Digital transformation in the mountainous region of Bat Xat

With its heavily fragmented mountainous terrain and many villages located far from the commune center, residents of Bat Xat commune (Lao Cai province) face considerable difficulties in accessing administrative services. Based on this reality, Bat Xat commune has implemented the "Digital Village" model to help people access public services more easily, reducing travel time and costs.

The fragmented terrain and difficult transportation conditions affect the ability of people in Bat Xat commune to complete administrative procedures.

"Village number" handles administrative procedures for the people.

Suoi Chai village is one of the most remote and difficult-to-access villages in Bat Xat commune. The village has 86 households, all of whom are Dao ethnic minority people. The terrain is hilly and steep, and most of the roads are dirt paths winding along the mountain slopes. To reach the commune center, residents have to travel more than 10 kilometers, taking many hours; during the rainy season, travel becomes even more difficult, sometimes almost impossible due to slippery roads.

To overcome these difficulties, the commune selected Suoi Chai as one of the villages to implement the "Digital Village" model, bringing administrative services closer to the people. The village is equipped with computers connected to the internet, and the commune organizes training sessions to help village officials and residents gradually become familiar with and use basic digital services.

The model focuses on supporting the installation and use of electronic identification, submitting online public administrative documents at a simple level, and receiving directives and instructions from the government. As a result, many procedures that previously required going to the commune center can now be resolved right in the village, saving people time and effort in traveling.

Ms. Ly Ta May, a resident of Suoi Chai village, said: “Previously, every time we needed to complete procedures for our children, we had to go all the way to the commune center, which was both time-consuming and costly in terms of travel expenses. Now, with this ‘Digital Village’ model, we are guided to do it right at the village cultural center, which is very convenient and much less troublesome.”

A highlight in the implementation of the "Digital Village" initiative in Suoi Chai is the active involvement of the education sector. Ms. Ha Thi Ben, Principal of Phin Ngan Kindergarten, said: "The school has closely coordinated with the village to support digital transformation. Each school has assigned teachers to directly guide village officials and residents in operating and using digital technology-related content."

Besides the school's existing facilities such as internet access, projection equipment, and public address systems, these are also utilized to serve community activities and operate the "Digital Village" model. In areas where the village lacks a complete cultural center, the school becomes a hub for information exchange, a place for village meetings, disseminating policies and guidelines, and helping residents gradually become familiar with and access digital technology .

Digital transformation drives economic development.

Beyond simply streamlining administrative procedures, the "Digital Village" model in Suoi Chai opens up a new approach to economic development, helping residents expand their markets and increase their income. According to Comrade Chao Cui Phu, Secretary of the Party Branch of Suoi Chai village, as residents gradually become familiar with digital technology, promoting and connecting the consumption of the village's typical agricultural products will become easier.

Currently, Suoi Chai boasts products such as sturgeon, black chickens, and free-range pigs. The application of digital technology is expected to help people access markets more quickly, reduce dependence on traders, and gradually increase the value of their products. At the same time, digital transformation will also enable village officials to update information and implement the Party and State's policies and laws to the people more promptly and effectively.

The implementation in Suoi Chai shows that the "Digital Village" model does not require high-level technology, but is implemented in a way that is easy to use, easy to access, and suitable for the conditions of people in the highlands. The Bat Xat commune government also mobilized youth union members to establish community "Digital Technology Teams" to guide the people and create a ripple effect. The "Digital Village" model in Bat Xat is also a concrete step in implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024, of the Politburo on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation.

Comrade Vu Hong Phuong, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Bat Xat commune, said: The implementation of the digital village model is carried out with flexibility and creativity, in accordance with the actual conditions of the locality. Besides existing equipment, the commune also mobilizes additional social resources and engages the entire political system to support digital transformation in villages and hamlets.

The initial goal was to assist people in carrying out simple administrative procedures, then gradually improve the level and integrate digital transformation into daily life. To date, the commune has implemented the model in seven villages located in remote, mountainous areas with difficult access; it is expected that by 2026, the "Digital Village" model will be covered in all villages in the commune, creating the most favorable conditions for people in resolving administrative procedures.

With the right approach and the involvement of the entire political system, the "Digital Village" model is gradually proving its effectiveness in Bat Xat commune. This is considered an important direction for the commune to strive to implement synchronous digital transformation in all villages in the area, contributing to narrowing the gap between the highlands and the center, better serving the needs of the people and promoting socio-economic development, poverty reduction in the locality.

CONG HAI

Source: https://nhandan.vn/chuyen-doi-so-o-vung-cao-bat-xat-post934662.html