Vietnam's 'Summer Digital' Initiative to Become Year-Round

The 'Summer Digital' volunteer initiative, previously conducted in Ho Chi Minh City, is set to become a permanent, year-round activity. This program, operating under the guidance of the Communist Party of Vietnam, aims to empower citizens with digital skills and enhance the digitalization of administrative services, thereby accelerating Vietnam's broader digital transformation efforts. During the 2026 campaign, significant achievements were reported through the collaboration between the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology and the City Youth Union, with university student volunteers working alongside local residents and authorities. Notably, students from the University of Science, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, contributed through the 'Digital Youth' model, assisting in administrative reforms and digital literacy promotion. They handled 3,946 cases related to electronic identification and online public services, guided 1,104 Party members on using digital applications, trained over 1,000 youths in AI, VR, and digital safety, and digitized 2,450 health records and 880 historical documents. Furthermore, the 'Digital Light' model saw the creation of an online audiobook library website for the visually impaired, recording over 1,200 book readings and 1,000 online interactions. The 'Digital Footprint' model digitized five historical sites and cultural spaces onto multimedia digital maps, aiding in the preservation and dissemination of traditional cultural values. At the local level, the Di An Ward Youth Union implemented 'Digital Adult Education,' instructing residents on using online public services. This resulted in 36,226 residents learning to install and use the 'Ho Chi Minh City Citizen Digital' app, 888 Party members accessing the 'Electronic Party Member Handbook,' and 943 individuals completing four Party administrative procedures online. The Di An Ward Youth Union has proposed continued professional resource linkage from universities, synchronized digital infrastructure investment, and preferential policies for core personnel, advocating for permanent digital technology teams at the neighborhood level. Nguyen Dang Khoa, Deputy Secretary of the City Youth Union, stated that the 'Summer Digital' initiative should evolve from a seasonal campaign into a regular operational method for youth organizations in administrative reform and digital transformation, prioritizing citizen service efficiency. He emphasized that volunteers should leverage their expertise, research capabilities, technology, and AI to solve practical local problems, moving beyond simple assistance to empowering citizens. This aims to cultivate young talent equipped with knowledge, digital skills, and the resolve needed for the city's development in the new era. Dang Minh Thong, Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, urged for innovation in the initiative's methods, linking youth movements with the city's political tasks and development needs. He expressed his expectation that youth will be at the forefront, especially following the National Assembly's approval of the Urban Development Law in August, to directly address new and challenging city issues, and to pioneer technological applications, innovation, and improved public services.