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Vietnam’s digital landscape epitomises connectivity and potential, with nearly 80% of its population immersed in the online world and a vast mobile phone user base. The presence of 64,000 digital technology enterprises, alongside 1,500 businesses with international revenue streams, underscores the country’s readiness for further digital expansion and economic integration.
Despite these promising figures, Vietnam’s IT infrastructure faces significant limitations. The pace of development in telecommunications and IT infrastructure falls short of the requirements for emerging technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and smart manufacturing. Compounding this challenge is the sluggish implementation of a national shared database, hampering data accessibility and utilisation for innovative digital solutions.
Recognising the critical need for infrastructure modernisation, the Prime Minister issued a decisive directive at the year’s beginning to chart a comprehensive plan for information and communications infrastructure development over the next decade and beyond.
This forward-looking strategy aims to harness resources efficiently, bridge the gap between digital and physical development, and propel Vietnam into a new era of socio-economic advancement and global competitiveness.
Central to the plan is the creation of a secure and robust environment conducive to the growth of the digital government, economy, and society. This entails integrating postal networks, digital infrastructure, IT industry facilities, and national digital transformation platforms while prioritising cyber information safety and cybersecurity systems.
By fostering collaboration and coherence across sectors, the plan seeks to address regional disparities and leverage geographical advantages to drive equitable development.
The successful execution of the plan hinges on proactive engagement from various stakeholders, including government bodies, private enterprises, and local authorities. Key initiatives include policy formulation to incentivise investment, technological innovation, and business model diversification in digital infrastructure. Moreover, mobilising social resources and fostering public-private partnerships will be pivotal in expanding and modernising the nation’s information infrastructure.
Critical to the plan’s success is the establishment of multi-purpose national and regional data centres built to national and international standards. These facilities will serve as the backbone of a transformed data ecosystem, facilitating efficient data collection, storage, management, integration, and sharing. Additionally, a concerted effort to train and upskill 500,000 high-quality IT professionals by 2025 underscores the commitment to meet the evolving demands of the digital age.
OpenGov Asia reported that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasised the critical importance of accelerating Project 06, aimed at advancing resident data, electronic identification, and authentication applications to drive Vietnam’s national digital transformation agenda forward until 2025, with a strategic vision extending to 2030.
During an online conference evaluating progress in the project’s implementation, PM Chinh acknowledged the collaborative efforts of ministries, sectors, and localities in overcoming various challenges, including regulatory hurdles and resource constraints. Significant achievements include legislative reforms, simplification of administrative procedures, and improvements in cybersecurity measures and data connectivity. Tangible benefits have been realised, with essential public services accessible online, leading to substantial cost savings for the State and society.
PM Chinh stressed the need for expedited regulatory formulation, administrative procedure streamlining, and comprehensive evaluation of services provided through the VNeID e-identification app. Additionally, efforts were directed towards enhancing digital infrastructure, fostering data sharing, and ensuring compliance with personal data protection regulations, reflecting Vietnam’s commitment to leveraging digital technologies for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
Ultimately, the successful implementation of Vietnam’s ambitious infrastructure development plan promises to unlock new opportunities and propel the nation toward rapid, sustainable socio-economic growth. By embracing digital transformation and fostering a supportive ecosystem, Vietnam aims to harness the full potential of its information and communications sector for the benefit of its citizens and the broader economy.
