{"id":191923,"date":"2026-03-01T21:09:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T02:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/testing.news-you-need.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/01\/new-draft-reveals-the-ministry-of-public-securitys-expanding-cybersecurity-firewall\/"},"modified":"2026-03-02T00:45:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T05:45:10","slug":"new-draft-reveals-the-ministry-of-public-securitys-expanding-cybersecurity-firewall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/testing.news-you-need.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/01\/new-draft-reveals-the-ministry-of-public-securitys-expanding-cybersecurity-firewall\/","title":{"rendered":"New Draft Reveals the Ministry of Public Security\u2019s Expanding Cybersecurity Firewall"},"content":{"rendered":"

New Draft Reveals the Ministry of Public Security\u2019s Expanding Cybersecurity Firewall<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/thevietnamese.org\/2026\/03\/new-draft-reveals-the-ministry-of-public-securitys-expanding-cybersecurity-firewall\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Publish Date: 2026-03-01 21:09:00<\/a><\/p>\n

Source Domain: thevietnamese.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Author: <\/a><\/p>\n

Using an unordered list, summarize the following article with between 4 and 8 key points. <\/p>\n

Key Events\u00a0<\/p>\n

New Draft Exposes Expansive Cybersecurity Firewall;<\/p>\n

Vi\u1ec7t Nam\u2019s $16 Billion Airport Faces Questions Over Efficiency and Oversight;<\/p>\n

Ministry of Public Security Quickly and Quietly Moves Forward With Legal Drafts During T\u1ebft Period;<\/p>\n

Party-Nominated Candidates Overwhelm Assembly Race;<\/p>\n

Draft Decree Would Expand Police Authority Over Fake News.<\/p>\n

Ministry of Public Security\u2019s New Draft Raises Concerns Over Digital Surveillance Powers<\/p>\n

Vi\u1ec7t Nam will \u201cfocus on building a cybersecurity firewall.\u201d<\/p>\n

The statement, delivered by Public Security Minister L\u01b0\u01a1ng Tam Quang on Feb. 7 following the closing session of the Communist Party\u2019s 14th National Congress, marked the first time senior officials have publicly framed the country\u2019s digital governance strategy in those terms.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While Vi\u1ec7t Nam has long been viewed internationally as maintaining one of the world\u2019s most restrictive Internet control regimes, the authorities had not previously articulated an explicit objective to construct what they now describe as a \u201ccybersecurity firewall.\u201d<\/p>\n

The remark comes as lawmakers finalize a sweeping overhaul of the country\u2019s legal framework on cybersecurity. On Dec. 10, 2025, the 15th National Assembly passed a new Cybersecurity Law, set to take effect on July 1, 2026. Drafted by the Ministry of Public Security (MPS), the law consolidates and replaces the 2018 Cybersecurity Law and the 2015 Law on Information Security.<\/p>\n

The 2025 statute introduces new elements to Vi\u1ec7t Nam\u2019s system of online governance, including language that for the first time references the development of a national firewall system. Point d, Clause 2, Article 10 states that authorities will \u201cstudy the development of a national firewall system,\u201d marking the first appearance of such terminology in Vietnamese legislation.<\/p>\n

ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n

Further details emerged roughly two months later when the ministry released for public comment a draft titled \u201cNational Technical Standard on Cybersecurity\u2014Firewall\u2014Basic Technical Requirements.\u201d The draft outlines a system described as a mandatory infrastructure for monitoring and filtering Internet activity.<\/p>\n

According to the proposal, firewall devices that meet national standards would have features to filter internet traffic and perform deep packet inspection (DPI), which means they can closely examine the data being sent over networks.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The design also calls for SSL\/TLS inspection\u2014a technical capacity to decrypt encrypted communications, review their contents, and then re-encrypt them before transmission. The \u201chttps\u201d prefix in web addresses shows that SSL\/TLS protocols usually protect communications between users and websites.<\/p>\n

