Việt Nam is prioritizing cybersecurity and quantum technology to build research capacity, cultivate talent, and enhance self-reliance amidst a global scientific and security competition. The Communist Party's Resolution 57 and a prime ministerial decision have established quantum as a strategic technology, providing a policy foundation for research and development. While funding for quantum startups is increasing, advanced economies are imposing export controls on critical components, posing challenges for emerging nations. Experts emphasize that Việt Nam must act decisively to secure a position in the quantum value chain, learning from regional leaders like Singapore and developing countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. To bolster its efforts, Việt Nam plans to host a Southeast Asia Quantum Hackathon and an ASEAN Quantum Summit. The nation aims for significant GDP expansion, a larger digital economy, and developed economy status by 2045, with net-zero emissions by 2050, arguing that early investment in quantum is crucial for future economic growth and competitiveness. Despite a current thin capacity in fragmented research, scarce training, and modest infrastructure, Việt Nam's new Institute for Quantum Technology at VNU Hanoi will serve as a hub for development and collaboration, focusing on early-stage applications like secure communications and precision sensing.