Vietnam unveils first homegrown security chip

The chip was jointly developed by the Government Cipher Committee and military-run Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group, which announced the breakthrough at a ceremony held at the Ministry of National Defense headquarters in Hanoi on November 3.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang attended the event, describing the achievement as a milestone in Vietnam's efforts to master core technologies and safeguard its digital sovereignty.

Breakthrough in ‘Make in Vietnam’ security semiconductor technology

This is the first security chip designed entirely under Vietnamese control, with national cryptographic algorithms integrated directly into its hardware.

More than 40 Vietnamese engineers, scientists, and specialists participated in the project.

The Government Cipher Committee's M2 Factory was responsible for developing cryptographic algorithms and setting security standards, while Viettel's Semiconductor Center designed the chip and prepared it for fabrication.

Engineers also incorporated safeguards to protect the design against information leaks and reverse engineering.

Speaking at the ceremony, General Phan Van Giang emphasized that the event marked a significant milestone not only for Vietnam’s cryptographic sector and military but also for the country’s efforts to achieve self-reliance in core technologies and safeguard its digital sovereignty.

"Chips are the heart of digital devices, while cryptography is the shield protecting information," he said, stressing that mastering both technologies is essential to national security and digital sovereignty.

Potential applications across various economic and social sectors

Lieutenant General Tao Duc Thang, chairman and general director of Viettel, acknowledged the challenges of developing security semiconductors but said Vietnam could gradually narrow the technological gap through focused investment and sustained efforts.

"Being a latecomer does not mean accepting dependence," he said.

The VGC v1.0 chip has initially been deployed in secure USB storage devices for Party, state, and defense agencies.

It is also expected to support Vietnam's national digital signature authentication system, which currently has more than two million digital certificates in circulation.

Beyond national security, the chip could be used to protect banking transactions, financial records, customer data, surveillance cameras, environmental sensors, and other connected devices.

Potential applications also extend to critical infrastructure, including electricity, water supply, oil and gas, and telecommunications.

Lieutenant General Vu Ngoc Thiem, head of the Government Cipher Committee, cautioned that the chip's launch was only the beginning.

He said the technology would require further development, testing, and certification before broader deployment, particularly in systems handling state secrets.

The launch marks a step forward in Vietnam's ambition to build its own security semiconductor ecosystem, though its real-world reliability and effectiveness will need to be demonstrated through continued testing and practical applications.