On August 23-24, 2025, the qualifying round of Digital Dragons: The Cybersecurity Challenge – DDC 2025 was held online. The competition was hosted by Vietnam-Korea University of Information and Communication Technology (VKU), University of Danang, in collaboration with EvvoLab (Singapore), and with technical support from the National Cybersecurity Association (NCA). This year, the contest attracted 146 teams with 573 participants from 28 universities across the country, marking a new milestone in scale, professionalism, and influence within Vietnam’s cybersecurity community.

Registration for DDC 2025 opened on July 8, 2025, via the website digitaldragonsctf.com and quickly received strong interest. Within just one month, 146 teams (including 573 contestants) – representing prestigious universities such as Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Academy of Cryptography Techniques, University of Engineering and Technology (VNU Hanoi), University of Information Technology (VNU HCMC), Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, FPT University, Duy Tan University, and the host VKU – confirmed the competition’s growing appeal and the enthusiasm of students for cybersecurity.

During the two-day qualifier, participants faced a set of advanced and highly practical challenges. From cryptography, web exploitation, digital forensics, and network security to reverse engineering, binary exploitation, OSINT, and phishing detection, each task required a sharp logical mindset, strong problem-solving skills, and effective teamwork. The challenges were designed with increasing levels of difficulty, ensuring that all teams had the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities while also creating clear differentiation to identify the most outstanding competitors.

The qualifier results recognized 25 outstanding teams from 16 universities nationwide that officially advanced to the national finals. Many of these teams came from leading institutions in cybersecurity and information technology, such as the Academy of Cryptography Techniques, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, University of Information Technology (VNU HCMC), University of Engineering and Technology (VNU Hanoi), and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. Notably, VKU also had two qualifying teams: VSL.T1 and VSL.0utl4w. This diverse participation not only increased the level of competition but also affirmed the contest’s prestige in bringing together and discovering promising young talents.

If the qualifier was the stage for “digital warriors” to prove their skills, then the upcoming Final Round on September 20, 2025 at VKU – Da Nang promises to be a grand arena where teams will compete face-to-face in an intense and thrilling atmosphere. It will be an opportunity for contestants’ intelligence, creativity, and strategic thinking to be tested at the highest level.

With the collaboration between VKU and EvvoLab, and the technical support of NCA, DDC 2025 is not simply a competition but also a meaningful platform with wide-reaching impact. Now in its third year, the contest aims to connect young talents, encourage creativity and boldness among technology students, and actively contribute to the development of a high-quality workforce in Vietnam’s cybersecurity sector.

Digital Dragons: The Cybersecurity Challenge – DDC 2025 is entering its most crucial stage. The upcoming final will be the arena where the best teams showcase their talent, intelligence, and determination. Let’s look forward to an explosive showdown of young cybersecurity warriors as we crown the well-deserved champion.

Center for Learning Resource and Communication

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