The warning was issued at the Vietnam Security Summit 2025, co-organised by the National Cybersecurity Association (NCA) and IEC Group on May 23 in Ho Chi Minh City.

According to Vu Ngoc Son, head of the NCA's Research, Consulting, Technology Development, and International Cooperation Department, Vietnam ranks among the countries most vulnerable to cyberattacks, with over 659,000 incidents recorded in 2024. Nearly half of all Vietnamese organisations reported being attacked at least once.

He noted that around 56% of organisations lack sufficient IT and cybersecurity personnel. He attributed the shortage to weak links between education and industry, outdated curricula, and limited opportunities for practical training in real-world systems.

To address the issue, Son urged the implementation of Resolution 57-NQ/TW issued by the Politburo on December 22, 2024 on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. He recommended closer collaboration between academic institutions, research centres, and businesses, with early student practical engagement, scholarships, and post-graduation recruitment guarantees.

He also suggested enhancing practical cybersecurity training to include primary schools and vocational institutions. He urged government agencies to create national occupational standards and financial aid policies to support cybersecurity students.

Themed "Cybersecurity: Building Resilience & Trust in the Ever-Changing World," the summit featured one plenary keynote session and three conference sessions on AI-driven data protection, cloud security, and IT infrastructure resilience.

Major General Le Minh Manh, Deputy Director of the Department of Cyber Security and Prevention of High-Tech Crime at the Ministry of Public Security, said Vietnam faces persistent threats to national security and information systems. Dozens of thousands of critical systems are attacked each year, making cybersecurity a pressing and long-term responsibility for all sectors.

Major General Nguyen Tung Hung, Deputy Commander of the Cyberspace Operations Command under the Ministry of National Defence, emphasised that while cyberspace presents economic opportunities, it also poses serious risks. A lack of trust due to security threats could erode public confidence in the digital environment, underscoring the need to build a secure and trustworthy cyberspace.

The annual summit also showcased cybersecurity solutions from over 50 leading domestic and international providers, highlighting advancements in AI security, cloud protection, data security, and identity and access management.

6th Vietnam Security Summit held in Hanoi

The Vietnam Security Summit 2024 was held in Hanoi on May 30 by the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC)’ Authority of Information Security (AIS) and the IEC Group.