The Circular sets out stricter technical requirements to protect electronic transactions and enhance digital trust. Accordingly, digital signature software must have the function of checking the validity of digital signature certificates before signing, supporting timestamp attachment and ensuring data integrity.
With digital signature testing software, the system must verify according to the "reliability guide" to the original certificate of the National Electronic Certificate Center (NEAC) or the trust list recognized by Vietnam. At the same time, display the results in Vietnamese with the signer's information, signing time and data integrity level.
The Circular also updates international standards, stipulating the minimum course length for RSA at 2,048 bit, for ECDSA at 256 bit, and recommends applying the PAdES, XAdES, CAdES digital signature set according to European standards.
An important new point is the launch of the Public Digital signature Certification Service Connection Portal (eSign Portal) built by the Ministry of Science and Technology. This portal helps organizations providing certification services (CA) connect with electronic transaction systems such as public services, banking, tax, and customs. This centralized model simplifies integration for application development units, while increasing synchronization, safety and compatibleness nationwide. NEAC is a unit providing technical support for the connecting parties.
To promote the effectiveness of the Circular soon, NEAC has compiled guiding documents, built a Q&A system, opened an online channel to answer questions and coordinated with the press and media to organize training and disseminate content.
Circular No. 15/2025/TT-BKHCN was developed on the basis of the Law on Electronic Transactions 2023 and Decree 23/2025/ND-CP, officially effective from the date of signing, replacing Circular No. 22/2020/TT-BTTTT of the Ministry of Information and Communications. This document is expected to become a solid legal foundation, contributing to standardization, ensuring transparency, safety and strengthening national digital trust, promoting the successful digital transformation process.
