Vietnam's Growing Influence in Global Digital Governance

Strategic Insights -

Vietnam is making a significant impact on the international stage with its recent hosting of the signing ceremony for the UN Convention against Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention), highlighting its commitment to promoting a secure, safe, and open digital future for all. Dr. Pham Duc Son, a member of the Vietnam-Australia Scholars & Experts Association, emphasizes that Vietnam's approach of being a "friend to all nations and a partner for peace" aligns perfectly with the UN's inclusive and cooperative spirit. As a result, Vietnam is being recognized as a leader in promoting international cooperation in combating cybercrime, with a growing reputation as a reliable and neutral country committed to peace, dialogue, and cooperation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Vietnam's hosting of the Hanoi Convention has showcased its leading role in promoting a secure, safe, and open digital future for all, with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Duc Son noting that the event will bear Vietnam's name as a symbol of peace, trust, and shared responsibility in the digital era.
  • The convention embodies the UN's values of cooperation, inclusiveness, and shared responsibility, reinforcing the UN's central role in coordinating global actions and setting the stage for future frameworks on digital governance, artificial intelligence, and online safety.
  • The World Economic Forum's Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025 reports that total losses from online scams worldwide exceeded 1 trillion USD over the past year, with some countries suffering losses of over 3% of their GDP due to cybercrime.
  • International cooperation is crucial in combating cybercrime, as it enables law enforcement agencies to share intelligence, coordinate investigations, and prosecute criminals who exploit jurisdictional gaps.
  • Vietnam's consistent approach to international cooperation, including its hosting of the Hanoi Convention, has demonstrated its rising stature and credibility in international cooperation, especially in cybersecurity.
  • The Hanoi Convention will create a universal and comprehensive cooperation platform allowing all countries to collaborate, share intelligence, and align legal mechanisms for cross-border investigation and prosecution.
  • Dr. Son emphasized the need to enhance international cooperation in combating cybercrime, noting that it is crucial because cybercrime transcends borders, with perpetrators often exploiting jurisdictional gaps to act from one country while targeting victims in another.
  • International cooperation also strengthens collective resilience by enabling countries to share information about emerging threats, attack patterns, and best practices, allowing them to respond more quickly and prevent the global spread of incidents.
  • The Budapest Convention on Cybercrime and Interpol and Europol's coordinated operations are examples of effective international cooperation in combating cybercrime.
  • Capacity building is also essential, with international partnerships helping to strengthen capabilities through joint training, resource sharing, and expert guidance.

Statistics:

  • Total losses from online scams worldwide exceeded 1 trillion USD over the past year (World Economic Forum's Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025).
  • Some countries suffered losses of over 3% of their GDP due to cybercrime (World Economic Forum's Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025).
  • The Australian Cyber Security Strategy 2023-2030 aims to make Australia the most cyber-secure country in the world by 2030.
  • The Hanoi Convention will create a universal and comprehensive cooperation platform allowing all countries to collaborate, share intelligence, and align legal mechanisms for cross-border investigation and prosecution.

Sources:

  • Vietnam News Agency (VNA)
  • World Economic Forum's Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025
  • Australian Cyber Security Strategy 2023-2030
  • Budapest Convention on Cybercrime
  • Interpol
  • Europol