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Vietnam "Must Prepare Now" for Quantum Security Risks

Security2 min read

Experts in Ho Chi Minh City say Vietnam must prepare now for quantum computer threats to data security. Quantum computers could one day break the codes that protect banks, public services and key infrastructure.

Experts warn Vietnam to act now

At an event on data safety and cyber security in the quantum age, Le Quoc Cuong, a member of a Ho Chi Minh City advisory group on science and digital change, said the country must prepare. He warned that finance, banking, public services and essential digital systems could face the risk of being fully cracked once powerful quantum computers exist. The event was held on the sidelines of the Autumn Economic Forum 2026 (AEF 2026), organised by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee.

What is a quantum computer?

A normal computer stores information as bits, which are either 0 or 1. A quantum computer uses qubits, which can be in both 0 and 1 at the same time. This lets it run many calculations at once. It can solve hard problems that normal computers would need years to finish. That same power could break the codes used to keep data secret today.

Key facts

  • Attackers may collect encrypted data now and decrypt it later, when quantum computers are strong enough. Experts call this 'Harvest Now, Decrypt Later'.
  • Stephen Oh, of Korea Quantum Computing (KQC), said most encrypted data today could be collected and stored.
  • Experts once expected quantum computers to break encryption around 2035. Oh said the real pace is faster.
  • Switching to post-quantum cryptography (PQC), which means new codes that resist quantum attacks, can take many years for a large system.

Why it matters

Banks, government services and digital signatures all depend on encryption. If these codes fail, private data and national digital sovereignty could be at risk. Experts say waiting until attacks are real may be too late, because moving to new encryption takes years of testing and change across whole systems.

What to watch

  • Whether Vietnamese banks and large companies start checking which codes they use today.
  • How quickly banks and companies decide how much money to spend on quantum-safe security.
  • Whether regulators set clear rules or timelines for switching to post-quantum codes.

Glossary

Harvest Now, Decrypt Later
A plan where attackers steal encrypted data today and unlock it later with a strong quantum computer.
Korea Quantum Computing (KQC)
A Korean company working on quantum computing technology.

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