Over 1.1 Million Vietnamese Students Compete in Cybersecurity Challenge

Hanoi recently hosted the grand finale of the "Students with Cybersecurity 2026" competition, a remarkable initiative that saw an astounding 1.125 million middle school students from 6,840 schools nationwide participate in its preliminary rounds. This overwhelming response, representing 15% of all middle school students in Vietnam, underscores the growing importance and "fever" surrounding cybersecurity skills in our digital age.

The competition is more than just an academic exercise; it serves as a crucial "vaccination" against the myriad threats lurking in the virtual space. As Lieutenant General Le Xuan Minh, Director of the Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention Department (A05) and Executive Vice Chairman of the National Cybersecurity Association, stated, the results reflect not only the students' knowledge but also the immense potential of the younger generation in a field critical for national security.

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The results of the competition not only reflect the students' knowledge but also show the great potential of the young generation in the field of cybersecurity – a strategic field for protecting national security in the new situation.

What makes this event particularly noteworthy from our perspective at Tuổi Trẻ is the impressive reach and engagement across the country. Ho Chi Minh City led in sheer numbers, but Hưng Yên province stood out for its participation rate, with 44.28% of its students joining. Even more inspiring are schools like THCS Long Thạnh in Cà Mau, where 100% of students participated, and THCS Đông Hòa in Ho Chi Minh City, with a record 3,578 entrants. This widespread enthusiasm, extending to mountainous regions, demonstrates a national commitment to equipping our youth with essential digital defense skills.

This initiative aligns perfectly with Vietnam's broader digital transformation goals. By fostering these skills early, we are not just protecting individual students from online harms like fraud, bullying, and misinformation, but also building a more resilient digital society. Colonel, Dr. Nguyen Hong Quan of A05 emphasized that this competition is a vital step in cultivating responsible, safe, and civilized internet usage habits among the youth, fostering crucial collaboration between authorities, educators, schools, and families. This holistic approach is key to safeguarding our young citizens in the evolving online landscape, a perspective that resonates deeply within our national priorities.

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The success of this year's competition continues to affirm that educating students in digital skills and cybersecurity skills is the right, necessary, and practically effective direction.