Vietnam Marks Milestone with the Hanoi Convention
The Signing Ceremony and High-Level Conference of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention) took place at the National Convention Center in Hanoi on October 25-26, 2025.
With the theme “Countering Cybercrime, Sharing Responsibility, Securing Our Future,” the event brought together UN SecretaryGeneral António Guterres, more than 2,500 delegates from 119 countries and territories, along with representatives from over 100 international organizations and leading technology corporations. It marked a historic milestone in global cybersecurity cooperation.
In his opening remarks, Vietnamese President Luong Cuong affirmed that the convention marks a landmark achievement, ushering in a new era of international cooperation in cyberspace. He emphasized that the Hanoi Convention is not only the first global legal instrument under the United Nations framework to address cybercrime, but also a testament to solidarity, respect for the rule of law, and the enduring vitality of multilateralism. Comprised of nine chapters and 71 articles, the Convention was initiated by the United Nations in 2019 and adopted in late 2024 after five years of negotiations. It provides a comprehensive legal framework to prevent, investigate, and prosecute cybercrime, while ensuring respect for human rights and promoting stronger international cooperation.
President Luong Cuong highlighted three key messages of the Hanoi Convention: reaffirming the commitment to shape an international order ensuring safety and security in cyberspace based on international law; promoting sharing, partnership, and mutual support; and highlighting that all efforts must ultimately serve the people so that technology enhances lives, development creates opportunities for all, and no one is left behind in the process of digital transformation. He affirmed that they mirror Vietnam’s consistent approach to international integration, which is anchored in law, driven by cooperation, and centered on the people.
The country’s hosting of the signing ceremony and its role as the first signatory demonstrate Vietnam’s strong commitment to the rule of law, fulfillment of international obligations, and contributions to consolidating the global legal order in cyberspace, he said, highlighting its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development, multilateralization, and diversification of external relations, and being a proactive member and a reliable, responsible partner of the international community. He called on member states to adopt the convention soon, enabling it to take effect and establish a just, inclusive, and rules-based digital order.
Expressing his honor to attend this historic event, UN Secretary-General António Guterres extended his gratitude to Vietnam for its pioneering role, spirit of connection, and world-class organizational capacity and hailed Hanoi as a city that embodies the spirit of the digital age - innovation, possibilities and connection. He described the Hanoi Convention as the first global criminal justice treaty after more than two decades, establishing a common legal framework for nations to cooperate in combating cybercrime.
For her part, UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly underlined that the Hanoi Convention provides a universal framework that harmonizes standards, facilitates the exchange and use of electronic evidence, promotes judicial cooperation, and safeguards human rights. She reaffirmed that the UNODC will continue to accompany and provide tailored technical assistance to help countries implement the convention effectively, contributing to a safer, more humane, and prosperous cyberspace.
Immediately following the opening ceremony, 72 countries signed the Convention - a record number - demonstrating the strong consensus and commitment of the international community to global cybersecurity.
Vietnamese Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang said that hosting the event underscored Vietnam’s political will and proactive role in shaping a global cybersecurity ecosystem. The Hanoi Convention, he added, also provides an important foundation for Vietnam to deepen international cooperation, access technical assistance, strengthen a digital investigation capacity, and safeguard the rights of citizens, businesses, and national digital sovereignty. The signing of the Hanoi Convention concluded successfully, leaving a lasting impression of a proactive, responsible, and peace-loving Vietnam - a nation rising with confidence and contributing to global peace, security, and shared prosperity in the digital era./.
Story: Khanh Long Photos: Cong Dat & VNA Translated by Nguyen Tuoi