The central city of Da Nang has topped the Digital Transformation Index (DTI) 2020 rankings for localities nationwide in all three key pillars, namely, the digital government, digital economy, and digital society. The rankings are a part of the DTI 2020 report, which was released at a conference in Hanoi recently. The report aimed to provide an overview of the digital transformation situation in Vietnam in 2020, helping government ministries, agencies, and localities design solutions to promote their digital transformation in the time to come. Along with Da Nang, the top ten cities and provinces include Thua Thien-Hue, Bac Ninh, Quang Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City, Tien Giang, Can Tho, Ninh Binh, Kien Giang, and Bac Giang.
According to a news report, the DTI 2020 report is based on four major sources:
- Data from reports of ministries, ministry-level agencies, government-run agencies, and centrally-run cities and provinces in 2020
- Data collected from people, entrepreneurs, state officials, and public servants
- Experts’ assessments on digital transformation and information technology
- Evaluations collected through the Internet under the supervision of the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC)
In the rankings for ministries and ministry-level agencies, the Ministry of Finance was placed in the top position with 0.4944 points. It was followed by the State Bank of Vietnam (0.4932 points), the Ministry of Planning and Investment (0.4701 points), the Vietnam Social Security (0.4643 points), and the Ministry of Health (0.4582 points). So far, 12 out of 63 localities nationwide have issued their own resolutions to support digital transformation.
Meanwhile, 50 out of 92 ministries, ministry-level agencies, government-run agencies, and centrally-run cities and provinces have designed programmes or plans for digital transformation in the 2021-2025 period. Last year was the first year that MIC had compiled the Digital Transformation Index of ministries, agencies, and government departments. It was also the first time that a survey had been conducted to collect data serving the work through the official website.
Last year, the government issued the National Digital Transformation Programme to 2025, with a vision to 2030. It aims to develop a digital government, economy, society, as well as form Vietnamese digital technology enterprises capable of going global. Under the strategy, the government aims to use technology to help deliver better quality services, support efficient decision-making, formulate better policies, optimise resources, and aid socio-economic development. Other tasks include operating specialised network infrastructure securely, connecting four administrative levels from the central to the commune level, and building a government cloud computing platform.
Vietnam also intends to develop the National Data Exchange Platform and application platforms on mobile devices for all e-government services. It will complete the National Public Service Portal and build the National Data Portal and a platform for digital collaboration. The strategy outlines the roles and responsibilities of ministries, industries, and local governments in leveraging digital technologies like cloud computing, big data, mobility, the Internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain.
The country intends to be among the top 50 countries in the ICT Development Index as early as 2025. It aims for the digital economy to account for one-third of the country’s GDP by the end of the decade, instead of only 5%. To achieve this, Vietnam must upgrade infrastructure, encourage the application of digital technology, and attract investment to create conditions for small businesses to participate in the digital economy. Vietnam also needs to equip workers with digital skills to help them become more dynamic in adapting to new technologies.
