In the context of operating a two-tiered local government model, digital transformation in Vietnam is entering a new phase: from initiation to actual operation. As data is interconnected, shared platforms are formed, and public services are geared towards the people, service-oriented administration is gradually emerging from the grassroots level. However, for digital transformation to truly deepen, institutional, resource, and capacity-based bottlenecks need to be addressed promptly.
Lesson 1: Data that paves the way
After more than half a year of operating the two-tiered local government model, digital transformation in many localities has moved beyond the initial phase, gradually laying the foundation. Interconnected systems, data repositories gradually demonstrating their value, and public services beginning to reach individual households show that a service-oriented administration is clearly taking shape at the grassroots level.
From startup to actual operation
Digital transformation has been identified by the Party and the State as one of the three breakthrough pillars for national development, according to Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation, and national digital transformation. Along with the national digital transformation program, the legal system regarding science and technology and digital transformation is continuously being improved, creating a synchronized framework for implementation from the central to the local level.
In particular, the National Digital Transformation Law, recently passed by the National Assembly, has clarified the investment mechanism, budget, and support policies, affirming the fundamental role of digital transformation at the commune and ward levels in building a digital government, digital economy , and digital society.
According to Mr. Tran Quoc Tuan, Head of Investment Management Department, National Digital Transformation Agency, the law has added many new regulations on the organization of digital transformation activities, mechanisms for implementing unprecedented digital system projects, and policies to support rural areas, disadvantaged regions, and small and medium-sized enterprises, creating momentum for the rapid and sustainable development of the digital economy.
After five years of implementation, digital transformation has laid a crucial foundation for digital government, digital society, and administrative reform geared towards serving citizens and businesses. In Ho Chi Minh City, infrastructure and data have been invested in a synchronized manner, directly supporting the operation of the post-merger administrative apparatus. The establishment of the Digital Government Data Center, connecting state agencies and utilizing a shared data warehouse, has helped improve real-time operational capacity. Simultaneously, the digital transformation support teams in 54 wards and communes, following a "hands-on" approach, have helped local officials quickly master the processes and shared platforms.
In Da Nang, the city continues to demonstrate its leading role by synchronizing a shared system, integrating the DaNang AI digital assistant to assist with administrative procedures; and completing the issuance of accounts, official emails, and digital signatures for approximately 70,000 officials. The consolidation of software and data after the merger has been implemented synchronously, ensuring the new system operates smoothly from the city level to the grassroots.
According to Nguyen Thanh Hong, Director of the Da Nang City Department of Science and Technology, to support the two-tiered local government model, the city has effectively operated the Intelligent Operations Center (IOC Center), establishing an operational center for 94 wards and communes, as well as departments and agencies, connecting data, cameras, and IoT to serve management and operation.
To date, 100% of administrative procedures under the jurisdiction of the city, including provincial and commune levels, have been reviewed, standardized, and publicly available on the National Public Service Portal and at public administrative service centers.
Notably, Da Nang has approved more than 1,160 procedures regardless of administrative boundaries and operates the 1022 hotline continuously, contributing to shortening the application processing time and improving the quality of service for citizens and businesses.
Many localities have promoted digital transformation across all levels, taking administrative procedure reform as a key "touchpoint" of the two-tiered government model. In Bac Ninh province, the system of public administrative service centers from the provincial to the commune level is organized synchronously.
According to Mr. Nguyen Van Son, Deputy Director of the Hop Thanh Commune Public Administrative Service Center, all administrative procedures have been interconnected between the commune and provincial levels. Despite receiving 250-300 applications daily, the center operates stably thanks to the digitization of processes and reduced processing times.
Many localities across the country have made significant progress in streamlining their administrative structures, improving service quality, and applying digital technology in state management. According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, most localities have completed the connection of dedicated data transmission networks down to the commune level; the "electronic one-stop shop" software has been synchronized and integrated with the National Public Service Portal. Along with this, the human resources for digital transformation are gradually being strengthened, forming a team of "digital civil servants" at the grassroots level – a key factor in making digital transformation a regular operating method of local governments.
Population data and public services are now available.
Digital transformation is only effective when data is shared and operates smoothly at the grassroots level. Major General Vu Van Tan, Director of the Department of Administrative Management of Social Order (Ministry of Public Security), emphasized: The practical implementation of Project 06 in the 2022-2025 period shows that, in the process of national digital transformation, data has become a strategic resource of the digital era. The synchronized application of key data groups on population, identity cards, and electronic identification not only creates the foundation for the formation of national and specialized databases, but also creates practical digital tools such as electronic identification accounts, VNeID applications, and chip-embedded identity cards, bringing direct value to the State, citizens, and businesses. For nearly four months now, citizens using 25 essential public services no longer have to print paper documents or wait in line; With just one VNeID account, you can handle common procedures such as residence registration, civil registration, vehicle registration, taxes, health insurance, etc.
At the grassroots level, many places have sought to "bridge the gap" for people through community-based digital technology teams, following a "door-to-door" approach, especially in mountainous provinces like Lai Chau, Son La, and Yen Bai – a "three-in-one" model: on-site support, on-site verification, and on-site digitization. In Soc Trang, since the beginning of 2026, some localities have implemented a "signature authentication at home" model; in just half a month of January 2026, they assisted approximately 30 cases. The case of Mr. Lam Van Thao (70 years old, paralyzed), who had his authorization documents completed at his home by officials instead of having to rely on relatives to bring him to the office, is clear evidence of digital transformation "getting to work," turning technological conveniences into concrete service values...
According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, digital transformation has passed its initial phase and is gradually spreading into social life through familiar platforms such as VNeID and online public services. However, practice shows that the effectiveness of digital transformation depends decisively on smooth implementation at the grassroots level, where administrative procedures are directly handled and closely connected with the people.
(To be continued)
Source: https://nhandan.vn/bai-1-du-lieu-mo-duong-post942786.html
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