The system would also integrate user identity data into individualized control policies and include web-filtering mechanisms based on blacklists of at least 100,000 domain names. Blacklists are defined as collections of IP addresses, domains, and URLs subject to restriction under information security policies, aimed at blocking content or activity deemed \u201cundesirable.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition, network devices would be required to log detailed information about every user session, including time stamps, source and destination addresses, protocols, and system responses. User activity would then be evaluated and assigned a \u201crisk level,\u201d triggering automated controls or alerts to cybersecurity authorities when thresholds are exceeded.<\/p>\n

Separate draft regulations implementing the 2025 law would obligate telecommunications and internet service providers to store IP address identification data linked to subscriber information for at least 12 months. Companies must also establish direct technical connections to transmit IP data to the Ministry\u2019s specialized cybersecurity force and provide user information within 24 hours\u2014or within three hours in urgent cases.<\/p>\n

All user data would be stored domestically at the MPS\u2019s National Data Center. Officials have acknowledged, however, that Vi\u1ec7t Nam faces a shortage of approximately 700,000 cybersecurity personnel, even as recruitment drives intensify.<\/p>\n

Taken together, the legislative and regulatory measures signal a significant expansion of centralized state oversight of Vi\u1ec7t Nam\u2019s digital infrastructure.<\/p>\n

Delays and Cost Concerns Shadow Long Th\u00e0nh Airport<\/p>\n

\u201cI asked whether it has surpassed Malaysia or Singapore, and no one could prove it. I asked how long it would take to recover the $16 billion and return it to the state, and no one could answer,\u201d Communist Party General Secretary T\u00f4 L\u00e2m said on Feb. 25 in H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i, referring to the Long Th\u00e0nh International Airport project.<\/p>\n

Speaking before central and local officials, T\u00f4 L\u00e2m criticized state-owned enterprises for focusing on disbursement rather than economic accounting. He said many projects lack clear financial calculations, raising the risks of waste, corruption, and losses.<\/p>\n

Using Long Th\u00e0nh airport as an example, he described the $16 billion price tag as daunting and questioned its measurable economic return. \u201cI asked how much Long Th\u00e0nh Airport will contribute annually to national economic growth, and they could not calculate it,\u201d L\u00e2m said. Without proper accounting, he warned, inefficiencies and misconduct are likely to emerge.<\/p>\n

T\u00f4 L\u00e2m also contrasted state projects with private-sector efficiency, noting that private developers often complete projects faster and begin capital recovery earlier, while state works face delays and cost overruns.<\/p>\n

This marks the second time this month that T\u00f4 L\u00e2m has publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the Long Th\u00e0nh project, which is currently under inspection and linked to criminal investigations involving multiple officials.\u00a0<\/p>\n

During a Feb. 9 visit to Ho Chi Minh City, he questioned transportation connectivity, arguing that travel time from the city to Long Th\u00e0nh should not exceed 30 minutes, instead of the current two hours due to congestion.<\/p>\n

Despite conducting trial commercial takeoffs and landings in December 2025, the airport remains behind schedule. Originally slated for commercial operation in early 2026, the launch has been postponed to June 2026.<\/p>\n

Recent weeks have seen leadership changes at key project stakeholders. The Airports Corporation of Vi\u1ec7t Nam (ACV) appointed L\u00ea V\u0103n Khi\u00ean as legal representative on Feb. 26, replacing chairman V\u0169 Th\u1ebf Phi\u1ec7t. Newtecons and Vinaconex also announced senior leadership reshuffles.<\/p>\n

On Feb. 25, \u0110\u1ed3ng Nai provincial police expanded an investigation into alleged violations related to land compensation and resettlement. Former Long Th\u00e0nh District Chairman L\u00ea V\u0103n Ti\u1ebfp and five officials were charged with abuse of power in connection with compensation approvals.<\/p>\n

