On April 7, 2026, General Secretary and President To Lam signed a Decision approving the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention). Vietnam became the first country in Southeast Asia and the second in the world to ratify the Hanoi Convention.
The Convention on Cybercrime, the first international treaty of the United Nations named after a place name of Vietnam, is a historical milestone in Vietnam's international integration process, showing Vietnam's capacity and position in solving common issues of the international community.
In its role as host, Vietnam has coordinated with the United Nations to successfully organize the Opening Ceremony of the Convention in Hanoi in October 2025 with the participation of leaders and high-level representatives of more than 110 countries and international organizations, of which 72 countries have officially signed the Convention to continue to be a bridge to promote dialogue, cooperation and building trust in the international community on issues related to cybersecurity and cyberspace governance.
The rapid completion of ratification procedures, thereby becoming the first country in Southeast Asia and the second country in the world to be an official member of the Hanoi Convention, demonstrates Vietnam's strong and consistent commitment to upholding international law, the United Nations Charter and multilateralism. As an official member, Vietnam can make more substantial contributions to the process of building and developing an international legal framework in cyberspace.
The Hanoi Convention is an important international legal basis for Vietnam to enhance the effectiveness of preventing, detecting, investigating and handling cybercrime, meeting the requirements of ensuring national security, social order and safety in the context of digital transformation and deep international integration. This is also an important driving force for perfecting the domestic legal system, ensuring compatibility with international standards and obligations, and improving institutional, technical and human resources capacity in preventing and combating cybercrime.
The United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention) was first signed in Hanoi in October 2025.
The Convention consists of 9 Chapters, 68 articles, establishing a comprehensive international legal framework for international cooperation in preventing and combating cybercrime, with many important contents such as: identifying acts considered cybercrime, from illegal access, system interference to child abuse online, money laundering obtained from criminal activities; determining jurisdiction and investigation measures, allowing countries to collect evidence and effectively prosecute cases related to cybercrime; procedural and law enforcement measures; international cooperation in investigating and prosecuting cybercriminals; preventive measures, emphasizing building capacity and raising awareness of cybersecurity; technical support and information exchange.
To date, 75 countries have signed the Convention. Before Vietnam, Qatar was the first country to ratify the Convention. The Convention will take effect after 40 countries become members.
