The theme reflects the strong political determination of the Party and Government, as well as the aspirations of the entire nation - to make digital technology a key driver of development and ensure that digital transformation becomes a tangible part of everyday life, delivering practical benefits to both citizens and businesses.

All citizens must be served on digital platforms

Speaking at the event, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung stated: “We can be proud that Vietnam has emerged as one of the fastest-growing nations in digital government and digital economy development in the region. Public awareness has shifted markedly; institutions and policies are steadily improving; digital infrastructure is being robustly developed; and capabilities in telecommunications, data centers, cloud computing, and information security have been significantly enhanced.”

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, it's time to shift from "awareness" to "capability," from "digitization" to "value creation," transforming determination into action and action into measurable results.

Statistics show that 80% of public services are now fully processed in digital environments, the digital economy accounts for nearly 20% of GDP, hundreds of thousands of public servants have been trained in digital skills, and the grassroots-level digital technology community network now spans the entire country.

However, he also candidly pointed out existing bottlenecks in the digital transformation journey: many policies lag behind rapid technological advances; digital data remains fragmented; inter-agency data sharing is still limited; digital human resources are insufficient; and in some areas, digital transformation remains superficial and symbolic.

The Government aims to make digital transformation a core foundation for economic growth, a key driver of innovation, and a pillar of sustainable development in the coming period.

Each official, civil servant, and citizen must become a “digital citizen” - capable of using, leveraging, and innovating value in the digital realm.

By 2026, 100% of adults are expected to have a digital identity, a payment account, and access to public service portals. This is not merely a technological target but a government commitment to equitable access and benefits in the digital age.

“Every citizen must be served on digital platforms. All transactions with the State must be simple, swift, transparent, and user-friendly. Every public service must reach the people, regardless of location or living conditions,” Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung affirmed.

When technology brings happiness to the people

Speaking at the conference, Standing Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan noted that after five years of implementation, Vietnam has moved beyond the initial start-up phase and entered a period of expansive development.

“From the early unfamiliarity, through the National Digital Transformation Program, digital transformation has now spread widely, permeating all aspects of people’s lives - from the use of VNeID, Zalo calls, to online public services,” he said.

The effectiveness of digital transformation is clearly visible: the rate of fully online administrative procedures has reached nearly 40%, a ninefold increase compared to 2019. Vietnam’s digital government ranking has climbed 15 places according to the United Nations' 2022 assessment.

Key digital platforms such as the National Population Database, the Land Database, the National Public Service Portal, and the Government’s virtual meeting system have been established and are functioning effectively, laying the groundwork for a comprehensive digital ecosystem.

According to Deputy Minister Quan, the next five years (2026–2030) will see deeper digital transformation, focusing on generating tangible socio-economic value.

“We are not transforming digitally for the sake of a trend, but to achieve high growth, increase labor productivity, and improve people’s quality of life. As traditional growth drivers like cheap labor and natural resources are nearing their limits, digital transformation is becoming the new engine of growth,” he stressed.

He added that digital transformation outcomes must be measured by their contributions to economic growth, productivity, and national competitiveness.

Deputy Minister Vu Hai Quan also emphasized a key factor: people will only truly participate in digital transformation when it is convenient, safe, and protective of their interests. Therefore, a core task is to build a safe, civilized digital environment where each citizen is equipped with the skills to protect themselves from cybersecurity risks, while enjoying a diverse and enriching digital ecosystem.

“Digital culture and digital ethics must be prioritized. ‘Putting people at the center’ must remain the guiding principle when designing policies and implementing technologies. Only when digital transformation is embedded in real life, addressing public concerns and bringing happiness to the people, will it truly resonate and become a nationwide movement,” Quan concluded.

Recognizing digital transformation pioneers

At the event, the Ministry of Science and Technology honored collectives and individuals leading the national digital transformation movement. These were organizations, localities, and individuals who exemplified proactivity, creativity, and determination.

The honored list includes: Da Nang City People’s Committee, Hue City People’s Committee, Phuong Duc Commune (Hanoi), Bai Chay Ward (Quang Ninh), teacher Nguyen Thi Thu Hien - Principal of Huong Sen Kindergarten (Tuyen Quang), and Mr. Le Cong Thanh (Hanoi).

Also at the event, the Ministry announced the 2024 Digital Transformation Index (DTI) rankings for centrally governed provinces and cities.

Thai Khang