ABLI holding in-person workshop in Hanoi, Vietnam

Following endorsement of its ASEAN Framework on Cross-border Cloud Computing project at the sixth ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting in January 2026, ABLI has been intensifying efforts to advocate for the implementation of the recommendations in the endorsed project, including the concept of Trusted Data Corridor (TDC).

With support from the Singapore Mission to Vietnam, ABLI held an invite-only workshop to discuss trusted cross-border data flows and interoperability in ASEAN at the Vietnam-Singapore Cooperation Center in Hanoi, Vietnam on June 24. The event was graced by His Excellency Rajpal Singh, Singapore Ambassador to Vietnam who gave the welcome remarks, which was followed by a high-level overview by Yeong Zee Kin, Chief Executive of Singapore Academy of Law, ABLI’s parent organization. The overview set the scene for two technical presentations thereafter, one by ABLI on the TDC and the other by a representative from the Infocomm Media Development Authority on other ASEAN-endorsed mechanisms for transferring data across borders, such as the ASEAN Data Management Framework, ASEAN Model Contractual Clauses and the Global Cross-Border Privacy Rules.

The speakers then had an open exchange with attendees and fielded questions from local and foreign lawyers practicing in Vietnam, think tank representatives and business leaders. Discussions revolved around what more can be done to push forward the implementation of the TDC, views on Vietnam-specific regulations (such as those on localization), how to provide businesses with more practical guidance to navigate differing data-related rules in the region, etc.

ABLI is grateful for the support of the Singapore Mission, and is heartened by the strong and lively participation from the attendees. We look forward to more such opportunities in the future.