The first facility under the project of improving computer usage and public internet access (BMGF-VN) was launched in the northern central province of Thanh Hoa on July 30.

Thanh Hoa is one among 12 provinces nationwide chosen to pilot the BMGF-VN project funded by the US’s Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In the first phase of the project, free internet access points will be installed at 52 public libraries in the province with a total of 395 computers, 52 printers and software.

Under the supervision of the Ministry of Information and Communication, the project will be implemented at nearly 2,000 libraries in 40 provinces of Vietnam in the period of 2011-2016.

With a total budget of 50.5 million USD, of which nearly 30 million USD of non-refundable aid come from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the project aims to support public libraries in Vietnam in undertaking their new role in an era of information technology and help people in disadvantaged areas get access to information.-VNA