Human rights in the digital age in Vietnam

Vietnam always strives and innovates to improve people's lives and ensure human rights, especially human rights in the digital transformation process.

Vietnam was elected as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York (USA). (Source: Vietnamese Delegation in New York)

Many benefits from digital technology

Over the years, one of the factors that has created Vietnam's reputation in international relations is that our Party and State have always affirmed a progressive and positive viewpoint on human rights, creating conditions for all people to enjoy their rights.

Currently, the number of Internet users in Vietnam has reached more than 70 million people, ranking 12th in the world and 6th in Asia. Telecommunications infrastructure has covered 99.8% of the population and fiber optic Internet has reached 98% of wards and communes. The rate of social network users also accounts for 78% of the population.

It is undeniable that digital transformation has brought about changes in social life. In Vietnam, people have received many benefits from digital transformation and the Internet. Thanks to digital transformation, people have become accustomed to online public services and have enjoyed many values that the Internet brings.

The development of the Internet and digital technology has opened up great potential for socio-economic development for the country. Digital utilities and services are gradually being spread across the country. Moreover, the emergence and development of services, applications, and technology products on digital platforms have brought about rapid changes in economic and social development. Vietnam has also achieved many achievements in the digital transformation process, ensuring human rights as well as Internet freedom.

However, the emergence and strong, continuous development of network services are also giving rise to many complex problems. Many warnings of risks come from transactions in the digital environment. In particular, fake news and unverified information have a significant impact on the protection of human rights as well as the privacy of individuals and businesses. Therefore, it is necessary to have appropriate, predictable policies, strategies and guidelines to address challenges and take advantage of opportunities that the Internet brings.

In the digital age, with the strong and unlimited development of information technology, people also face many risks, challenges, and human rights are affected. (Source: CAND)

Ensuring human rights in cyberspace

In today's globalized and internationally integrated world, a country's positive image is increasingly valued, attracting the attention of the international community, affecting the country's socio-economic development as well as its competitiveness. Therefore, countries increasingly pay attention to building, promoting and enhancing the national image. In Vietnam, protecting human rights is a consistent viewpoint, running through all the guidelines, policies and strategies of the Party and State.

It can be said that the Industrial Revolution 4.0 and artificial intelligence change the way people live, work and interact with each other in the digital society, while also raising issues of security and personal privacy. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the benefits and challenges in cyberspace in terms of protecting human rights.

Experts say that there should be policies to manage activities in cyberspace. In particular, there should be regulations to ensure human rights in the digital transformation process, so that no one is left behind. According to statistics from the Ministry of Public Security, personal data of more than 2/3 of Vietnam's population is being stored, posted, shared and collected in cyberspace in many different forms and levels. Therefore, the important issue is how to both manage and use effectively and protect personal data.

In the digital age, the control and collection of personal information and behavioral data of each individual is an undeniable risk. To protect human rights in cyberspace, Vietnam has issued the Law on Cyber Security, the Law on Electronic Transactions, the Law on Information Technology... In which, there are specific regulations on the rights of people when using and doing business on the Internet.

The Government has also issued Decree 13 on Personal Data Protection, which will take effect from July 1, 2023. This solution will contribute to protecting personal privacy, human rights, civil rights and cyber security. Notably, Decree 13 is adopted and harmonized with international practices on personal data protection and human rights.

Notably, Vietnam is one of the first countries in the world to issue a national digital transformation program. In the process, Vietnam has built an important legal corridor to better ensure human rights from civil, political, economic, social to cultural and educational rights.

Many experts have expressed the view that human rights should be protected in cyberspace just as they are protected in real life. The nature of our state is a developmental state, a state that serves the people, and human rights are always the goal of development.

After nearly 40 years of innovation, Vietnam has become a bright spot of growth in the ASEAN region and the world with many remarkable achievements. It is worth noting that our country always ensures human rights, especially human rights in the digital transformation process; strives and innovates to improve people's lives and ensure social security.

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