Unresolved Dilemmas in Prosecuting Transnational Cybercrime
Insights from Vietnam’s Legal System
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.19184/ejlh.v13i2.53788Abstract
This study examines the dilemmas associated with prosecuting transnational cybercrime through the case of Vietnam, where concerns regarding State sovereignty intersect with the realities of a borderless cyberspace. Employing a structural case study approach, the analysis draws on Vietnam’s 2015 Criminal Code, the Palermo Convention (2004), and a range of scholarly sources to examine three interrelated challenges, such as jurisdictional conflicts, evidentiary obstacles, and international cooperation. The findings indicate that traditional territorial jurisdiction poses significant challenges for Vietnam when crimes occur outside its territory or are committed through distributed digital infrastructures. Overlapping jurisdiction with other States creates legal uncertainty and hinders effective investigation and prosecution. Enforcement is further undermined by evidentiary difficulties, including obstacles, delays in mutual legal assistance, and inconsistent standards for authentication of digital records. International cooperation also remains limited, as Vietnam has not ratified the Budapest Convention, while ASEAN lacks binding legal norms governing cybercrime. Domestically, persistent institutional fragmentation among relevant agencies and limited judicial capacity undermine effective prosecution, as reflected in recent cases involving scam-related fraud targeting Vietnamese citizens. Despite legal reforms and codification in Vietnam, the country’s legal system continues to face challenges in reconciling State sovereignty with the need for international cooperation. The research highlights the need for harmonized jurisdictional rules, common evidentiary practices, and comprehensive frameworks for international cooperation. Accordingly, Vietnam’s experience offers valuable lessons for other developing countries
KEYWORDS: Criminal law reform, digital evidence, international cooperation, sovereignty, transnational cybercrime.
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