Hanoi Convention: Vietnam's mark in the fight against cyber security
The Hanoi Convention marks a major step forward for Vietnam on the world cybersecurity map, creating a global legal corridor to help protect people in digital space.
This October, the National Convention Center in Hanoi became the center of the world when the signing ceremony of the Hanoi Convention – the first United Nations document on preventing and combating cybercrime – took place.
Adopted in New York in late 2024, the Hanoi Convention is not only the name of an international treaty, but also a source of pride for Vietnam as it was chosen to open a global legal corridor for cyber security.
The Hanoi Convention* touches every single person – from their phones, to their social media accounts, to their everyday banking transactions. It is a collective effort to stop invisible, cross-border crime that threatens the data, property and privacy of billions of internet users.
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Global legal corridors for the digital age
The three main pillars of the Hanoi Convention
The Hanoi Convention consists of 9 chapters with 71 articles, which were jointly developed by more than 200 countries and territories over a period of 4 years. The content of the Hanoi Convention focuses on three important pillars:
Criminalization of cybercrimes:Member states must implement legislation to address activities such as hacking, data theft, cryptocurrency laundering, malware distribution, and online child exploitation.
Strengthening international cooperation:The Hanoi Convention establishes a mechanism for sharing electronic evidence between countries, helping investigations to be faster and more efficient, especially in cross-border attacks.
Protection of human rights:The Hanoi Convention affirms that the collection and use of data must respect the right to privacy and comply with international human rights law, ensuring a balance between security and individual freedom.
If the Budapest Convention is a regional platform, the Hanoi Convention has opened a global legal framework where every country has a voice and a common responsibility in protecting the cyber world.
Hanoi Convention and Vietnam's new position
Vietnam’s hosting of the signing ceremony of the Hanoi Convention is more than a diplomatic event. It shows that Vietnam is asserting its position in the field of cyber security and international law. From a country that was once a victim of high-tech crime, Vietnam has now become a “rule maker” for the digital world.
Not only does it have legal value, the Hanoi Convention also opens up great opportunities for Vietnam’s digital economy. When the international legal framework is clear and secure, domestic technology, fintech and e-commerce businesses will have an easier time cooperating with global partners. People also benefit directly when personal data, accounts and transactions are protected according to international standards.
Hanoi Convention – A stepping stone to building a safe digital society
To realize the Hanoi Convention, Vietnam needs to domesticate regulations, review the Penal Code, the Law on Cyber Security and the Law on Personal Data Protection. Investigation agencies must improve their digital tracing capacity, and the Procuracy and Courts need to update their electronic evidence handling procedures according to international standards.
This is a long-term process that requires the participation of the entire political system, businesses and people. When every citizen complies with cyber security rules, the Hanoi Convention will fully develop its value – not just a treaty on paper, but a living foundation for a safe and humane digital society.
At the individual level, the Hanoi Convention reminds us that cyber security starts with each individual. One wrong click can open the door to crime. Therefore, self-protection, vigilance and compliance with the law are prerequisites for the Internet to become a healthy space.
Despite the many challenges, the Hanoi Convention sends a strong message: the world will not leave any country or individual alone in the fight against cybercrime. It is a symbol of solidarity, responsibility and trust – core values that Hanoi has contributed to spreading globally.
