Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam was named the nation facing thesecond-highest level of cyber security risk in Asia Pacific markets by aMicrosoft Asia report on February 9.
The Asianbranch of the American computer giant released regional findings from theSecurity Intelligence Report (SIR), Volume 21, a twice-yearly report thatprovides unique insights into the threat landscape to help organisations learnabout trend data in industry vulnerabilities, exploits, malware and web-basedattacks.
The latest report identified Asia Pacificmarkets--especially emerging markets--as among those facing the highest risk ofcyber security threats. Three out of the top five global spots for the rate ofmalware encounters in the region.
The new edition of the Microsoft SecurityIntelligence Report covers threat data from the first half of 2016, based onanalysis of threat information from over a billion systems worldwide. Alsoincluded are longer-term trend data and detailed threat profiles for over 100individual markets and regions.
Out of the top five locations across the globe most at risk of infection, twoare located in Southeast Asia: Vietnam and Indonesia. Both locations had amalware encounter rate of more than 45 percent in the second quarter of 2016,which is more than double the worldwide average of over 21 percent during thesame period.
Other top markets under malware threats include large developing markets andSoutheast Asia countries – Mongolia, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Cambodia, thePhilippines, Thailand and India – each with encounter rates of more than 30 percent.
However, markets in the region with higher levels of IT maturity such as Japan,Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore havedisplayed malware encounter rates that are below the worldwide average,highlighting the diverse cyber security landscape in the Asia Pacific.
Thereport showed that the top most encountered malicious software families in AsiaPacific include Gamarue, a worm which can give a malicious hacker control ofyour PC, steal information and change PC security settings; lodbak, atrojan that is usually installed on removable drives by Gamarue, and whichattempts to install Gamarue when the infected removable drive is connected to acomputer; and dynamer, a trojan which can steal personal information, downloadmore malware or give hackers access to computers.-VNA
The Institute for Cyber Security Research and Training (CSO) has launched a training system for cyber security simulations, the first of its kind in Vietnam.
Various activities will be held under the theme “new era of cyber security” in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from November 15 to December 5 as part of Vietnam Information Security Day.
Three Vietnamese engineers have won Gold Award at The Global AI Challenge for Building E&M Facilities 2025, held in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (China).
With the government's strong direction and active participation from businesses and citizens, national digital transformation is deepening, with a focus on building a digital government, economy, and society.
VietNEST (Vietnamese Nurturing Education for Science & Traditions) is a mobile app and digital platform for Vietnamese language learning among overseas children.
The networks bring together universities, research institutes and domestic and foreign businesses. Members will work closely in training, research, and technology transfer by sharing curricula, improving faculty capacity, providing access to laboratories and research facilities, and jointly implementing science and technology projects.
The Better Choice Awards (BCA) 2025 is a key highlight in the lead-up to Vietnam Innovation Day that falls on October 1, an annual event expected to attract hundreds of innovative enterprises, research institutions, investment funds, and startups from both Vietnam and abroad.
The new line serves as a critical backup route, strategically complementing existing submarine cables and enhancing the resilience, proactivity, and security of Vietnam’s telecommunications infrastructure.
Vietnam is actively yet cautiously preparing for the construction of its first nuclear power plant in Ninh Thuan (now the south-central coastal province of Khanh Hoa). The resumption of the programme after years of suspension carries considerable significance for the nation’s development in a new era as it strives to gradually reduce and ultimately phase out coal-fired power to realise the Government’s commitment to Net Zero by 2050.
The government leader reaffirmed Vietnam’s goal of achieving self-reliance in the design, manufacturing, and test of necessary semiconductor chips by no later than 2027.
With the launching of its two-tier local administration model, the city is incorporating technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain to enhance service delivery for citizens and businesses, aligning with the Politburo’s Resolution 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation.
Vietnam has issued many key policies to support semiconductor development, notably the Politburo’s Resolution 57 on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. Other initiatives include the Semiconductor Industry Development Strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2050, and the Human Resources Development Programme for the Semiconductor Industry.
Vietnam is no longer just an emerging blockchain market, it is stepping into a leadership role, with global investors, developers, and experts recognising its growing potential to become a leading hub for digital assets in the region.
Taking place on August 1–2, the event features more than 20,000 attendees and over 200 speakers from Vietnam, the h Korea, Singapore, the UAE, Hong Kong (China) and the US.
Dung directed the Ministry of Science and Technology to revise the national startup scheme, ensuring it clearly defines the scope and content, grounded on strong political and legal foundations, international best practices, and well-reasoned arguments for submission to the Government.
The two-day academic forum, themed “Resilience, Sustainability & Digital Transformation in a Changing World: Perspectives from Southeast Asia”, aims to share interdisciplinary research insights, focusing on adaptive capacity, sustainable development, and digital transformation amid evolving global and regional landscapes.
With such a rapid economic growth, Vietnam must diversify energy sources and nuclear power is a rational choice to ensure the national energy security, said Associate Professor Kei Koga from the Nanyang Technological University (Singapore).
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung emphasised that Vietnam has a clear strategy and ambition in this field, and is rapidly emerging as a central hub and key link in the regional and global semiconductor value chains.
According to Cushman & Wakefield’s latest Asia-Pacific Data Centre Investment Landscape report, Vietnam now ranks second in the region for data centre investment returns, with a yield on cost (YoC) of 17.5–18.8%, just behind Singapore’s 21–23%.
Vietnam is taking drastic yet cautious steps in building a culture of nuclear safety and security, with the aim of having its first nuclear power plant operational by the end of 2030 and using this specific energy source effectively and sustainably.
Vietnam’s 5G strategy has been clearly outlined in national digital technology and infrastructure policies. A wide range of solutions is being vigorously implemented to achieve the target of an average internet speed of 100 Mbps by 2025 and full nationwide 5G coverage by 2030.
Illustrative image (Source: internet) 
