Vietnam Deploys NDAChain: A Leap into the Future of Blockchain
Vietnam has officially launched NDAChain, a government-backed blockchain platform aimed at securing citizen data and modernizing digital services across the nation. Announced on July 25, 2025, this initiative marks Vietnam as one of over 50 countries that are building national blockchain infrastructures, focusing on securing identity systems and enhancing data governance.
Addressing Centralized Data Vulnerabilities
The advent of NDAChain is a response to critical vulnerabilities in centralized data systems, such as risks associated with cyberattacks, scalability challenges, and limited global integration. By serving as a protective layer, NDAChain addresses these issues across key sectors like government, finance, healthcare, logistics, and education.
How NDAChain Works
Operating as a Layer 1 permissioned blockchain, NDAChain employs a hybrid model that integrates government control with private sector participation. It runs on 49 validator nodes managed by state agencies and major corporations, including SunGroup, Zalo, and Masan. This collaboration ensures robust oversight while fostering innovation.
NDAChain utilizes a Proof-of-Authority consensus mechanism augmented with Zero-Knowledge Proofs for heightened security. Capable of processing between 1,200 and 3,600 transactions per second, the platform boasts a latency of just 0.5 seconds. Each validator node maintains a distributed ledger for transaction records and includes smart contracts for automated processes, alongside identity verification modules connected to Vietnam’s national ID system (VNeID). Notably, the blockchain adheres to international standards, including W3C Decentralized Identifiers and GDPR compliance.
Nguyen Huy, head of technology at the National Data Association, emphasizes that NDAChain will be “critical” to Vietnam’s digital society and economy, serving as a robust safeguard for live data.
Digital Identity and Product Tracking
At the heart of NDAChain are two key applications: NDA DID for digital identity verification and NDATrace for product authentication.
NDA DID enables citizens to verify identities in online transactions, during service access, and for digital contract signing. With the NDAKey mobile app, users can confirm identities almost instantaneously, effectively reducing the risks of scams and fraudulent accounts.
Meanwhile, NDATrace assigns unique digital IDs to products, complying with international GS1 standards and working in alignment with the EU’s EBSI system. This initiative positions Vietnamese businesses within the global supply chain and provides customers with confidence in product authenticity. Each item will have a verifiable digital passport that tracks its journey from production to consumer.
The system also embeds verifiable credentials into packaging via QR codes or RFID chips, enhancing transparency, combating counterfeiting, and fostering trust in Vietnamese goods on the international stage.
Strategic Foundation and Regulatory Support
The deployment of NDAChain builds upon Vietnam’s National Blockchain Strategy, established through Decision No. 1236 in October 2024. This strategy aims to mold Vietnam into a regional blockchain leader by 2030.
The Vietnamese government has plans to develop 20 prominent blockchain brands and establish at least three blockchain testing centers in major cities while aiming to secure a top-10 position among Asian blockchain research institutions. With over 20 million cryptocurrency holders, making up 20% of the population, Vietnam ranks fifth globally in cryptocurrency adoption.
This strategic initiative emphasizes the development of “Make in Vietnam” blockchain platforms to bolster domestic technological capabilities, aligning closely with the Digital Technology Industry Law that prioritizes local digital products and infrastructure.
NDAChain addresses the pressing need for data sovereignty, managing information for over 100 million individuals across thousands of agencies and organizations. Traditional systems present challenges related to security, interoperability, scalability, and international integration.
Implementation Timeline and Future Development
Looking ahead, NDAChain is set to be fully integrated into the National Data Center by the end of 2025. The platform’s reach will expand into local governments and universities throughout 2026.
Subsequent phases will focus on workforce development, international collaboration, and the design of Layer 2 applications for various sectors. The platform’s open architecture invites startups and technology firms to develop innovative digital services, including identity wallets, anti-counterfeit solutions, and digital notarization tools.
The Ministry of Public Security’s Data Innovation and Exploitation Center will govern the platform under strategic oversight from the National Data Association, ensuring a balance of innovation and governance.
Global Context and Unique Approach
Vietnam joins a cohort of countries, including China and members of the European Union, that are deploying national blockchain platforms. While China’s BSN operates within a strictly centralized framework, and the EU’s EBSI concentrates on regulatory harmonization, Vietnam’s hybrid model distinguishes itself by blending public-private collaboration with adherence to international standards.
This cohesive approach reflects Vietnam’s long-term vision for comprehensive data infrastructure and economic development. By integrating with existing national systems like VNeID, Vietnam illustrates a commitment to practical, rather than experimental, blockchain applications.
The Road Ahead
NDAChain exemplifies Vietnam’s proactive stance on blockchain adoption, focusing on security, interoperability, and tangible applications. The platform lays a strong foundation for modernizing government services while safeguarding citizen privacy and fostering innovation in business sectors.
As NDAChain expands into local governance and academic institutions in the coming years, it aims to demonstrate the potential for national blockchain platforms to enhance digital governance through improved security, transparency, and efficiency.