I. Legal basis

• Law on High Technologies 2025
• Law on High Technologies 2008

II. Increasing incentive levels for high-tech research and strategic technology activities

Previously, pursuant to Clause 1, Article 12 of the Law on High Technology 2008 (Law No. 21/2008/QH12) regarding measures to promote high-technology research and development, the following provisions were stipulated:

– Organizations and individuals engaged in high-technology research and development shall be entitled to incentives and support as follows:

• Entitlement to the highest level of incentives in accordance with the provisions of the laws on corporate income tax, value-added tax, export duties, and import duties.
• Eligibility for partial or full cost support from the budget of the National High-Technology Development Program in cases of self-investment in high-technology research and development that yields application results with significant socio-economic, national defense, security, or environmental efficacy.
• Granting of sponsorships and support from funds and other financial resources dedicated to high-technology research and development, human resource training, and technology transfer.

Under new regulations, pursuant to Clause 3 and Clause 5, Article 11 of the Law on High Technology 2025 (Law No. 133/2025/QH15) regarding high-technology research and development, the following provisions are stipulated:

– Organizations and individuals performing high-technology research and development activities shall be entitled to preferential policies and support in accordance with the laws on science, technology, and innovation, as well as the following preferential policies and support:

• Priority consideration for sponsorship and financial support from high-technology science, technology, and innovation programs, as well as from funds established under the laws on science, technology, and innovation.
• Entitlement to the highest level of tax incentives in accordance with the provisions of the laws on personal income tax, corporate income tax, export duties, and import duties.
• Provision of support for training to enhance high-technology research and development capacity.
• Support for the protection, exploitation, and commercialization of intellectual property rights associated with high technology.
• Eligibility for financial support toward investment, operation, or the leasing of shared laboratories and high-technology research facilities in accordance with the provisions of the laws on science, technology, and innovation.
• The determination of taxable corporate income regarding expenditures for sponsorship and high-technology research and development activities shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of the law on corporate income tax.

– High-technology research and development centers shall be eligible for the highest level of incentives and support in accordance with the laws on investment, taxation, land, and other relevant legislation, provided they satisfy the criteria for research and development centers as prescribed by the laws on science, technology, and innovation, as well as the following criteria:

• Technologies and products researched and developed at the center must fall within the List of High Technologies Prioritized for Investment and Development and the List of High-Technology Products Encouraged for Development;
• Criteria regarding high-quality human resources; the ratio of expenditures for research and development activities; and infrastructure, technical facilities, and quality management systems in accordance with National Technical Regulations. In cases where Vietnamese standards or technical regulations have not yet been established, applicable regional or foreign standards consistent with the specific field of operation shall apply;
• Compliance with regulations on national defense, security, and environmental protection.

Thus, regarding research and development policies, the new Law increases the level of incentives dedicated to high-technology and strategic technology research activities. The new Law stipulates that high-technology and strategic technology research centers shall be entitled to the highest level of incentives concerning investment, taxation, and land, provided they satisfy the criteria for human resources and R&D capacity.

In comparison with the predecessor legislation, the policies pertaining to research are more detailed, encompassing support for shared laboratories, tax incentives for individuals engaged in R&D, and a mechanism for determining deductible expenses, rather than merely providing general provisions on incentives as in the previous law, which resulted in implementation difficulties.

Furthermore, pursuant to Clause 3, Article 19 of the Law on High Technology 2025 (Law No. 133/2025/QH15), the promotion of the transfer and commercialization of strategic technologies and strategic high-technology products is stipulated as follows:

• The State encourages organizations and individuals in Vietnam to conduct mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and partnerships with foreign enterprises possessing core or strategic technologies in accordance with the provisions of the law.
• Such activities shall be entitled to support policies regarding technology appraisal, legal consultancy, and tax incentives applicable to the value of the acquired technology as prescribed by the Government.

III. Promoting the transfer and commercialization of strategic technologies

Alongside research policies, the Law on High Technology 2025 emphasizes the encouragement of core and strategic technology transfers. Pursuant to Clause 3, Article 19, the State encourages organizations and individuals in Vietnam to engage in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and partnerships with foreign enterprises possessing core or strategic technologies in accordance with the provisions of the law. These activities shall be entitled to specific support policies:

• Support for technology appraisal.
• Legal consultancy.
• Tax incentives applicable to the value of the acquired technology in accordance with the regulations of the Government.

This is regarded as a shift from an incentive-based orientation to a clear commitment to promoting in-depth technology transfer, thereby enabling Vietnamese enterprises to access core technologies, enhance their capacity for self-reliance, and increase their level of participation in global value chains. Concurrently, the integration of a risk-acceptance mechanism in research and development activities with a phased system of incentives contributes to strengthening the drivers for long-term investment decisions in priority sectors.

IV. Conclusion

The enhancement of incentive levels, the refinement of support mechanisms, and the orientation toward priority technologies under the High Technology Law 2025 are expected to contribute to attracting investment, promoting innovation, and strengthening national competitiveness. Enterprises, organizations, and individuals operating in this sector are advised to proactively review applicable conditions and prepare the necessary documentation in order to timely avail themselves of the policies taking effect from 1 July 2026.

VI. About Us, Hankuk Law Firm

■ Hankuk Law Firm – Introduction

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