Approved by the National Assembly in June 2015 with 86% support, the 5,000-hectare airport project was envisioned to handle up to 100 million passengers annually and ease pressure on T\u00e2n S\u01a1n Nh\u1ea5t International Airport. From the outset, however, lawmakers and experts raised concerns about financial feasibility, debt sustainability, and regional competitiveness.<\/p>\n

A decade later, as costs mount and investigations unfold, the project remains both a symbol of national ambition and a focal point of scrutiny.<\/p>\n

The MPS Quietly Seeks Input on More Than 20 Draft Laws During T\u1ebft Holiday<\/p>\n

Vi\u1ec7t Nam\u2019s MPS has quietly released and sought public feedback on over 20 draft legal documents in the lead-up to and during the 2026 Lunar New Year holiday, raising questions about transparency and timing.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In the weeks before and during the nation\u2019s T\u1ebft Nguy\u00ean \u0110\u00e1n (Lunar New Year) break, the ministry published a series of draft laws, decrees, and circulars on its official portal and invited comments from citizens and organizations.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Many of the drafts were open for feedback for only nine days, and the consultation periods overlapped with the national holiday when many people are off work and media coverage is limited.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Among the drafts posted for comment were high-profile and potentially controversial texts, including a proposed decree on combating fake and false information\u2014which attracted little public attention as it was published on Feb. 13 and closed for comments by Feb. 22.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Other drafts addressed cybersecurity, narcotics control, criminal enforcement, technical inspection standards, internal police procedures, and anti-crime fund regulations. Many of these also expired during the T\u1ebft holiday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Critics and observers noted that state media rarely reported on the consultations, and coverage sometimes arrived only as deadlines were about to close or had already passed, limiting opportunities for meaningful public input.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Under Vietnamese law, soliciting public comments is a required step in drafting normative legal texts, and minimum consultation periods vary by document type. However, the timing of these releases raised concerns about how accessible the process was to a broad audience.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In response to questions about the timing and legality of the consultations, the ministry stated that publishing drafts during holidays is not prohibited under current rules, provided the consultation periods meet minimum statutory requirements, and the procedures comply with the Law on Promulgation of Legal Documents.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It said that drafts were made available on official information channels to allow organizations and businesses to review and comment and that holiday timing does not by itself invalidate the process.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The disheveled way drafts are released is happening while the MPS is working hard on legal changes in many areas, such as anti-fake news, public security standards, and criminal procedure, highlighting its important role in shaping Vi\u1ec7t Nam\u2019s laws and regulations during ongoing discussions about balancing security, social order, and public involvement in making laws.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Civil society and legal experts anticipate ongoing reactions as additional draft texts emerge and the consultation process progresses in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n

Only Four Independent Candidates Registered for National Assembly Election<\/p>\n

In the run-up to Vi\u1ec7t Nam\u2019s National Assembly election scheduled for March 15, a newly released candidate list shows that just four people have registered as independent candidates, and state media have not publicly disclosed their identities or backgrounds, raising questions about transparency in the electoral process.\u00a0<\/p>\n

