Participants at a policy dialogue titled 'Child Protection in the Digital Environment: Legal Frameworks and Practice of Implementation' in Hà Nội on August 21 morning. — VNS Photo Nguyễn Hằng

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam’s legal framework for protecting children online needs to be further reviewed and improved, while law enforcement must also be strengthened to ensure greater effectiveness, according to Minister of Justice Hoàng Thanh Tùng.

Minister Tùng made the statement on Friday morning in Hà Nội at a policy dialogue titled 'Child Protection in the Digital Environment: Legal Frameworks and Practice of Implementation'.

The policy dialogue was held under the European Union-funded EU JULE II Project on Strengthening the Rule of Law and Justice in Việt Nam for the 2026–30 period.

According to the justice minister, Việt Nam has been developing a legal framework to protect children in the digital environment, with relevant provisions in a wide range of legal documents covering children’s rights, criminal law, criminal procedures, cybersecurity, personal data protection and the management and provision of internet services.

Protecting children in the digital environment is no longer simply a matter of theoretical warnings, nor is it the sole responsibility of any individual or group of organisations.

“It has become an urgent national and global imperative, requiring a whole-of-society effort and the highest level of shared responsibility,” Tùng said.

Addressing the dialogue, EU Ambassador to Việt Nam Julien Guerrier said the discussion was “both timely and necessary”, noting that while children are benefiting from digital technologies in unprecedented ways, they are also increasingly exposed to new and evolving forms of harm.

“That demands stronger laws, better implementation and closer cooperation across institutions and sectors,” he said.

The policy dialogue was organised under the EU JULE II programme, the EU’s flagship initiative supporting Việt Nam’s justice sector.

Ambassador Julien said the programme represents a strong and growing partnership between the EU and Việt Nam, reflected in the recent elevation of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The programme is not just a financial contribution, but a practical expression of the EU's long-term partnership with Việt Nam to strengthen justice sector reform, the diplomat remarked

“Every child has the right to safety, dignity, privacy, participation, development and access to justice. In the digital environment, these rights must be upheld just as firmly as in the offline world,” Julien added.

“We are committed to supporting efforts that strengthen the justice sector, uphold children’s rights and build a safer digital environment for every child.”

Silvia Danailov, UNICEF Representative in Việt Nam, noted that digital technologies are transforming children’s lives, creating new opportunities while also exposing them to risks such as cyberbullying, online exploitation and privacy violations.

“Every child has the right to participate in the digital world safely. UNICEF remains committed to supporting Việt Nam in advancing laws and policies that protect children’s rights in the digital age,” she said.

Minister of Justice Hoàng Thanh Tùng delivers a speech at the policy dialogue in Hà Nội on Friday morning. — VNS Photo Nguyễn Hằng

At the dialogue, delegates discussed the current legal framework and orientations for further improvement, as well as the responsibilities of digital platforms and technology companies, protection of children’s personal data, handling of online child abuse, electronic evidence, child-friendly justice and mechanisms for inter-agency and international cooperation.

Discussions and recommendations put forward at the event are expected to provide useful reference material for relevant authorities as they continue to review and improve legislation and enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement to protect children in the digital environment.

The Ministry of Justice also reaffirmed its commitment to continued cooperation with Vietnamese agencies and organisations and international partners, including the EU and UNICEF, to help create a safe, healthy and child-friendly digital environment where children’s rights and best interests are effectively protected.

In Việt Nam, the 2022 ‘Disrupting Harm’ study by ECPAT, INTERPOL and UNICEF found that 89 per cent of children aged 12-17 were internet users, and that 2 per cent of children aged 15-17 reported having exchanged sexual images or videos for money or gifts.

Việt Nam has demonstrated strong leadership in international efforts to combat cybercrime and protect children online.

In April, Việt Nam became the second country in the world to ratify the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (the 'Hanoi Convention'), a landmark treaty that addresses online child sexual abuse and exploitation material, online grooming and other cybercrimes.

This milestone underscores the country’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation and enhancing protection for children in the digital environment.— VNS