No longer a luxury toy
According to statistics from B&C Company, smart lock device revenue in Vietnam reached 7.2 million USD in 2023 and is expected to grow 28% -36% annually in the period 2024-2028. This development reflects the need to upgrade home security, modernize living space and the digital trend in security and property management of Vietnamese people.
Smart lock with multiple unlocking methods for convenient life
In the past 2 years, smart lock retail sales at agents such as Gu Cong Nghe, Lumi, Aqara Home or on Shopee have increased by nearly 50% each year. The most popular today are 3 product lines, representing 3 main segments including:
Under 4 million VND, represented by product lines such as SwitchBot Lock, Livolo M300, Aqara U100. From 5 million - 8 million VND are mid-range, emerging product lines such as: Xiaomi Door Lock E, Aqara A100, Lockin SV40. From 10 million VND and up are high-end products from famous brands such as: Sharp S6, Dessmann G800, Samsung SHP-DR900, BoschID80 ... In which, the most popular smart lock brands in Vietnam today include Xiaomi, Aqara, Samsung, Dessmann, Kaadas and Lumi.
Mr. Nguyen Hoang - manager of "Gu Cong Nghe" store (HCMC) said: "Previously, it was mainly used in high-end houses or villas, but now even townhouses and mid-range apartments prefer the bridge because it is convenient and not as expensive as before."
Dissecting smart features
On average, popular smart lock models in Vietnam today support 3 to 6 unlocking methods. The methods include: Biometric fingerprint sensor integrated on the handle or lock surface; PIN code (with virtual code); Magnetic card/NFC; Bluetooth/Wifi controlled via app; spare key; facial recognition in high-end models.
Many models come with additional features like anti-lock-breaking alarms (forcing, banging, or too many false positives). Today’s users don’t just want a door lock that can be opened by a PIN or fingerprint. They want a lock that can “remember” their entry history, send temporary access codes to the housekeeper, identify who is trying to open the door, and receive notifications whenever someone enters or leaves.
"My family has three children and my wife often travels far away. The Aqara lock allows me to track who comes home and when, giving me peace of mind when I'm away," said Mr. Tran Bang Giang (resident of Vinhomes Smart City).
Regarding the battery, common models use AA batteries or rechargeable lithium batteries. Battery life usually lasts from 6 months to 1 year depending on frequency of use and environment. For the door lock location in a hot and humid place, the battery performance will decrease.
Fatal weakness
Security is a vital issue for smart locks. Despite the obvious convenience, many people are still skeptical about the possibility of hacking, code scanning, or unauthorized remote control.
A representative of the Department of Cyber Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention shared: “Technically, smart locks can be hacked via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or outdated accompanying applications or software. But well-made smart locks are safe and pose little risk.”
"For smart locks, breaking the lock using manual methods such as using force or mechanical tools will cause the lock to emit a warning," said Colonel Nguyen Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Department of Cyber Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention.
Always pay attention to safety conditions for smart locks to maximize protection.
"Smart locks are essentially electronic devices, so in theory, they are difficult to avoid being hacked. However, in reality, the highest probability of being hacked is still due to revealing the PIN code or using a code that is too simple. Right after that is old software, not updated to fix errors, or using cheap, floating products," Mr. Tuan emphasized.
Associate Professor Dr. Huynh Quyet Thang, lecturer at the Department of Software Technology, Institute of Information and Communication Technology, Hanoi University of Science and Technology said: "If thieves cannot directly attack and break the lock, they will attack through the wifi network. Once the transmission line is not well secured, this becomes the weakest point of the smart lock."
Security expert Tran Hoai Le (Homely Security Solutions Company - Da Nang ) recommends that users should be aware of the following notes: “First, prioritize products with AES-128 security standards or higher. Second, periodically check for updates from the manufacturer (Mi Home, Lumi Life, Aqara Home...). Third, use a PIN code from 6 to 8 digits, do not use date of birth or phone number, change it after each time a stranger comes, or take advantage of the temporary PIN code function. Finally, always activate the lock-breaking warning mode if available.”
Some common vulnerabilities for smart locks include:
- Using old Bluetooth BLE, easy to catch waves or fake signals
- Optical fingerprint, easily fooled by 3D printed fingerprints
- PIN without virtual code is easily seen by peeping or hidden camera
- The control app does not have 2-factor authentication
- Many cheap lock models do not support the warning function when shaken, pried, or opened illegally without recording.
Additionally, smart locks run on electricity, so batteries need to be replaced and software updated. Maintenance for these devices is significantly more complicated than for traditional locks.
Aesthetically, smart locks don't meet your expectations if you care about the look of your front door. They're often large boxes with bulky keypads that stick out from the door.
For anyone who is not comfortable with technology and is lazy to approach, of course, will not want to make the complexity of smart locks difficult for themselves. Worst case scenario, if the internet connection or device suddenly runs out of battery or if the phone is lost or stolen, locking and unlocking the door will be very difficult.
Which option is suitable for user needs?
For young families, people who are often away, in addition to security cameras, smart doors are a must-have device. Ms. Tran Thi Minh Phuong (Cau Giay - Hanoi) said: "My family installed the Lockin SV40 smart lock for the main door at the beginning of the year. This product can be unlocked on the phone, very convenient, my son comes home from school and opens the door, no more worrying about losing the key."
Another regular customer of smart locks is the owners of rental houses and tourist bungalows. Mr. Nguyen Hoai Minh, a native of Quang Ngai, owns a row of 8 rooms for rent in Mang Den Tourist Town. Due to travel conditions, Mr. Minh only comes to the place twice a month when he needs to repair or replace equipment, the rest of the time he works in Quang Ngai.
Choosing to use smart locks in room management made Mr. Minh very satisfied. He said: “I bought AqaraU100 locks for all 8 rooms. Guests who book a room will be given a private code by me, and the code will automatically expire after use. The staff there only helps me clean the room without having to hire a financial manager, so I feel very secure.”
However, some families with elderly people are used to using mechanical keys and often forget their PIN codes, so they should consider using magnetic cards or facial recognition. Ms. Phan Bich Thu (Da Nang) said: "My mother-in-law is old and cannot remember the 8-digit PIN, so my husband uses a magnetic card attached to his phone case. When he comes home, he just needs to put his phone on it and the door opens. When I hear the alarm at work, I turn on the security camera to feel secure."
Expert Vu Trong Khai (Da Nang Mechatronics Association) noted that houses using thin wooden doors or weak aluminum and glass will reduce the protective effect of smart locks. Smart locks need to be installed on standard structures. If the door material expands due to temperature, the lock will not fit tightly, losing its safety.
A technician from the Lumi Hanoi system shared: “Most of the errors encountered when using smart locks are due to incorrect installation, causing the door to be loose, the lock pin not to fit properly, the wire being blocked by screws or rainwater entering, causing the device to short circuit. Users should call a professional technician. Only when you are really knowledgeable about the device should you do the assembly yourself.”
Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/no-ro-khoa-cua-thong-minh-co-dang-xuong-tien-post1550538.html
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