100,000 cyber attacks in Vietnam by 2024 and the significance of the Hanoi Convention

In 2024, Vietnam recorded more than 100,000 cyber attacks - a non-traditional security challenge that many countries are facing, leading to consensus on the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime.

Major General Le Xuan Minh, Director of Department A05 of the Ministry of Public Security , answered at the press conference on October 8 - Photo: Ministry of Public Security

On October 8, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security jointly held an international press conference on the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi (referred to as the Hanoi Convention).

Cybercrime is becoming more complex, requiring international cooperation

At a press conference, answering Tuoi Tre Online , Major General Le Xuan Minh, Director of the Department of Cyber ​​Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention (A05) - Ministry of Public Security, said that cybercrime in Vietnam in recent times has become complicated in terms of scale, nature, and level of influence.

"In the past year, it is estimated that there were more than 100,000 incidents related to cybercrimes and cyber incidents," Mr. Minh stated, adding that cybercrime groups are gradually shifting from small, simple attacks to highly organized, international attacks.

Along with that, these groups increasingly target key systems of countries and businesses with large roles and positions in the economy .

Prominent among these is the type of cyber fraud that is collusion and inter-related between countries, raising concerns and having a great impact on countries around the world.

Regarding Vietnam, Director of Department A05 said that the Ministry of Public Security has taken many measures and carried out many coordination and cooperation activities with the police and law enforcement agencies of other countries to join hands in fighting these types of crimes.

The signing of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi, according to Mr. Minh, will create a new legal corridor and a new legal framework for countries around the world to join hands to fight cybercrime. This is also a framework for parties to share information and signs of crimes as well as investigate, handle and extradite.

"We always want to build a cyberspace so that countries around the world can use cyberspace to serve the common purposes of peace and development," Major General Le Xuan Minh affirmed.

Many domestic and international reporters and representatives of foreign embassies in Vietnam attended the press conference - Photo: NGUYEN HONG

When asked about the signing and ratification of the Hanoi Convention, Mr. Minh said that in order to quickly implement it, the Ministry of Public Security is reviewing the entire legal system to ensure compliance with domestic law and the convention. This includes amending the Law on Cyber ​​Security, awaiting approval by the National Assembly in October.

At the same time, Vietnam will improve its criminal procedure law to implement the provisions of the convention on information exchange, data transfer, extradition of criminals and asset recovery.

In addition, Vietnam will also complete guidance documents to ensure that functional forces have a basis for effective coordination with foreign law enforcement agencies, especially the operation of the 24/7 coordination mechanism as required by the convention.

The Hanoi Convention contributes to enhancing Vietnam's position.

Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang speaks at the press conference - Photo: NGUYEN HONG

Also at the press conference, Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang highlighted the significance of the Hanoi Convention and the fact that a United Nations convention is associated with the name of Vietnam's capital.

Mr. Giang, who served as Head of the Vietnamese Mission to the United Nations during the Hanoi Convention negotiations, said the idea for the convention was initiated in 2019.

Vietnam is one of the leading countries promoting the official launch of negotiations. After 30 months of negotiations, from February 2022 to August 2024, the United Nations General Assembly officially agreed to adopt the convention on December 24, 2024, and chose Hanoi as the venue for the signing ceremony.

This is the first time a Vietnamese place name has been associated with a multilateral convention on a field that has received the attention of most countries in the world.

"The fact that the place name Hanoi is recorded in the text of the convention reflects the international community's recognition of Vietnam's contributions in drafting this document, as well as its participation in developing international legal norms.

This is of utmost importance, contributing to affirming Vietnam's role and position in international organizations, multilateral forums and elevating multilateral diplomacy in the coming time," Mr. Giang emphasized.

When asked about Vietnam's contributions to the convention negotiations, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs said that we have made many important contributions to the contents of the convention and have been welcomed by the international community.

Specifically, Vietnam has actively proposed many basic principles such as ensuring national sovereignty in cyberspace, international cooperation and taking into account the capacity and circumstances of each country, which have been supported by the international community.

In addition, Vietnam also takes on the role of coordinator and chair of negotiations on a number of important provisions of the convention, thereby demonstrating its role as an active and responsible member of the international community.

Nearly 100 countries registered to attend the signing ceremony.

Also at the press conference, Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang said that as of October 6, nearly 100 countries and more than 100 international and regional organizations had registered to attend the event from October 25 to 26.

The program is expected to include the opening and closing sessions, the signing ceremony and the summit, including 1 plenary discussion session, 1 signing session, 4 high-level discussion sessions and 4 roundtable sessions...

Appreciating the significance of the Hanoi Convention for Vietnam and the United Nations, President Luong Cuong and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres are expected to deliver important speeches at the opening session.

DUY LINH

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/100-000-vu-tan-cong-mang-tai-viet-nam-nam-2024-va-y-nghia-cua-cong-uoc-ha-noi-20251008214540926.htm