Affirming Vietnam's mettle and aspirations in the digital age

The United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, also known as the Hanoi Convention, not only marks a historic milestone in the process of promoting international cooperation to build a safe cyberspace, but also symbolizes Vietnam's mettle, intelligence, aspiration and responsibility to contribute to the global common good.

Hanoi will host the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime from October 25 to 26, 2025. (Screenshot: TRUNG HUNG)

The fact that the name of an important international convention is associated with the capital city of Hanoi demonstrates the international community's trust and appreciation for Vietnam's growing position and prestige.

Consensus and solidarity

According to the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025, the total loss caused by online fraud globally has reached trillions of USD in the past year, with some countries suffering losses of up to more than 3% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In addition to the heavy financial losses, cyber insecurity also threatens the security of countries, damaging public confidence in the digital transformation process.

Given the seriousness of this type of crime, many countries around the world have recently implemented tough measures with the goal of building a safe and healthy cyberspace. However, due to its borderless nature, cybercrime is not a problem that countries can solve alone. Taking advantage of gaps in jurisdiction between countries, hacker groups continue to target victims in many different countries. Therefore, international cooperation has become an extremely urgent requirement.

In 2019, the negotiation process on an international legal document on combating cybercrime was launched. With the tireless efforts of the international community, on December 24, 2024, the United Nations General Assembly officially adopted the full text of the Convention, as well as agreed to hold the signing ceremony of the Convention in Hanoi in 2025. This is the first global legal document on combating cybercrime to be adopted within the framework of the United Nations in more than two decades.

Born in the context of cybercrime threatening to hinder efforts to build a safe and sustainable world, the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime will become an important legal tool for the international community to unite and build a “steel shield” to protect humanity against threats in cyberspace. The Convention also lays the foundation for future frameworks on digital governance, artificial intelligence and online safety.

Going beyond its mere legal value, the Hanoi Convention is also a symbol of the shared vision and aspiration of Vietnam and the international community in building a safe, fair, clean and healthy digital space that truly serves human interests. With this Convention, Vietnam becomes a meeting point for the international community, a place where all parties agree to contribute to the fight on the “silent” front to repel cybercrime.

Victory of multilateral diplomacy

According to Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang, Vietnam's successful campaign to have the United Nations General Assembly choose Hanoi as the venue for the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime and for this important document to be named the Hanoi Convention is an important milestone in our country's multilateral diplomacy. Vietnam affirms to the international community its role as a reliable partner, with strong efforts and commitments in promoting multilateral cooperation.

In the context of the world having many differences in viewpoints on the issue of cyber security, and fierce geopolitical competition among countries, Vietnam's leading role in the negotiation process of the Hanoi Convention is a testament to Vietnam's multilateral diplomatic mettle. The "Vietnamese bamboo" diplomatic policy, flexible and agile but still very steadfast and determined, has been clearly demonstrated, both helping to protect national interests and contributing to global common interests.

Ms. Pauline Tamesis, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Viet Nam, shared that Vietnam’s hosting of this milestone event reflects the country’s leadership, strategic vision and steadfast commitment to multilateralism, with the United Nations at its core. This event sends a strong message to the world that Vietnam is not only a responsible member of the international community, but also an emerging country with a leading role in addressing the most pressing challenges of our time.

Vietnam’s hosting of this landmark event reflects its leadership, strategic vision and unwavering commitment to multilateralism, with the United Nations at its core. It sends a strong message to the world that Vietnam is not only a responsible member of the international community, but also an emerging nation with a leading role in addressing the most pressing challenges of our time.

Ms. Pauline Tamesis, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam

The UN representative also expressed his hope that Vietnam would continue to demonstrate its leading role in international cooperation, proactively share experiences and promote innovation in the fight against cybercrime. Meanwhile, Mr. Artur Liukmanov, Director of the Department of International Information Security under the Russian Foreign Ministry, said that Vietnam completely deserves the honor of being chosen as the venue for the first UN Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Cybercrime in more than 20 years.

With the signing of the Hanoi Convention, a new chapter in international cooperation in preventing and combating global cybercrime has been opened. From Hanoi, the message of solidarity and consensus towards a safe and sustainable digital era for all will be spread throughout the world.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/khang-dinh-ban-linh-khat-vong-viet-nam-trong-ky-nguyen-so-post917901.html