information to journalism regularly and in emergencies.

The Government shall provide detailed regulations on statements and provision of information to journalism by administrative state agencies.

Article 32. Answering on the Press

1. The head of the press agency has the right to request agencies, organizations, and persons with authority to answer issues raised by organizations and citizens in the press.

2. The head of the agency or organization shall be responsible for informing the press agency about measures to address opinions, suggestions, reflections, criticisms, complaints, and denunciations transferred by the press agency.

3. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this Article.

Article 33. Interviewing on the Press

1. The interviewer must inform the interviewee in advance of the purpose, requirements, and questions of the interview; in cases where direct interviews without prior notice are necessary, they must obtain the consent of the interviewee.

2. After the interview, based on the information and documents provided by the interviewee, the interviewer has the right to express it through appropriate forms. The interviewer must accurately and truthfully reflect the content of the interviewee's response. The interviewee has the right to review the content of the response before publication or broadcast. The press agency and the interviewer must fulfill this request.

3. Journalists may not use statements made at conferences, seminars, meetings, exchanges, or speeches attended by journalists to form an interview article without the speaker's consent.

4. The press agency, the interviewer, and the interviewee must bear responsibility for the content of the information published or broadcast on the press.

Article 34. Correction on the Press

1. If a press agency disseminates false information, distorts facts, slanders, or defames the reputation of agencies, organizations, or the reputation, honor, and dignity of individuals, it must publish or broadcast a correction and apology on the press and notify the relevant agencies, organizations, or individuals.

2. When there is a conclusion from a competent state agency regarding an event that the press has published or broadcast as false information, distortion, slander, or defamation, the press agency must publish or broadcast the content of that conclusion.

3. The press agency must notify the press agency, the operating organization of the integrated online information portal, which has agreed to use the news or articles, to remove false information and implement corrections and apologies as prescribed.

4. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this matter.

Article 35. Removal of Violative Information, Recall of Printed Press Products

1. Depending on the nature and degree of violation, the state management agency for the press has the right to require the press agency to immediately remove information on press products containing violative content for electronic press, content channels of the press agency on the internet, national digital press platforms, or issue a decision to recall printed press products.

2. The Government shall provide detailed regulations for this Article.

Article 36. Response to Information

1. When an agency, organization, or individual has grounds to believe that the press agency has disseminated false information, distorted facts, slandered, or defamed their reputation, honor, and dignity, or caused misunderstanding affecting their reputation, honor, and dignity, they have the right to submit a written response to the press agency, the main managing agency of the press, the state management agency for the press, or file a lawsuit with the Court.

2. The press agency must publish or broadcast the response of the agency, organization, or individual, except when the response is contrary to the law, defaming the reputation of the press agency, or the reputation, honor, and dignity of the press work author. In cases where the response is not published or broadcast, the press agency must notify in writing and clearly state the reasons for the agency, organization, or individual to know.

3. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this Article.

Article 37. Press Conferences

1. State agencies, organizations, Vietnamese citizens, foreign representative offices, and foreign organizations in Vietnam have the right to organize press conferences to provide information to the media in accordance with the regulations of the Government.

2. State management agencies for the press have the right to suspend a press conference if they detect signs of violation of the law or if the content of the press conference includes information specified in Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 of Article 8 of this Law.

Article 38. Advertising on the Media

The media may publish and broadcast advertisements. Publishing and broadcasting advertisements on the media must comply with the provisions of this Law and the regulations of the law on advertising.

Article 39. Copyrights in the Field of the Media

1. Media agencies must implement the provisions of the law on copyrights and related rights when publishing and broadcasting journalistic works.

2. Agencies, organizations, and individuals using journalistic works of media agencies must reach an agreement with the media agency in accordance with the regulations of the law on intellectual property.

3. Media agencies and authors of journalistic works using artificial intelligence systems to support their journalistic activities must comply with the regulations of the law on intellectual property, artificial intelligence, and professional ethics.

4. The Government shall specify detailed responsibilities of media agencies in the use of artificial intelligence systems.

Article 40. Information That Must Be Recorded and Displayed on Media Products

1. Information that must be recorded and displayed on media products:

a) Name of the media agency, name of the supervising agency of the media, and the head of the media agency for print media and electronic media;

b) Theme music and symbols for radio and television;

c) The phrase "magazine" for magazines.

2. The Government shall specify in detail Point a Clause 1 of this Article.

Article 41. Protection of Content of Radio Programs, Television Programs, and Electronic Media Content

Radio, television, and electronic media have the right to use technical measures to protect the content of radio programs, television programs, and electronic media content.

Section 3. PRINTING, DISTRIBUTION AND SUPPLY OF RADIO AND TELEVISION SERVICES

Article 42. Printing of Media

Printing establishments licensed to print newspapers and magazines under the regulations of the law on publication shall be responsible for fulfilling contracts signed with media agencies and ensuring the time of media distribution.

Article 43. Distribution of Media

1. Media agencies may organize the distribution of media or entrust organizations or individuals to distribute media.

2. Supervising agencies of media, media agencies, organizations, and individuals participating in media distribution, organizations permitted to export and import media shall be responsible for implementing decisions to recall printed media products issued by competent state authorities. Media agencies and distribution organizations whose printed media products are recalled shall bear all costs related to the recall.

3. The Minister of Science and Technology shall specify the maximum postal service fee for public interest media distribution services.

