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.
According to this Law, many citizens' information is not accessible. That is information belonging to state secrets according to the provisions of the law on protection of state secrets. When information belonging to state secrets is declassified, citizens are entitled to access according to the provisions of this Law.
Or information about private life, personal secrets, family secrets according to the provisions of civil law and personal data according to the provisions of law on personal data protection. Except in cases where that person agrees or in cases where family members agree.
In addition, information on business secrets is in accordance with the law on intellectual property, unless the owner of that business secret agrees.
In addition, information that citizens are not allowed to access, if provided, will cause harm to the interests of the State, affect national defense, national security, foreign affairs, social order and safety, social ethics, community health, and cause harm to the lives, health, legitimate rights and interests or property of others.
The determination of the above information shall be carried out in accordance with relevant legal regulations. In cases where the law has not yet stipulated, based on practical conditions, the head of the agency or unit is responsible for considering and deciding on the provision of information.
Information belonging to work secrets is determined by agencies and units according to the provisions of law. Information about internal meetings of agencies and units; documents drafted by agencies and units for internal affairs.
