Vietnam's 100-Day Digital Transformation Push: Local Initiatives Drive Administrative, Economic, and Social Reforms

Local governments across Vietnam are actively implementing intensive 100-day plans to accelerate digital transformation, spearheaded by initiatives in Hanoi. These efforts aim to streamline administrative services, digitize economic activities, and enhance digital literacy across society. In Ô Diên xã, Hanoi, authorities have set a goal to fully transition administrative procedures online, eventually phasing out paper-based applications. They aim to reduce processing times by 50% and halve the required documentation. Economically, the commune targets digital transformation support for 30% of small and medium-sized enterprises and traditional craft villages, while mandating cashless payments in all local markets. Furthermore, businesses with revenues exceeding VND 1 billion will be required to use e-invoices, and 90% of residents are encouraged to use the mobile tax application. Socially, the "Digital Hanoi Citizen" platform is being leveraged to deploy "Digital Hamlet/Neighborhood" models across all residential areas, facilitating online meetings and public feedback. In education, the HanoiCheck system has been introduced to manage nutrition and food safety for school meals. Meanwhile, Phú Nghĩa xã is adopting a community-centric approach. Members of local organizations are visiting households to provide detailed guidance on using essential digital tools such as VNeID (electronic identification), the Hanoi Citizen app, the Public Service Portal, electronic payment systems, and mobile tax apps. The "Digitalization Companion" model pairs union members with several households to address individual needs. A notable initiative from Phú Nghĩa's Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee is the "Fatherland Front - Listening to the People" digitalization model. Through QR codes, citizens can directly submit feedback and proposals to the government on a wide range of issues, including administrative reform, land use, construction, transportation, environment, social welfare, education, healthcare, and security. Submissions undergo a five-step process: receipt, classification, processing, monitoring, and feedback. These concrete local actions are creating foundational changes as Vietnam strives to build a "digital government, digital economy, and digital society." Each local government is advancing digitalization according to its specific conditions, aiming to provide more accessible services for residents and businesses. Source: Nhan Dan