Digital transformation at your fingertips

Today, the smartphone has become an indispensable tool and a "measure" of the effectiveness of digital transformation. Every touch, every swipe is recorded and processed by the system, creating smart, transparent services that help people access public and social services more easily than ever before.

Citizens can communicate in a two-way manner with the city government through the Ho Chi Minh City Digital Citizen application. Photo: HOANG HUNG

According to Statista, Vietnam is considered one of the largest smartphone markets in Asia, with nearly 80 million smartphone users expected by early 2025. Mr. Thanh Huy (Minh Phung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City), who frequently travels by domestic air, now only needs to arrive at the airport about 30 minutes before departure, instead of more than two hours as before. Thanks to the VNeID Level 2 identification application, the entire process from check-in to security and boarding is quick and efficient. Paying taxes has also become simpler than ever. Simply open the eTax Mobile application, log in with a password, fingerprint, or FaceID, and users can pay taxes electronically, look up tax obligations, and view tax notices. Ms. Bang Chau, an accountant working in Tan Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, shared: “Before, I had to call, email, or go directly to the tax office to inquire about information. Now everything is available on eTax Mobile, which is very convenient.” Mr. Thanh Huy also stated that it only takes a few seconds to look up and pay personal income tax.

From paying bills, tuition fees, utility bills to booking taxis and shopping… everything is conveniently handled on a single device. More importantly, citizens can apply for passports, renew driver's licenses, request criminal record checks, report security and order issues, and evaluate the quality of public services… all directly on VNeID without needing to visit government agencies. Smartphones are becoming the “electronic wallet, filing cabinet, and public service portal” for every citizen, with all important information identified by original data in the National Population Database.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the HCMC Digital Citizen application serves as a two-way communication channel between citizens and the government. In addition to the 12 features available from its launch (late 2024), the application has been continuously upgraded, updated, and supplemented with utilities such as checking children's academic results, managing the health of the elderly, and connecting online payments for electricity, water, bus tickets, and metro tickets. Ms. Vo Thi Trung Trinh, Director of the HCMC Digital Transformation Center, stated: The Digital Citizen application helps shorten geographical distances and reduce travel time through direct, fast, convenient, and seamless interactions anytime, anywhere. The Center is implementing solutions to improve citizen data connectivity to ensure the best possible service for citizens across all 168 wards, communes, and special zones of Ho Chi Minh City.

Since its launch, the application has been downloaded more than 320,000 times and has achieved over 6 million interactions and service uses, all via smartphones. Notably, the Ho Chi Minh City Digital Citizen application connects directly with VNeID, enabling quick account verification, data synchronization, and contributing to building a digital platform for a smart city.

According to the Ministry of Science and Technology's nationwide Digital Transformation Index (DTI) assessment, Ho Chi Minh City's outstanding achievements are comprehensively demonstrated across all three pillars. Regarding digital government, Ho Chi Minh City has provided 1,996 online public services, aiming for a data-driven, service-oriented, and efficient government model. In terms of the digital economy , this sector is projected to contribute approximately 25% to the city's GRDP by 2025. Regarding the digital society, 100% of citizens have digital identities and electronic identification accounts, creating a solid foundation for using public services and digital utilities…

KIM THANH

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/chuyen-doi-so-trong-long-ban-tay-post838414.html