Digital transformation must deliver tangible benefits to citizens

Speaking at a ceremony in Hanoi on November 13 to honour outstanding organisations and individuals participating in Vietnam Digital Citizen Day 2026, themed “Digital Vietnam – Connecting the Future”, the Deputy PM said the results achieved through the campaign should be maintained and developed into regular tasks across ministries, sectors and localities.

The event was organised by the Ministry of Public Security’s Police Department for Administrative Management of Social Order. It recognised six individuals for their proactive use of digital services and utilities, along with eight organisations for their contributions to building a digital government and digital society.

The ministry also launched an online asset auction system, designed to modernise the organisation of auctions and allow people and businesses to participate from anywhere in the country, regardless of geographical distance.

The system uses the national electronic identification application VNeID to identify and authenticate participants, helping prevent impersonation and fraud while reducing the time and costs involved. It has so far conducted 214 successful auctions, with a total winning bid value of approximately VND560 billion.

Digital services must bring practical value

On behalf of the Government, Deputy PM Ho Quoc Dung commended ministries, agencies, local authorities, businesses and citizens for their active participation in the digital citizen campaign.

He highlighted a number of concrete results, including the implementation of fee and charge exemptions and reductions in 34 localities to encourage people to provide 22 categories of documents and information to State agencies. Data connectivity has also helped reduce paperwork requirements for hundreds of administrative procedures through electronic channels.

Efforts to improve digital access have extended beyond online public services. A total of 164 out of 209 areas with poor mobile signal coverage nationwide have been addressed, while local authorities have mobilised staff and digital ambassadors to provide direct assistance at public administrative service centres and in mountainous areas.

Despite this progress, h pointed to persistent challenges. The uptake of digital services remains uneven across population groups and geographical areas, with online administrative procedure submissions accounting for only 59.78% of the total. Online scams and impersonation also remain a concern, undermining public confidence in the digital environment.

He called for stronger communication campaigns and wider access to digital skills training, particularly through the “Digital Literacy for All” platform. Citizens should also receive guidance on integrating personal documents into VNeID and other digital platforms.

Local authorities were urged to assign staff to public administrative service centres to provide direct, hands-on assistance, ensuring that older people, vulnerable groups and those with limited digital skills are not left behind.

The Deputy PM stressed that digital transformation must move beyond encouraging people to use online services towards creating tangible benefits that motivate them to participate voluntarily and develop lasting digital habits.

Putting citizens at the centre of digital transformation

The Deputy PM also called for continued improvements in data quality, connectivity and sharing among State agencies, with a view to reducing administrative burdens and compliance costs.

He emphasised that citizens should not be asked to provide information again when it is already available to State agencies. As databases are cleaned, standardised and connected, the information should be put to practical use to simplify procedures and reduce the time and costs required for public services.

VNeID and other digital platforms should also be developed into convenient and trusted access points for essential services, including public administration, digital signatures, payments, social welfare, healthcare and education.

At the same time, greater attention should be paid to cybersecurity, personal data protection and digital literacy. Citizens need to be equipped with the skills to protect their accounts and personal information, recognise online risks and behave responsibly in the digital environment.

He requested that heads of ministries, sectors and localities take direct responsibility for implementation, with clear assignments, deadlines and measurable outcomes. Digital transformation should be assessed not simply by the number of platforms or services introduced, but by actual usage, the time and costs saved, security and the satisfaction of citizens and businesses.

He also urged businesses to work alongside the State in developing accessible, user-friendly and secure digital products and services, with appropriate incentives and reduced fees to encourage wider adoption.

The Deputy PM expressed hope that each citizen would continue updating personal information on VNeID, acquiring new digital skills, using more online services and helping family members, particularly older people and vulnerable groups, participate safely in the digital environment.

He said the organisations and individuals honoured at the ceremony should continue spreading practical initiatives and effective models, contributing to better public services, stronger business innovation and a more proactive, secure digital community.

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