At the First Session, the 16th National Assembly passed the Law on Access to Information (amended). This Law takes effect from September 1, 2026.
The Law on Access to Information (amended) consists of 4 Chapters with 31 Articles regulating the implementation of citizens' right to access information; responsibilities of state agencies and public non-business units responsible for providing basic and essential public non-business services in ensuring citizens' right to access information.
Article 25 of this Law clearly stipulates the form of requesting information. In which, the requester can directly or authorize the representative to request information in one of the following forms:
At agencies and units; through postal services; through the Internet, including via email, electronic information portal, electronic information page, data portal, national public service portal, mobile application or other digital platforms announced by competent agencies and units.
People requesting information at the headquarters of agencies and units are allowed to use mobile phones and other personal technical means to copy, photograph, and download documents, records, and materials, unless otherwise provided by relevant laws.
According to the provisions of the law, the requested agency or unit is responsible for providing information in the form that the requester requests in accordance with the nature of the information requested to be provided, the conditions and capabilities of the agency or unit, unless otherwise provided by law.
The law encourages the provision of information in the form of the Internet, including via email, electronic information portals, electronic information pages, data portals...
Article 25 on information access costs clearly states that citizens who are provided with information do not have to pay fees or charges, unless otherwise provided by relevant laws.
The person requesting information is responsible for paying the actual costs for printing, copying, photographing, and sending information.
In case the requesting party provides information that is within the public disclosure period but has not been publicized and the information is being publicized but for force majeure reasons the requesting party cannot access it, the fee is not payable.