Article 44. Supply of Foreign Channels on Pay Television and Radio Services

1. Foreign television companies providing foreign channels in Vietnam that charge royalties for content must go through authorized agents in Vietnam to register for supplying radio and television channel programs and fulfill financial obligations to the Vietnamese State.

2. Conditions, documents, and procedures for requesting registration certificates for supplying foreign radio and television channel programs on pay television and radio services shall be specified by the Government.

Article 45. Provision of Radio and Television Services

1. Entities providing radio and television services must ensure the complete transmission, broadcasting, and delivery of information content from news agencies.

2. Entities providing promotional radio and television services have the responsibility to ensure service provision time, duration, and scope; quality of transmission, broadcasting, and delivery of radio program channels and television program channels serving political tasks and essential national and local information dissemination.

3. Entities providing paid radio and television services must hold a service provision license issued by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism before commencing operations.

4. Principles for providing promotional radio and television services and conditions, application forms, procedures for issuing certificates for receiving foreign television signals directly from satellites, and licenses for providing paid radio and television services shall be stipulated by the Government.

Section 4. EXPORT AND IMPORT OF NEWS MEDIA AND FOREIGN NEWS MEDIA ACTIVITIES IN VIETNAM

Article 46. Export and Import of News Media

1. News media legally published, broadcasted, or printed in Vietnam may be exported abroad. The export can be carried out by news agencies or businesses engaged in import and export activities.

2. The import of printed news media shall be conducted through news agencies and news media distribution service enterprises that have been granted permits.

3. Prior to importing printed news media, news agencies and enterprises importing news media distribution services must register the list of imported printed news media with the People's Committee of the province where their headquarters are located or at the border gate where the printed news media will be imported.

4. The heads of news agencies and enterprises importing news media distribution services must organize pre-release content checks on imported news media and bear legal responsibility for the content they import.

5. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this matter.

Article 47. Activities of Foreign News Agencies, Diplomatic Missions, and Foreign Organizations in Vietnam

1. All news media activities and related activities of foreign news agencies, print media, electronic media, radio, and television; diplomatic missions, consular offices, representative offices of international intergovernmental organizations, and other foreign entities authorized to perform consular functions in Vietnam (collectively referred to as foreign diplomatic missions); and non-governmental organizations and other foreign organizations in Vietnam (collectively referred to as foreign organizations) may only be conducted after obtaining approval from competent Vietnamese authorities and must comply with Vietnamese laws.

2. The Government shall provide detailed regulations for this Article.

Section 5. NEWSLETTERS AND SPECIAL ISSUES

Article 48. Publication of Newsletters

1. Agencies, organizations, enterprises, foreign diplomatic missions, and foreign organizations in Vietnam may publish newsletters to provide information about internal activities, guide business practices, research results, applications, outcomes of seminars, and conferences.

2. The validity period of a newsletter publication permit is specified in each permit but does not exceed one year from the date of issuance.

3. Agencies, organizations, enterprises, foreign diplomatic missions, and foreign organizations in Vietnam publishing newsletters must comply with the retention regulations for newsletters as prescribed by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

4. The publication permit for newsletters of central agencies, organizations, foreign diplomatic missions, and foreign organizations in Vietnam is issued by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The publication permit for newsletters of provincial agencies, organizations, and enterprises is issued by the Provincial People's Committee.

5. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall organize inspections of retained newsletters of central agencies, organizations, foreign diplomatic missions, and foreign organizations in Vietnam. The Provincial People's Committee shall organize inspections of retained newsletters of provincial agencies, organizations, and enterprises.

6. Conditions, application forms, and procedures for applying for a newsletter publication permit are stipulated by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Article 49. Publication of Special Issues

1. Agencies, organizations, enterprises, foreign representative offices, and foreign organizations in Vietnam may publish special issues to provide information according to events or topics.

2. The validity period of the publication permit for special issues shall be specified in each individual permit but shall not exceed 01 year from the date of issuance.

3. Agencies, organizations, enterprises, foreign representative offices, and foreign organizations in Vietnam publishing special issues must comply with the regulations on depositing special issues as stipulated by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

4. The publication permit for special issues of central agencies, foreign representative offices, and foreign organizations in Vietnam shall be issued by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The publication permit for special issues of provincial agencies, organizations, and enterprises shall be issued by the People's Committee of the province.

5. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall organize inspections of deposited special issues of central agencies, foreign representative offices, and foreign organizations in Vietnam. The People's Committee of the province shall organize inspections of deposited special issues of provincial agencies, organizations, and enterprises.

6. Conditions, documents, and procedures for requesting a publication permit for special issues shall be prescribed by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Chapter IV
IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 50. Effective Date

1. This Law shall take effect from July 1, 2026, except for the cases provided for in Clause 2 and Clause 3 of this Article.

2. The provisions at Clause 4 of Article 16 and Clause 4 of Article 28 of this Law shall take effect from January 1, 2026.

3. The provisions regarding the requirement to attend journalism skills and ethics training before being granted a press card for the first time as stipulated at Point c Clause 2 of Article 28 of this Law shall take effect from January 1, 2027.

4. The Press Law No. 103/2016/QH13, which has been amended and supplemented by Laws No. 35/2018/QH14 and No. 93/2025/QH15, shall cease to be effective from the date this Law takes effect, except for the provisions at Article 51 of this Law.

Article 51. Transitional Provisions

News agencies directly affiliated with social organizations and occupational associations that have been granted press operation permits prior to the effective date of this Law shall continue their operations until the expiration of such permits.

This Law was passed by the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the 10th Session of the 15th Term, on December 10, 2025.