Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Pham Duc Long speaks at the seminar – Photo: VGP
Deputy Minister of Science and Technology (MOST) Pham Duc Long emphasized this point at the seminar titled "Digital Transformation – The Vital Link Between the Two Levels of Local Government", jointly organized by the Government Portal and the Office of the People’s Committee of Hanoi on July 24.
Speaking at the seminar, Deputy Minister Pham Duc Long highlighted the importance of digital infrastructure as a key factor in building a streamlined, effective, and efficient administrative system and in implementing the two-tier local government model.
As early as April 7, the Ministry of Science and Technology issued detailed guidelines for all 63 provinces and cities on the process of upgrading information systems to support administrative procedures and local government operations. The Ministry also cooperated with the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee to pilot the upgrade of five information systems, as HCMC, being a merger of three large provinces, has a complex information system structure.
Based on the pilot results, on June 16, the Ministry held a comprehensive training session for all 63 localities. Plan No. 02 of the Central Steering Committee for Resolution 57 was also implemented vigorously with five online meetings chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Chí Dũng to ensure the seamless, synchronized, and effective operation of the administrative apparatus.
In parallel, ministries and sectors were required to publicly disclose all administrative procedures in accordance with the principles of decentralization and delegation. MOST also directed cooperation with digital technology enterprises to configure systems and provide technical support down to the commune level, while mobilizing support forces from postal enterprises (VNPost, Viettel Post), among others.
Thanks to these efforts, as of July 1, when the two-tier local government model was rolled out nationwide, the provision of public services, handling of administrative procedures, government operations, and video conferencing from central to local levels have been operating relatively smoothly.
While the initial results are commendable, Deputy Minister Phạm Đức Long also frankly pointed out the remaining challenges and obstacles during the initial implementation phase. MOST has established an inter-agency working group to conduct field surveys in four localities, working with over 11 communes and wards, and initially identified 25 issue groups.
“In fact, the issues are not major, but due to the urgency of the timeline, the transition process did not have enough preparation time,” said Deputy Minister Pham Duc Long.
Some of the challenges include: incomplete configuration of administrative procedures, unsynchronized internal processes, inaccurate e-forms, inadequate infrastructure post-merger, shortage of qualified personnel at the commune level, lack of integrated data connections, and incomplete digital signatures.
MOST has reported these issues to the Government and included them in the six-month preliminary review of the Steering Committee on Digital Transformation, Science and Technology, and Project 06 (held on July 21). This week, the Ministry will continue to advise the Prime Minister to convene a meeting to assign responsibilities and develop a roadmap to address the identified issues.
Seminar “Digital Transformation – The Vital Link Between the Two Levels of Local Government” – Photo: VGP
Drawing from practical implementation, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Pham Duc Long emphasized three fundamental pillars for digital transformation.
Among these, institutional frameworks must “lead the way.” According to Deputy Minister Pham Duc Long, digital transformation is not merely the application of technology, but a fundamental change in governance and operational models. Therefore, institutions must be designed in advance to guide this transformation.
The recent approval by the National Assembly of five new laws in the fields of science, technology, and innovation—particularly the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation, which includes provisions for policy experimentation (sandbox)—marks a strong step forward.
The Deputy Minister also shared that the Ministry of Science and Technology has been tasked with drafting the Law on Digital Transformation. This is a highly complex and novel piece of legislation, with no global precedent.
“However, given the need and urgency for a legal framework to support digital transformation, we are boldly developing this law. It will establish a legal corridor for the country’s digital transformation efforts,” Deputy Minister Pham Duc Long stated.
Regarding infrastructure, Deputy Minister Pham Duc Long stressed two particularly important elements: data and shared platforms. Data must be “accurate – sufficient – clean – live – shareable,” and must be interconnected and consistently utilized from the central government down to the grassroots level. Plan 02 has set a goal to build 12 core databases, 116 national and sectoral databases, and to implement 1,139 administrative procedures using data instead of paper documents by the end of 2025.
“If we do not have data, or if that data is not shared with localities and communes, we simply cannot provide end-to-end online public services for citizens,” the Deputy Minister emphasized.
As for shared digital platforms, the Ministry has issued 55 platforms to date. Ministries and sectors are responsible for rolling these out so that localities can use them, thereby avoiding redundant and wasteful investments.
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has launched the campaign for a “Digital Literacy Movement.” According to the Deputy Minister, digital literacy should be understood as a third language—alongside Vietnamese and English.
“In the upcoming draft of the Digital Transformation Law, we plan to include this ‘third language’ in mandatory educational and training programs to prepare future generations and the public. Only when people can interact with machines as fluently as using a language can we truly thrive in the digital environment and be innovative within it, beyond just acquiring digital skills,” Deputy Minister Pham Duc Long noted.
To achieve true success in digital transformation, Deputy Minister Pham Duc Long highlighted three critical lessons:
First, leadership is the decisive factor. True digital transformation cannot occur if leaders do not directly engage with, direct, and oversee the transformation process. Resolution 57 has affirmed this role as part of the performance evaluation for key officials.
Second, data is the foundation. Ministries, sectors, and localities must ensure that data is “accurate, sufficient, clean, live,” and especially, “shareable.” Data must be complete—100%—as even a small percentage of missing data can prevent the successful implementation of end-to-end online processes. The principle is that citizens and businesses should only provide their data once, after which the system must be capable of reusing it, avoiding repeated updates.
Third, digital transformation requires continuous change, constant updating, and ongoing development. Therefore, ministries, sectors, and local governments must work alongside enterprises—not only in deployment, but also in operation and improvement. Only with this mindset can digital transformation truly take root in practice and effectively serve both citizens and businesses.
Source: VGP (Vietnam Government Portal)
