Cybercrime in Vietnam:

: a critical analysis of its regulatory framework

Abstract

This research is a critical analysis of cybercrime and its regulatory framework in Vietnam. Starting in October 2013, it was the first research study, on cybercrime, funded by the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security. It explores critically i) how cybercrime is defined by high-level professionals from key regulatory institutions in Vietnam; ii) the extent to which the current Vietnamese Cybercrime Regulation Policies (VCRPs) are fit for its intended purposes. It also examines the key factors that make cybercrime difficult and challenging for Vietnamese authorities to regulate; and possible preventative measures that can be put in place to reduce the occurrence and growth of cybercrime in Vietnam.

Based on document analysis and 35 semi-structured interviews of high-level professionals from key regulatory institutions in Vietnam, this research presents two sets of findings in Chapter 4 (document analysis) and Chapter 5 (semi-structured interviews). The findings show that there are several characteristics of cybercrime in Vietnam that have posed significant difficulties and challenges for Vietnamese authorities to regulate. These include: i) the presence of multiple opportunities to commit cybercrime; ii) the transnational nature of the crimes; and iii) the anonymity of cybercriminals, and in cyberspace in general. In addition, the research also points out some limitations of the current VCRPs, including problems over jurisdiction, the lack of legal coverage of cybercriminal activities, and the present state of the legal language used. These limitations make the current VCRPs less effective in fulfilling their intended purposes. This thesis concludes by stressing the important roles of computer users, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), and the Police play in regulating cybercrime. It also stresses the importance of education and increasing awareness in tackling cybercrime in the Vietnamese context.

Date of Award	Apr 2019
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Portsmouth
Supervisor	Victoria Wang (Supervisor)