Vietnam unveiled its first domestically designed security chip, VGC v1.0, on November 3. The launch marks a step toward technological self‑reliance and stronger digital sovereignty.

The chip was jointly developed by the Government Cipher Committee and Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group. Both organisations announced the breakthrough at a ceremony in Hanoi’s Ministry of National Defense headquarters. The VGC v1.0 chip embeds national cryptographic algorithms directly into its hardware, making it the first security chip designed entirely under Vietnamese control.

According to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang, the achievement is a milestone for mastering core technologies and safeguarding digital sovereignty. He said the project aims to reduce Vietnam’s dependence on foreign technology and to achieve self‑reliance in critical tech.

The first use of VGC v1.0 will be in secure USB storage devices for Party, state and defence agencies. The chip is also expected to support the national digital signature authentication system, which already handles more than two million digital certificates.

In short, Vietnam’s homegrown security chip reflects a clear policy to build domestic expertise, protect national data, and lessen reliance on external suppliers. The move highlights how the country is pursuing self‑reliance to secure its digital future.