Responding to practical demands
With the rapid advancement of science, technology, and modern life, cybercrime has evolved from small, scattered hacker groups into organised international networks targeting financial, energy, and security systems worldwide. Cybercrime has thus become a direct threat to national security, sovereignty, and stability—one of the most serious global challenges.
According to the United Nations, millions of cyberattacks occur globally every day. Between 2021 and 2024, East and Southeast Asia experienced a sharp rise in cybercrime, resulting in losses exceeding 37 billion USD.
In Viet Nam, increasingly sophisticated online scams—such as impersonating authorities, stealing accounts, or exploiting personal data—have become common.
A forum on international cooperation in combating online fraud, held within the framework of the opening ceremony for the Signing of the UN Convention against Cybercrime, revealed that Viet Nam now has more than 78.4 million Internet users (about 80% of the population) and 72 million social media users. In 2024 alone, the Ministry of Public Security uncovered over 6,000 online fraud cases with total losses reaching 12 trillion VND (around 456.2 million USD).
Globally, cybercrime causes economic damage worth trillions of USD annually, yet legal frameworks remain inconsistent and cross-border cooperation limited. Recognising this, in 2019, the UN General Assembly launched the process of drafting a comprehensive international convention on countering cybercrime.
The UN Convention against Cybercrime, themed “Countering Cybercrime – Shared Responsibility – Securing our Future”, was officially opened for signature in Ha Noi, attracting representatives from more than 100 countries and around 1,000 delegates and journalists worldwide.
Comprising nine chapters and 71 articles, the Convention establishes the world’s first global legal framework for cooperation against cybercrime, promoting technical assistance and capacity-building for the benefit of the international community. It sends a powerful message of humanity’s determination to fight cybercrime and build a peaceful, just, and law-abiding world.
Vice President of the Viet Nam Association for Legal Dissemination and Consultation Dinh Thai Quang
Viet Nam’s active role in building international law
The UN Convention against Cybercrime, opened for signature in Ha Noi and known as the Ha Noi Convention, symbolises the global recognition of Viet Nam’s active contributions to developing a universal legal framework for combating cybercrime.
Viet Nam not only respects and fully complies with international legal norms but also directly participates in shaping international law and defining common standards and values in the digital era.
Experts note that the UN’s choice of Ha Noi as the host city underscores Viet Nam’s growing role in multilateral diplomacy and affirms its position as a reliable and responsible partner in global cooperation.
For the first time in history, the name of Viet Nam’s capital is associated with a global UN convention—highlighting Ha Noi’s rising stature as the heart of an independent, self-reliant nation confidently engaging in the international community.
According to Tran Anh Tuan, Head of Legal Consultancy and Media Information of the Institute for International Economics and Law, the Ha Noi Convention affirms Viet Nam’s position in this new era, one in which the nation actively contributes to building international law and the shared rules of the digital age—thereby promoting peace, security, and sustainable development.
Lawyer Nguyen Xuan Dung of the Ha Noi Bar Association cautioned that while the adoption of the Ha Noi Convention is a significant success, effective implementation remains a major challenge requiring strong cooperation among nations. He stressed that Viet Nam must continue refining its legal system and enhancing institutional capacity to effectively collaborate with international partners in the fight against cybercrime.
Although much work lies ahead, every Vietnamese citizen has reason to be proud that Ha Noi has been chosen by the United Nations as the starting point of a journey towards a safer, more peaceful, and trustworthy cyberspace. The capital’s association with this global convention also affirms Viet Nam’s enduring commitment to peace, security, and sustainable development—for a secure digital world, true to the spirit that “Viet Nam is a friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of the international community.”
