On the afternoon of February 6, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the 10th meeting of the National Committee on Digital Transformation to review its 2024 activities and discuss key tasks for 2025. The meeting also evaluated the progress of Project 06, which focuses on the application of citizen data for national digital transformation.

Attending the meeting were Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh, other members of the Central Party Committee, and leaders of ministries and central agencies. The session was broadcast live to ministries, agencies, and local authorities nationwide.

Strong progress in digital economy and digital society

Reports presented at the meeting highlighted Vietnam’s notable advancements in digital transformation, driven by strong government leadership and broad participation from the public and businesses. Digital transformation has now reached every level of administration, industry, and household.

The government's efforts in 2024 resulted in 12 resolutions, 9 decisions, 6 directives, and 6 official dispatches related to digital transformation.

The National Committee on Digital Transformation held 6 conferences, while 11 national online meetings focused on Project 06.

Of the committee’s 2024 action plan, 44 out of 63 tasks were completed, while Project 06 fulfilled 244 out of 276 assigned tasks. Over three years, Project 06 has successfully completed 346 tasks.

Additionally, legislative frameworks for digital transformation have been strengthened. The National Assembly passed the Data Law, while the government issued 14 decrees and ministries introduced 33 circulars.

Administrative procedures have been significantly simplified, with 898 out of 1,084 tasks streamlined. In 2024 alone, 313 procedures were simplified, and all 63 provinces and cities implemented policies to waive administrative service fees for citizens and businesses.

The digital economy also experienced remarkable growth. According to the Ministry of Information and Communications, the ICT sector generated $152 billion in revenue in 2024, an increase of 10.9%.

Notably, the semiconductor industry contributed $18.7 billion, supported by 50 microchip design firms and 6,000 engineers.

Software and IT service revenues grew significantly, reaching $18 billion - a 38.5% increase. Major global technology firms such as Marvell, NVIDIA, and SK Hynix expanded their investments in Vietnam.

E-commerce saw rapid expansion, with revenue reaching $28 billion in 2024, up 36%. The adoption of cashless payments surged, with an annual growth rate of 57%.

The digitization of tax collection was aggressively implemented, with 5.5 billion electronic invoices processed in 2024, representing a nearly 40% increase. Tax revenue from e-commerce businesses reached $4.9 billion, up 19.5% from the previous year.

In the healthcare sector, electronic medical records and digital health services were expanded. More than 15.5 million citizens now have integrated electronic health records, while over 2.5 million policy beneficiaries receive social welfare payments digitally. Furthermore, 78% of retirees now receive pensions and social insurance benefits through bank accounts.

Infrastructure investment also played a crucial role. Since October 2024, Vietnam has officially commercialized 5G telecommunications services, with the country's internet speed ranking rising to 37th globally, up seven places from 2023.

A new international undersea cable was inaugurated in December 2024, doubling Vietnam’s global internet bandwidth capacity.

The National Population Database saw extensive development, with 100% of eligible citizens receiving chip-based ID cards and over 60 million electronic identification accounts activated.

The VNeID application now offers 40 digital services, up from 13 in 2023. Furthermore, authorities have digitized 35.1 million driver's licenses and verified biometric data for 56.8 million bank customers.

Prime Minister urges a comprehensive, nationwide digital transformation

Concluding the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the importance of integrating digital transformation into all aspects of governance and public administration.

He credited the leadership of the Communist Party, particularly General Secretary To Lam, for driving progress in this area.

Despite notable achievements, the Prime Minister acknowledged persistent challenges. Some ministries and local governments have been slow to implement digital transformation policies.

The development of the digital economy and digital infrastructure remains below its full potential, cybersecurity measures require further strengthening, and the simplification of administrative procedures is progressing too slowly.

Additionally, the quality of online public services needs improvement, and there is a shortage of skilled personnel in the digital sector.

To address these issues, the Prime Minister outlined a strategy based on five key accelerations:

Comprehensive digital transformation to integrate technology across all economic sectors, aiming for double-digit economic growth.

Accelerating digitization in industries ranging from manufacturing to agriculture, enhancing productivity and competitiveness.

Expanding digital infrastructure to support national connectivity and smart services.

Developing digital talent by equipping future generations with essential skills and knowledge.

Strengthening e-government to improve administrative efficiency and public services.

To further institutionalize digital transformation, the Prime Minister called for merging the government’s various digital transformation and administrative reform committees into a single body, which he will chair.

He also set strict deadlines: by June 2025, all provincial and ministerial leaders must manage and sign documents digitally. By the end of 2025, all government officials from the local to central levels must handle administrative work entirely in a digital environment.

Free online public services and nationwide electronic medical records

One of the most significant directives issued by the Prime Minister was the implementation of a "zero-fee" policy for online public services to encourage widespread adoption.

He also set a goal for all airports, ports, and border checkpoints to incorporate biometric authentication and VNeID integration by 2025.

The Prime Minister also prioritized the development of digital services in key sectors. The Ministry of Finance was tasked with leading digital transformation in tax administration, particularly in the tourism and food service industries.

The Ministry of Health was instructed to ensure that all hospitals adopt electronic medical records by September 2025, with major hospitals such as Bach Mai Hospital piloting real-time data coordination systems. The Ministry of Education and Training must complete a national student database by mid-2025.

Additionally, the Prime Minister urged the completion of a national land and civil status database by June 2025. Local and central government officials responsible for these initiatives will be held accountable for meeting the deadlines.

Vietnam also aims to further its global standing in digital transformation. The country improved its e-government ranking by 15 places in 2024, now standing at 71st out of 193 countries. Its Global Innovation Index ranking rose two places to 44th, while its cybersecurity ranking improved by eight spots to 17th worldwide.

Moving forward, the government will continue to develop key national digital infrastructure projects, including a National Data Center and broadband satellite communications. Vietnam aims to achieve full 5G coverage nationwide while also leading in internet satellite technology.

The Prime Minister concluded by emphasizing the necessity of linking digital transformation with broader government reforms. He reaffirmed that digital transformation is essential for Vietnam’s sustainable development, prosperity, and global competitiveness.

Chinhphu.vn