Overview of the meeting of the National Cybersecurity Steering Committee.
On March 21, at Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Head of the National Cybersecurity Steering Committee, chaired its first meeting of 2026.
At the Hanoi site were Nguyen Duy Ngoc, Politburo member and Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, Head of the city's Cybersecurity Subcommittee; Ha Minh Hai, member of the Standing Board of the Hanoi Party Committee and Head of its Organization Commission; Truong Viet Dung, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee; members of the subcommittee; and leaders of relevant departments and agencies.
Improving the legal framework to match reality
Speaking at the event, Hanoi Party Secretary Nguyen Duy Ngoc affirmed that ensuring cybersecurity is a critical, ongoing and urgent task, decisive for building a smart city, digital government, digital economy and digital society.
He said the meeting was timely, helping unify awareness and action nationwide and expressed strong agreement with central reports and guidance.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the meeting.
Ngoc said that cybersecurity is a prerequisite for sustainable digital transformation and a vital "shield" protecting citizens from online risks.
Despite progress, he stressed the need to urgently complete the legal framework bridging the physical and digital worlds to ensure consistent understanding and coordinated action.
He also highlighted the importance of developing standards and regulations for cybersecurity infrastructure investment, operation and upgrades.
With rapid technological changes, lack of timely direction could expose systems to serious risks and potential damage.
Proposing special mechanisms for Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City
Ngoc underscored the need to strengthen inspection and supervision, rapidly transitioning from physical to digital environments to ensure effectiveness and strict enforcement.
Hanoi Party Secretary Nguyen Duy Ngoc represents the capital at the meeting.
"In this field, there is no room for error," he stressed, citing domestic and international incidents demonstrating severe consequences of cybersecurity breaches.
Although monitoring systems exist, their effectiveness remains limited and enforcement is not yet strong enough.
Even a small lapse in awareness or action by any individual, from grassroots to management levels, could cause significant system-wide damage.
Based on practical experience, Ngoc proposed that the Steering Committee study special investment mechanisms for Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
These cities serve as pioneers in implementing new models and host major data centers and leading technology corporations, with data-driven economies expected to grow rapidly.
Therefore, dedicated policies, standards and functions are needed to enable both cities to play leading roles in national digital transformation.
Ngoc expressed confidence that with strong central leadership and coordinated local efforts, cybersecurity will continue to improve, ensuring the safety of the digital space.