{"id":1249,"date":"2026-05-26T08:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T07:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/hasspgrblog\/?p=1249"},"modified":"2026-05-26T08:43:42","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T07:43:42","slug":"data-across-borders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/hasspgrblog\/2026\/05\/26\/data-across-borders\/","title":{"rendered":"Data across borders in a global digital economy: spotlight on Vietnam"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Vy, your research looks at the governance of free trade agreements, focusing on the position of Vietnam. Can you give us a brief, non-specialist introduction to your project?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My research examines how states are currently locked in a global \u201ctug-of-war\u201d over how data moves across borders. While we often think of the internet as a borderless space, governments are increasingly asserting \u201cdata sovereignty\u201d, which consequently makes it much harder and more expensive for data-intensive\/digital services to trade and operate internationally. For example, an AI-driven medical app might be blocked from analysing patient data and providing customised consulting services if a country’s laws prohibit sending that data to an international research hub for processing. Even when a company complies by storing data locally, the costs are high because it must invest in building infrastructure in every country that imposes a similar requirement. Besides, nations are increasingly pursuing different (often conflicting) models of data governance, leading to a situation in which a digital service must now navigate a \u201cregulatory maze\u201d and adapt its operations to meet different legal standards depending on which border the data crosses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My research focuses on Vietnam, which is caught between competing data governance standards set by global trade powers, with the aim of revealing the difficult trade-offs a developing nation faces as it integrates into the global digital economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why do you think this is an important time for this work?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It feels like a particularly important moment because we are witnessing a shift in how trade agreements operate in the absence of multilateral clarity from the World Trade Organisation\u2019s framework. They are no longer just about tariffs and market access, but increasingly about rules, standards, and regulatory alignment across emerging areas in this digital era, such as data and AI. For Vietnam, this coincides with the country\u2019s rapid digital transformation and deeper integration into global supply chains. Since 2023, there has been the culmination of an intensive period of legal activity designed to close the gap between innovation and oversight. Recently, by enacting the standalone Law on Personal Data in 2025 after 10 years of treating privacy under the general framework of civil law, and by becoming the first ASEAN member to institutionalise AI governance through binding legislation, Vietnam is balancing the pursuit of economic modernisation with a sophisticated framework for national sovereignty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In December 2025, Vietnam\u2019s National Data Association and leading UK academic institutions collaborated on data economy development research. This is an example of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee<\/em> and Vietnam’s President To Lam\u2019s vision of \u201cInstitutional and legal breakthroughs for the nation’s rising\u201d (\u0110\u1ed9t ph\u00e1 th\u1ec3 ch\u1ebf, ph\u00e1p lu\u1eadt \u0111\u1ec3 \u0111\u1ea5t n\u01b0\u1edbc v\u01b0\u01a1n m\u00ecnh<\/em>). However, Vietnam\u2019s position amid competing data governance models illustrates the structural dilemma facing developing countries in the digital economy, which demonstrates the significance of my research in this field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You began your PhD at the start of this year – welcome! What are your early impressions of campus life?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is really wonderful to be here! My first impression of the University of Exeter is the lush, green campus and the beautifully preserved parkland. To me, the environment signals a deep commitment to well-being and a harmony between human life and nature, creating an incredibly inspiring research atmosphere. Beyond the scenery, the transition into academic life has been seamless. I was warmly welcomed by my supervisors, Professor Umut Turksen and Dr Amy Man, on my very first day at the university, as well as by other faculty members, such as Dr Isabelle Rueda, who kindly introduced me to and included me in two legal research centres that align perfectly with my interests. These centres have provided fantastic opportunities for high-level academic discussion right from the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am also impressed by how resourceful the university is with a variety of workshops, ranging from mental well-being to personalised 1:1 academic writing support, which have been invaluable for navigating the early stages of my doctoral journey. Besides, I was quickly embraced by the PGR community during the faculty-organised coffee mornings and in the friendly atmosphere of the study room. Other PGR students proactively approached each other to share their experiences. I deeply appreciate that our conversations are not just about how to \u201csurvive\u201d the programme, but how to truly \u201clive\u201d the PhD life to its fullest. As my peers come from so many different parts of the world, this incredible diversity has widened my horizons even further, turning every discussion among us into an opportunity to see the world and the legal system from new perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you have a favourite place in Exeter so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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So far, my favourite spots are the park right beside the Law School and the green field in front of the Exeter Cathedral. There is something incredibly special about sitting there with a book and a cup of coffee in such a peaceful atmosphere. The air is so fresh, which is an experience I never quite had in the hustle and bustle of my hometown. Spending time in these spaces has actually made me think a lot about sustainable development in the era of global economic transition and digital expansion. Development is normally measured by physical infrastructure and industrial output, amongst other factors. But these peaceful spots in Exeter are a reminder that the goal should always be to find harmony between progress and protection. Seeing how the city preserves these green havens really highlights the importance of harmonising human progress with nature. It\u2019s the perfect setting to reflect on my research while enjoying a moment of quiet.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

It is brilliant to see perspectives from Vietnam represented in the postgraduate research community. What would you say to future students from your country who are considering this path?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I spent my entire bachelor\u2019s and master\u2019s degrees in Vietnam with some international exchange activities and have been a lecturer in international law for ten years. Pursuing formal higher education here has given me a completely fresh perspective. It is not just a continuation of my studies, but a brand-new chapter that challenges me to rethink what I have already known. I would encourage future students to widen their horizons and take the leap: placing their perspective in a global context and engaging with world-class resources. At the same time, I would say be prepared for the challenges of independent research. Trust that your perspective is not only valid but also needed to shape more inclusive scholarship, where the voices of developing countries can be heard, nurtured, and empowered within a robust academic environment. It is exactly where your most significant academic and personal growth begins!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
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\n

Nguyen Thao<\/strong> Vy Ngo <\/strong>is a PhD student at the University of Exeter Law School and Managing Editor of the Vietnamese Journal of Legal Sciences of Ho Chi Minh City University of Law (Vietnam). She is a legal scholar specialising in international economic law, personal data protection, artificial intelligence governance and ethics. Her work has been published in prestigious international journals and book series, and presented at many leading academic forums, including those held by the University of Oxford, the National University of Singapore, and the Cambridge Forum on AI. Beyond academia, she actively contributes to policy discussions as an invited expert by the Vietnamese Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, positioning her research at the forefront of debates on law, trade, and technology.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Vy, your research looks at the governance of free trade agreements, focusing on the position of Vietnam. 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