Given that Vietnam is a one-party communist state, this development is not unexpected. The Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) is primarily focused on preserving its own interests and maintaining its grip on power. While Tô Lâm’s leadership style may differ from that of his predecessors, it does not alter the CPV’s fundamental priorities. Instead, he has pursued these same interests in a different manner, employing enhanced security measures and digital monitoring to reinforce state authority. Threats to digital rights are likely to intensify as the government further suppresses dissent through new laws and amendments to existing legislation, making the legal environment even more repressive. Information emerging in 2025 also indicates that the country is continuing to evolve into a surveillance state, illustrated by the Digital Citizens initiative and the MPS’s growing stake in the telecommunications sector. Given the current political situation in the country, direct advocacy to the government for human rights and democracy is not feasible. However, there remains scope to explore ways to support groups working to expose human rights violations committed by the Vietnamese communist government. The dissenting voices of these individuals, as well as their safety amid a challenging and hostile environment, need to be protected. 100