On the morning of September 21, 2025, at Vietnam–Korea University of Information and Communication Technology (VKU), the University of Danang, the academic atmosphere came alive with a dual event: the Cybersecurity Workshop and the Closing Ceremony of the Final Round of the “Digital Dragons: The Cybersecurity Challenge” (DDC 2025). This marked the conclusion of an intellectual journey where the nation’s 25 most outstanding teams showcased their skills, passion, and creativity in cybersecurity.

Program Overview

In attendance, on behalf of the Organizing Committee, were Dr. Tran The Son, Vice Rector of VKU – Head of the Organizing Committee, and Mr. Chew Teck Shiong, COO of EvvoLabs Singapore – Co-Chair of the Organizing Committee, along with representatives of VKU leadership. The program was also honored by the presence of Mr. To Hong Nam – Deputy Director General of the Department of Science, Technology and Information (Ministry of Education and Training), Mr. Thai Thanh Hai – Office of the Da Nang Party Committee, Mr. Tran Quoc Huy – Deputy Director of the Information Infrastructure Development Center (IID), Mr. Nguyen Dinh Trong – Director of ISTICK Co., Ltd., Mr. Nguyen Manh Luat – COO of Cyber Jutsu, together with representatives from sponsoring organizations such as BIDV Hai Van Branch, Agribank Tan Chinh Branch, Sun World Ba Na Hills, and AGEST. More than 200 VKU students and members of 25 finalist teams from 14 universities across Vietnam joined, creating a vibrant academic space filled with knowledge, enthusiasm, and ambition.

Dr. Tran The Son, Vice Rector of VKU delivering the closing remarks

In his closing speech, Dr. Tran The Son, Vice Rector of VKU, Head of the Organizing Committee, emphasized that DDC 2025 has proven itself as a prestigious national-level academic arena, where students not only demonstrated professional competence but also affirmed their courage, creativity, and determination to conquer knowledge. He stressed that the true success of the competition lies not only in the awards but also in the journey of learning, experiencing, and connecting. “I believe that from DDC 2025, more young talents will continue to be nurtured, grow, and become cybersecurity experts contributing to safeguarding Vietnam’s digital space. See you again at DDC 2026 – an even more groundbreaking and brilliant season.”

Mr. Chew Teck Shiong – COO of EvvoLabs delivering his speech

Representing the co-organizer, Mr. Chew Teck Shiong, COO of EvvoLabs, extended congratulations and expressed admiration for the skills, creativity, and progressive spirit of the teams at DDC 2025. “You have demonstrated strong practical skills, sharp analytical thinking, and above all, resilient teamwork throughout the competition. EvvoLabs is honored to accompany VKU on this journey of discovering and nurturing young cybersecurity talents. We believe this platform will empower Vietnamese students to go further, contributing not only to Vietnam but also to the global tech community. DDC will remain a bridge that brings Vietnamese students closer to the world.”

Mr. To Hong Nam, Deputy Director General of the Department of Science, Technology and Information, Ministry of Education and Training sharing his remarks

Mr. To Hong Nam, Deputy Director General of the Department of Science, Technology and Information (MOET), recognized VKU’s and its partners’ efforts in organizing a prestigious academic competition. He also highlighted strategic directions from the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57 on developing high-quality human resources in information technology and cybersecurity. He affirmed that DDC 2025 is a testament to the spirit of innovation in higher education, contributing to the training of young professionals who will drive the nation’s digital transformation.

The DDC 2025 finals gathered 25 teams from 14 universities, who had previously surpassed the online preliminary round featuring 146 teams and 573 contestants nationwide. Over 8 hours of intense competition at VKU, the finalists tackled highly challenging tasks ranging from web application exploitation, network analysis, advanced cryptography, binary exploitation, and reverse engineering to real-world cybersecurity simulation scenarios. It was truly a “stage” where intellect, resilience, and creativity were tested to the fullest.

The Organizing Committee presenting awards to the outstanding teams

In the end, the CyberCh1ck team from the Academy of Cryptography Techniques (Hanoi) claimed the First Prize with an outstanding performance and strategic gameplay. UIT.The Lost Beyond from the University of Information Technology – VNU-HCM won Second Prize, while Ruby Chan from the Academy of Cryptography Techniques – HCMC Campus earned Third Prize. In addition, the Organizing Committee presented 5 Consolation Prizes and other promising and special awards, with a total prize value of nearly VND 40 million.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Luat – CEO of Cyber Jutsu presenting his report at the Cybersecurity Workshop

As part of DDC 2025, the Cybersecurity Workshop offered enriching academic experiences for students and the tech community. Two final-year VKU students, Huynh Vinh Vinh and Vo Duc Tin, presented their project “AI Powered Autonomous Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing,” while Phan Thanh Tuan and Vo Van Bao introduced “Autonomous SOC Triage System,” showcasing creativity and the strong connection between education, research, and industry practice. The workshop was further inspired by the sharing of Mr. Nguyen Manh Luat – CEO of Cyber Jutsu, with the message: “Hack to Learn, Not Learn to Hack”, encouraging students to approach hacking as a constructive way of learning to enhance security skills and adopt the right mindset in technology.

The closing ceremony of DDC 2025 concluded with joy and pride, leaving a strong impression of the intellect, courage, and creativity of technology students nationwide. The competition not only crowned worthy champions but also sowed seeds of inspiration and affirmed the aspirations of Vietnamese youth to conquer knowledge. From this year’s success, DDC 2026 promises to reach even greater heights, spreading the spirit of learning and the resilience of students in the digital era. See you again at the next DDC season – where the “tech warriors” will continue writing even more brilliant achievements.

Center for Learning Resource and Communication

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