Addressing the ceremony, To Lam emphasized that “we are living in the digital era, where data becomes a key resource and production material. Digital transformation, with data at its core, is fundamentally changing how we live, work, and develop.”

Recognizing the critical role of data, he said, the Party and State have long prioritized its development. Most recently, the Politburo issued Resolution No. 57, which identifies data as the central pillar of digital transformation and a key driver of national development. The resolution also outlines pilot policies and an initial legal framework to accelerate data development and utilization.

However, the Party leader acknowledged, Vietnam still faces many challenges in data governance and utilization. In this context, the establishment of the National Data Association is highly significant, serving as an extended arm of the Party and State and a flagship organization in implementing Resolution No. 57, aiming to transform Vietnam into a digital nation driven by data.

To achieve this vision, he urged the association to propose legal frameworks to facilitate data circulation, connectivity, sharing, and optimal utilization while ensuring data security, safety, and sovereignty.

He particularly reminded the association to master and advance core data technologies, including artificial intelligence, big data, blockchain, and cloud computing, and to build a national data market, to support research, startups, and innovation, and to create data-driven products and services to drive socio-economic development.

General Secretary To Lam also underscored the need to develop a National Open AI Platform, enabling businesses to easily access and apply AI, while also promoting data literacy among citizens. He stressed the importance of enhancing public awareness, knowledge, and skills related to data, particularly regarding personal data protection and legal compliance.

The leader requested the National Data Association to implement solutions to enhance technological self-sufficiency in data during its 2025-2030 term. In his view, priority should be given to encouraging and supporting “Make in Vietnam” data technology products and developing advanced data infrastructure, including data centres.

He also emphasized the importance of international cooperation, saying it’s imperative to learn from global best practices and attract resources, engage in global data initiatives, and implement an effective monitoring and enforcement framework to ensure full legal compliance.

The National Data Association was established under Decision No. 10, issued on January 10, 2025, by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Its mission is to connect regulatory agencies, enterprises, organizations, and individuals working in the data sector. The association aims to build a strong data ecosystem, contributing to digital economic growth and enhancing the value of data within the national economy.

During the first congress held on the same day, the national Data Association elected a seven-member executive board for the 2025-2030 term led by Member of the Politburo and Minister of Public Security Gen. Luong Tam Quang.

Big data viewed as strategic foundation for smart city development

VOV.VN - Big data and big data processing applied to the management and operation of the State apparatus are considered as the strategic foundation for smart urban development, with this being a "problem" that must be solved in order to be successful in building smart cities.