President Luong Cuong, the UN Secretary-General, and leaders and representatives from various countries attended the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime. (Photo: THUY NGUYEN)
Meeting the demands of reality
With the development of science, technology, and social life, cybercrime, which was once just small, isolated hacker groups, has evolved into organized, international operations targeting the financial, energy, and security systems of many countries. Therefore, cybercrime has become a direct threat to the security, sovereignty , and stability of all nations, and is one of the most dangerous global challenges. According to a United Nations report, millions of cyberattacks of all kinds occur globally every day. In particular, during the period 2021-2024, East Asia and Southeast Asia faced an increasing rate of cybercrime, causing losses exceeding $37 billion.
Fraudulent messages sent to customers by criminals using high-tech methods. (Photo: THUY LINH)
In recent times in Vietnam, sophisticated forms of fraud, such as impersonating government officials and hijacking personal accounts and data, have become increasingly common.
According to data released at the "Exchange on International Cooperation in Combating Online Fraud" held as part of the series of activities marking the signing of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, Vietnam currently has over 78.4 million internet users, accounting for approximately 80% of the population, and over 72 million social media users. In 2024, the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security detected more than 6,000 cases related to online fraud, with total losses reaching 12 trillion VND. Authorities have investigated and prosecuted numerous cases and defendants for acts of fraud and misappropriation of property or using computer networks, telecommunications networks, and the internet to commit acts of property misappropriation.
Overall, the economic damage caused by cybercrime worldwide amounts to trillions of USD annually, while legal frameworks between countries remain inconsistent, and coordination mechanisms still have many gaps. This necessitates strengthening measures to prevent and combat cybercrime on a global scale.
President Luong Cuong, the UN Secretary-General, and leaders and representatives from various countries attended the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime. (Photo: THUY NGUYEN)
Responding to practical demands, since 2019, the United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution initiating the process of developing a comprehensive international convention on combating cybercrime. The signing ceremony of the UN Convention on Cybercrime, themed "Combating Cybercrime - Sharing Responsibility - Towards the Future," took place in Hanoi and was attended by representatives from over 100 countries and approximately 1,000 delegates and journalists from around the world.
The United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, comprising nine chapters and 71 articles, marks the establishment of the first global legal framework for cooperation in combating cybercrime, promoting technical assistance and capacity building for the common good of the international community. The Convention also sends a strong message about humanity's determination to combat cybercrime and build a peaceful, just, and law-abiding world.
Mr. Dinh Thai Quang, Vice President of the Vietnam Association for Legal Dissemination and Consultation
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks at the signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime. (Photo: THUY NGUYEN)
Mr. Nguyen Minh Tuan (Thanh Xuan ward, Hanoi city) said: “In recent years, cybercrime has become increasingly complex, sophisticated, and dangerous. From online fraud to malware distribution, account hijacking, extortion, and human trafficking, all bear the mark of cybercrime. With the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, I hope Vietnam, along with other countries, will work together to quickly combat this dangerous type of crime.”
Mr. Dinh Thai Quang, Vice President of the Vietnam Association for Legal Dissemination and Consultation, noted that the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, comprising 9 chapters and 71 articles, marks the birth of the first global legal framework for cooperation in combating cybercrime, promoting technical assistance and capacity building for the common good of the international community. The Convention also sends a strong message about humanity's determination to combat cybercrime and build a peaceful, just, and law-abiding world.
Vietnam proactively contributes to and builds international law.
The United Nations Convention against Cybercrime was opened for signature in Hanoi and is known as the "Hanoi Convention." This is a recognition by the international community of Vietnam's contributions to the development and refinement of a globally recognized legal document in the fight against cybercrime. Vietnam not only respects and fully complies with global legal regulations but also directly participates in the process of building international law and establishing common norms and values for the digital age.
President Luong Cuong speaks at the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime. (Photo: THUY NGUYEN)
Many experts believe that the United Nations' choice of Hanoi as the venue for signing the International Convention against Cybercrime marks a significant step forward in Vietnam's multilateral foreign policy. It also clearly affirms Vietnam's role as a reliable partner for other countries in multilateral cooperation.
With the "Hanoi Convention," for the first time in history, the name of Vietnam's capital city is associated with a global convention of the United Nations, affirming Hanoi's position as the center of a country that is "rising strongly" in a new era: independence, self-reliance, responsibility, and deep integration with the world. This event recognizes Vietnam's role and responsibility in addressing non-traditional security challenges; and at the same time reflects the international community's confidence in Vietnam's capacity for cooperation.
Mr. Tran Anh Tuan, Head of the Legal and Information Communication Advisory Board at the Institute of International Economics and Law, observed: "The Hanoi Convention affirms Vietnam's position in the era of national development, an era in which we confidently participate in building international law. The Hanoi Convention also demonstrates Vietnam's responsibility in building common rules of the game in the digital age, contributing to peace, security, and sustainable development."
From another perspective, Lawyer Nguyen Xuan Dung (Hanoi Bar Association) believes that the adoption of the "Hanoi Convention" is only an initial success because many issues remain for Vietnam and the world in implementing the contents of this legal document. The important issue now is how to get countries with goodwill and determination to cooperate in preventing and combating cybercrime. "For Vietnam, it is necessary to continue improving the institutional framework, legal system, and capacity building to be able to coordinate with international partners in the uncompromising fight against cybercrime," Lawyer Nguyen Xuan Dung emphasized.
Although much work remains to be done, we, every Vietnamese citizen, have the right to be proud that Hanoi has been chosen by the United Nations as the starting point for the journey to create a safe, peaceful, cooperative, and trustworthy cyberspace in the digital age. Hanoi's association with an international convention is also a commitment of Vietnam in its efforts to contribute to peace, security, and sustainable development for humanity, for a safe digital world, in the spirit of "Vietnam is a friend, a trusted partner, and a responsible member of the international community."
TA LINH
Source: https://nhandan.vn/tu-hao-cong-uoc-ha-noi-post917953.html
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