Vietnam to Amend Publishing Law, Accelerating Legal Framework for Digital Publishing

Vietnam's National Assembly Standing Committee, during its 45th session on July 15, exchanged views on the draft amendments to certain articles of the Publishing Law. The discussions particularly highlighted the lag in legal frameworks for the rapidly expanding digital publishing sector, recognizing the urgent need to build a "digital shield" to strengthen copyright protection and effectively combat piracy. During the meeting, it was shared that despite the publishing industry achieving revenues exceeding VND 4.1 trillion (approximately USD 160 million) in 2023, it continues to be affected by pirated books. In light of this situation, the importance of building a substantive publishing ecosystem adapted to the digital era and ensuring that "Book Day" transcends temporary movements was emphasized. In Vietnam, digitalization has advanced rapidly in recent years, and the publishing industry is no exception. However, existing legal regulations have not been able to adequately keep pace with these changes. Specifically, the ambiguity in rules concerning copyright protection and distribution of digital content is seen as a factor that exacerbates the spread of piracy. This amendment to the Publishing Law aims to address these challenges and promote the healthy development of the digital publishing market. Under Vietnam's single-party system, media and publications are strictly controlled. Simultaneously, the country is focusing on digital transformation and fostering new industries to achieve economic growth and enhance international competitiveness. The amendment of the Publishing Law, as part of this national strategy, underscores the modern challenges Vietnam faces in legally safeguarding aspects like social impact and copyright protection while promoting innovation.