With the aim of introducing, clarifying, and evaluating regulations related to personal data protection in the digital environment as well as enhancing the relationship between the French Embassy and Ho Chi Minh City University of Law, and fostering cooperation in the legal field, especially in the context of commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and France (1973-2023), on May 25, 2023, Ho Chi Minh City University of Law, in collaboration with the French Embassy, organized the International Conference "Personal Data Protection in the Digital Environment".
The conference was attended by over 160 delegates, including more than 70 invitees from various agencies and entities such as the People's Courts of Ho Chi Minh City; arbitrators, lawyers, legal experts from arbitration centers, law firms, businesses, lecturers from universities in Ho Chi Minh City, as well as lecturers, researchers, postgraduate students, and undergraduates from Ho Chi Minh City University of Law. Representatives from the French diplomatic mission in Vietnam and experts from France were also present, sharing rich experiences in European law on personal data protection in the digital environment: Ms. Emmanuelle Pavillon-Grosser - Consul General of France in Ho Chi Minh City; Mr. Béla Hégédus - Deputy Head of Cooperation and Cultural Activities, French Embassy in Vietnam; Ms. Inès Saad - Officer in charge of legal cooperation, French Embassy in Vietnam; Lawyer Isabelle Grenier - Member of the Digital Committee, National Bar Council (CNB); Mr. Thomas Honnet - Data Protection Officer in Marseille; Mr. Francis Mordelet - PhD Candidate, Paris Saclay University; Mr. Bruno Sivanandan - Chairman of the Digital Committee, European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham); Prof. Thibault Douville - Director of the Master's program in Digital Law, University of Caen, member of the Henri Capitant Association; Mr. Thomas Bizet - Head of Public Relations Department, National Commission on Informatics and Liberties (CNIL).
Overview of the International Workshop "Protecting Personal Data in the Digital Environment" live at meeting room A.1002, Nguyễn Tất Thành campus.
Opening the conference, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Xuan Hai - Vice Rector of Ho Chi Minh City University of Law, expressed gratitude for the enthusiastic cooperation of the French Embassy and highlighted the importance of protecting personal data in the current digital environment. From the French side, Ms. Emmanuelle Pavillon-Grosser - Consul General of France in Ho Chi Minh City, joyfully shared that this conference holds special significance on the occasion of commemorating 50 years of diplomatic relations, 10 years of signing strategic partnership agreements, and 30 years of legal connection between France and Vietnam.
Associate Professor Dr. Bui Xuan Hai – Vice Rector of the University of Law, Ho Chi Minh City emphasized the importance of protecting personal data in today’s digital environment.
Mrs. Emmanuelle Pavillon-Grosser – Consul General of France in Ho Chi Minh City, gave a speech at the workshop.
The conference received considerable attention and active contributions of expertise from a wide range of scholars and specialists from related fields. It was organized into 2 sessions with 12 presentations revolving around the analysis of key new points in the Decree on Personal Data Protection that was recently issued, as well as the issue of personal data protection in civil, administrative, and criminal domains. Under the coordination of Prof. Dr. Đỗ Văn Đại (Ho Chi Minh City University of Law, Head of the Henri Capitant Vietnam group), Dr. Phùng Văn Hải (Deputy Chief Judge of the People's Court of Ho Chi Minh City), and Mr. Béla Hégédus (Deputy Head of Cooperation and Cultural Affairs, Embassy of France in Vietnam), the conference discussed legal issues regarding personal data protection in Vietnam and the European Union.
Professor Dr. Do Van Dai (University of Law, Ho Chi Minh City, Head of the Henri Capitant Vietnam group) chaired the workshop.
The presentations at the conference focused on various topics, including: Fundamental new points in the Decree on Personal Data Protection; The role of lawyers in personal data protection issues; The role of data protection officers at the local level; Regulations on the transfer of personal data outside of Europe; Personal data protection in the digital environment through criminal law regulations on crimes in the fields of information technology and telecommunications; Digital regulations: significance and prospects for companies operating in Vietnam and Europe; Platforms and personal data, and many other presentations.
Decree No. 13/2023/NĐ-CP issued on April 17, 2023, demonstrates the attention of the state and society to the issue of personal data protection. The conference also discussed that the recognition of rights regarding personal data currently only stops at the Decree level - documents issued by the Government rather than at the law level (documents issued by the National Assembly), which may pose difficulties in handling violations.
The presentations at the workshop focused on topics related to the issue of protecting personal data in the digital environment.
The papers presented at the workshop focused on topics surrounding the issue of protecting personal data in the digital environment.
The two working sessions of the conference took place in a lively atmosphere with many practical and useful scientific proposals and contributions, addressing both theoretical and practical aspects of legal application. These contributions have actively contributed to the improvement of the legal framework for personal data protection in the digital environment as well as the enforcement of the provisions of Decree No. 13/2023/NĐ-CP in the near future.
The workshop attracted the participation of many experts from both inside and outside the University.
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