Is crypto legal in Vietnam?
Quick answer
Cryptocurrency is legal to own, buy, and trade as an asset in Vietnam. The Law on Digital Technology Industry, in force from 1 January 2026, formally recognises digital assets as property under the Civil Code — the first time Vietnam has afforded crypto this status. However, using crypto as a means of payment remains prohibited by the State Bank of Vietnam, and a proposed Ministry of Finance rule would restrict trading on unlicensed foreign platforms once the domestic licensing regime launches.
The law distinguishes crypto assets from virtual assets, and explicitly excludes securities, stablecoins used as currency, and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) from its scope.
The payment ban is enforced by the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV). Banks cannot process crypto payments, and merchants cannot accept crypto as settlement.
A 5-year domestic exchange licensing pilot (Resolution 05/2025/NQ-CP) is underway. No Vietnamese license has been issued as of mid-2026; the first licensed domestic exchange is targeted for approximately Q3 2026.
The Ministry of Finance is drafting rules to ban Vietnamese citizens from using unlicensed foreign exchanges — Binance, OKX, and Bybit are named in draft language — with fines up to VND 30 million. This is proposed, not yet in force.
Risk warning: cryptocurrency trading is highly volatile and may not be suitable for all investors. Never invest more than you can afford to lose.
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