The regulatory mechanism for gatekeepers in the digital market under EU law and implications for Vietnam

In the context of the rapidly evolving digital economy, large-scale digital platforms not only serve as essential intermediaries in promoting sustainable digital growth but also present potential risks of abuse of dominance, leading to anticompetitive practices and challenges for smaller businesses and consumers. In response to these concerns, the European Union (EU) enacted and implemented the Digital Markets Act (DMA) to regulate and curb the excessive power of such digital platforms. This article aims to examine the global concept of gatekeepers in the digital market, and to analyze the EU's regulatory framework under the DMA – particularly the criteria for identifying gatekeepers and the obligations imposed on them. Based on this analysis, the article seeks to provide policy suggestions for Vietnam in developing an appropriate gatekeeper's regulation mechanism. The research adopts doctrinal legal analysis and comparative legal methods, supported by supplementary approaches. By exploring the legal foundations and regulatory mechanisms established under the DMA, the article offers a legal and policy orientation for Vietnam on designing a gatekeeper control regime suited to its domestic economic and social context, thereby promoting fair competition and safeguarding consumer interests.