According to the National Election Council\u2019s published list of 864 individuals running for seats in the 16th National Assembly, independent candidates\u2014those not officially nominated by authorities\u2014account for only 0.46% of the total. Official channels nominated more than 99% of candidates, with central authorities selecting 217 and local bodies selecting 643.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Among the four self-nominated candidates, two are reported to be based in H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City, though no further details about their names, professional backgrounds, or platforms have been provided in state media reports. News outlets referenced the number of self-nominated candidates but stopped short of identifying them or providing basic biographical information.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The small number of independent candidates highlights ongoing limitations in Vi\u1ec7t Nam\u2019s electoral system. While the constitution and electoral law formally allow citizens to stand for office without nomination by a sponsoring organization, observers note that the Communist Party-led political structure effectively limits both the number and visibility of such candidates.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Historically, the party and its affiliated bodies have significantly influenced the placement of candidates on official lists, particularly through pre-selection and screening processes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In recent years, the number of self-nominated candidates who make it onto the official ballot has declined. Data from past election cycles show that while more individuals attempted independent runs, many were removed during preliminary vetting, known as the hi\u1ec7p th\u01b0\u01a1ng (vetting) process, which is overseen by the Vietnam Fatherland Front and other institutions aligned with the political establishment to select the qualified candidates.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Analysts say the overwhelming dominance of party-endorsed candidates shapes the composition of the legislature and limits the range of voices represented in the Assembly. While the list includes some candidates outside the Communist Party, the majority are associated with state sectors, public institutions, or government-linked mass organizations.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As election day approaches, the scarcity of visible independent contenders and the lack of publicly available information about those who have chosen to run independently underscore broader debates about political pluralism and openness in Vi\u1ec7t Nam\u2019s one-party electoral system.<\/p>\n

MPS Seeks Authority to Investigate False Information<\/p>\n

A draft decree currently under consultation would grant Vi\u1ec7t Nam\u2019s Ministry of Public Security expanded authority to investigate and adjudicate cases involving \u201cfake news\u201d and information deemed harmful to state security, according to a recently published legal proposal.<\/p>\n

The draft decree, which is part of the ongoing efforts to put the 2025 Cybersecurity Law and other legal changes into action, would allow the MPS\u2019s special teams to take charge of checking, confirming, and dealing with cases of alleged false information. Under the proposal, these units could initiate investigations independently or act on referrals from other state agencies.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Specifically, the document defines \u201ctin gi\u1ea3\u201d (fake news) broadly as information that is unverified or fabricated and that affects social order, national security, public trust, or economic stability. The draft sets out procedures for determining whether content meets these criteria and outlines penalties for individuals and organizations found to be responsible for producing, disseminating, or promoting such information.\u00a0<\/p>\n

One notable element of the draft is the procedural power it would give police investigators to collect evidence, interview witnesses, and seize materials relevant to alleged fake news cases without requiring prior judicial authorization in certain circumstances.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The proposal would also establish collaborative mechanisms between the MPS and other ministries, state agencies, and digital platforms to support detection and enforcement efforts.<\/p>\n

Civil society groups and digital rights advocates have previously raised concerns that broad definitions of fake news and expansive enforcement powers could be used to suppress dissent, restrict freedom of expression, and create a chilling effect on online discourse. Human rights organizations note that ambiguity in key terms may give law enforcement wide discretion in deciding what constitutes punishable information.<\/p>\n

Under existing law, the MPS already plays a central role in monitoring digital content\u2014including through the Cybersecurity Law and provisions on online information management\u2014but the new draft would formalize and extend investigatory authority in a way that goes beyond monitoring to active enforcement and prosecution.<\/p>\n

The draft decree is currently open for public comment, with a consultation period that precedes a formal review by the government and submission to the National Assembly for consideration.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If adopted, it would become part of a broader suite of legal instruments aimed at regulating online information flows, combating \u201charmful\u201d content, and strengthening state capacity to manage digital spaces in Vi\u1ec7t Nam\u2019s one-party political system.<\/p>\n

Observers say how the law is drafted, interpreted, and enforced will be key to its impact\u2014both on public safety and on rights related to freedom of expression and access to information.<\/p>\n

Quick Takes:<\/p>\n

Communist Party Members Make Up 92% of National Assembly Candidates Despite Being 5.5% of Population<\/p>\n

Communist Party members account for just 5.5% of Vi\u1ec7t Nam\u2019s population, but they represent over 92% of candidates running in the upcoming National Assembly election, according to official candidate statistics. Of 864 total candidates, 795 are party members, while only four are self-nominated, and the remainder are affiliated with mass, public organizations. The data highlights the dominance of the Communist Party in legislative representation. The strong skew in candidate composition comes as independent and non-party voices remain rare in Vi\u1ec7t Nam\u2019s one-party political system.<\/p>\n

