Digital technology has found its way into every governmental, economic and social activity, says Deputy Minister of Information and Telecommunications Nguyen Huy Dung. (Photo: VNA)Digital transformation has become a trend in the wake ofCOVID-19, Dung said, it is a new engine driving the country’s socio-economicdevelopment and facilitating virus response and economic recovery.
Digital technology has found its way into everygovernmental, economic and social activity, he noted.
In Da Nang, people can register for electricity supply andpay power bills with smart phones. Village chiefs in Lang Son become heads ofcommunity-based technology groups who teach the villagers how todevelop a digital shop on e-commerce platforms, helping raise sales ofagricultural products by 174 times. In Quang Ninh, the chairman of theprovincial People’s Committee can check progress of public administrativeservices delivery from his office through a digital system.
At an early stage, the national digital transformation andthe journey towards a digital economy and society still have a long way to go.Every people, every business is increasingly aware of how digital technologiesare making profound changes in all areas, particularly in the delivery ofpublic administrative and healthcare services, said Nguyen Van Khoa, Chairmanof the Vietnam Software Association (VINASA).
The national portal for public administrative services havebecome operational for over a year, with nearly 3,000 services made available.The remote medical consultation and support network Telehealth connectingaround 1,000 clinics nationwide has bridged the gap in service quality amongregions and reduced overloads at centralized hospitals. Many hospitals nowprovide digital health records, remote health services and e-payments.
Do Cong Anh, Director of the Ministry of Information andTelecommunications’ Information Technology Application, emphasised that it isnot only about technology and equipment but also regulatory frameworks, policies,awareness and personnel. Technology only contributes some 20 percent to anorganisation’s successful digital transformation while the remaining 80 percentdepends on its awareness and how its personnel translate digital plans intoreality, according to Anh.
By 2030, Vietnam sets to develop a e-government and digitaleconomy which contributes around 30 percent to the GDP. The country also aimsto be among the top 50 countries in e-government development and the third inASEAN by the end of this decade./.
VNA
