National Assembly officially adopts the Law on Countering the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

On the afternoon of 23 August 2026, at the First Extraordinary Session of the 16th National Assembly, the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam officially voted to adopt the Law on Countering the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, with 473 of the 474 deputies taking part in the vote voting in favour, accounting for 94.60% of the total number of National Assembly deputies. This is an important milestone in the process of perfecting Vietnam's legal system on countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

The National Assembly votes to adopt the Law on Countering the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

Before the National Assembly proceeded to the vote, on behalf of the Government and the agency leading the drafting, General Phan Van Giang, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, presented the Report on the reception, explanation and revision of the draft Law. Accordingly, the draft Law had been reviewed and finalised to clarify its scope of regulation, subjects of application and implementing principles, ensuring constitutionality, the consistency of the legal system, compatibility with the international treaties to which Vietnam is a party and conformity with practical requirements.

General Phan Van Giang, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, presents the Report on the explanation, reception and revision of the draft Law

The Law on Countering the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction consists of 4 chapters and 36 articles, covering general provisions, management and control measures, implementation mechanisms and implementing provisions. The provisions on the management and control of proliferation and proliferation financing of weapons of mass destruction follow a risk-based management approach; they clearly define the grounds, competence and responsibilities of agencies, organisations and individuals, while strengthening inter-agency coordination and the sharing of information and data in the course of implementation. The Law takes effect on 1 July 2027.

Throughout the development and finalisation of the draft Law, the Chemical Corps, in its role as the Standing Office of the National Focal Point of Vietnam for countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, actively advised on the development of the technical content, played a core role and proactively conducted research and made proposals, while coordinating closely with the Legal Department of the Ministry of National Defence – the agency leading the drafting – and the relevant agencies, ministries and sectors throughout the process.

This is Vietnam's first law to comprehensively codify the general rules of conduct in the field of countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; it institutionalises the Party's guidelines and policies and meets the requirements for implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 and the international treaties to which Vietnam is a party.

The adoption of the Law by the National Assembly affirms the determination of the Party, the State and the Vietnam People's Army to perfect institutions and enhance the effectiveness of countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, contributing to firmly safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and security, protecting the Fatherland early and from afar, and enhancing Vietnam's position and prestige in the international arena.

Vu Thu Ha - Centre 81