Human Rights Group Sounds Alarm Over Vietnam Arrest Warrant for U.S. Activist<\/p>\n

A joint statement by the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights and partners condemned the arrest warrant issued by Vietnam\u2019s Ministry of Public Security for Dr. Nguy\u1ec5n \u0110\u00ecnh Th\u1eafng, a U.S. citizen and longtime human rights defender, as an escalation of transnational repression. The warrant, related to alleged terrorism charges, targets Dr. Th\u1eafng\u2014president of Boat People SOS (BPSOS)\u2014over his overseas activism and reports on religious freedom abuses in Vi\u1ec7t Nam. Rights advocates called on H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i to drop the charges, rescind the warrant, and end efforts to silence dissent beyond its borders, warning the move could undermine civil society and international human rights norms.<\/p>\n

Vi\u1ec7t Nam Sends Envoy to Meet Putin on Russia-Ukraine War Anniversary<\/p>\n

T\u00f4 L\u00e2m dispatched a special envoy to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Feb. 24, coinciding with the fourth anniversary of Russia\u2019s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Foreign Minister L\u00ea Ho\u00e0i Trung, acting as the special representative of T\u00f4 L\u00e2m, conveyed Hanoi\u2019s message that Vi\u1ec7t Nam views Russia as a trusted long-term partner and expressed confidence in continued cooperation. He also extended an official invitation for Putin to visit Vi\u1ec7t Nam, which Putin accepted.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The talks in the Kremlin covered potential collaboration in the energy, defense, nuclear technology, transport, and science sectors. Trung also met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and leaders of major political parties during the visit. The visit\u2019s timing, coinciding with the anniversary of Russia\u2019s invasion, is indicative of Vietnam\u2019s diplomatic strategy.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Draft Law Would Force All Social Platforms to Verify Livestream Sellers\u2019 Identities<\/p>\n

A draft decree by Vi\u1ec7t Nam\u2019s MPS would require people who conduct livestream commercial sales to have verified identities, placing the obligation on both domestic and foreign social media platforms, according to the proposal. Platforms would have to link livestream accounts to Vietnamese mobile numbers or official identity numbers before allowing sellers to broadcast. Accounts that refuse to provide identification data could be removed from the platform. The draft shifts responsibility for enforcing livestream seller identification from the Ministry of Information and Communications to the MPS. The measure is part of broader efforts to tighten online regulation and tax compliance in the rapidly expanding e-commerce market.\u00a0<\/p>\n

U.S. Says It Will Remove Vi\u1ec7t Nam From Strategic Export Control List<\/p>\n

The United States plans to remove Vi\u1ec7t Nam from its strategic export control list, the Vietnamese government announced following talks in Washington between President Donald Trump and Communist Party General Secretary T\u00f4 L\u00e2m. Trump pledged to instruct relevant US agencies to delist Vi\u1ec7t Nam from restrictions that currently slow or limit access to advanced US technologies, potentially easing export approvals for high-tech goods. The announcement came amid broader efforts to strengthen US\u2013Vi\u1ec7t Nam economic and strategic ties and follows recent aircraft and aerospace deals by Vietnamese carriers with US manufacturers. The commitment signals deepening cooperation between the two countries.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Vi\u1ec7t Nam Vows Reforms After EU Adds It to Tax Blacklist<\/p>\n

Vi\u1ec7t Nam has pledged to improve tax transparency after the European Union placed it on its list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions following an OECD assessment citing shortcomings in information exchange standards. Officials said the government has amended the Law on Tax Administration and the Law on Enterprises and is preparing a national action plan to address EU concerns.<\/p>\n

The Foreign Ministry described the listing as a technical matter and reaffirmed Vi\u1ec7t Nam\u2019s commitment to international tax governance standards. The designation could prompt additional reporting requirements for firms with EU ties.
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