The National Data Association actively contributes to the national digital transformation process.

NDO - the National Data Association - was established with the mission of connecting management agencies, businesses, organizations, and individuals operating in the data sector. The Association aims to build a robust data ecosystem, contributing to the promotion of digital economic development and increasing the value of data in the national economy.

On March 22nd, the first National Congress of the Vietnam Data Association opened in Hanoi. This event is of significant importance, marking a step towards consolidating the organization, outlining its activities for the next five years, and affirming the Association's pioneering role in implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation.

General Secretary To Lam attended and delivered a keynote speech.

Attending the Congress were Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh; members of the Politburo and Secretaries of the Central Committee of the Party: Nguyen Duy Ngoc, Chairman of the Central Inspection Committee ; Phan Dinh Trac, Head of the Central Internal Affairs Committee; General Luong Tam Quang, member of the Politburo and Minister of Public Security; Nguyen Thi Thanh, member of the Central Committee and Vice Chairman of the National Assembly; members of the Central Committee of the Party; representatives of leaders from central and local ministries, departments, and agencies; and 200 official delegates representing nearly 400 member organizations and individuals participating in the Association.

Data - the "lifeblood" of the digital economy.

Speaking at the congress, General Secretary To Lam affirmed: We are entering the dawn of the digital age, a period where data has become a vital resource and means of production, a new energy, even the "blood" of the digital economy. Digital transformation, with data at its center, is fundamentally changing the way we live, work, and develop.

General Secretary To Lam delivered a speech providing guidance to the Congress.

The General Secretary emphasized: The Party and State of Vietnam have long recognized the importance of data. Resolution No. 52-NQ/TW dated September 27, 2019, of the Politburo on some guidelines and policies for proactively participating in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, set forth the principle of "Proactively participating in regional and global legal frameworks to develop the digital economy. Improving laws and policies on data and data governance, facilitating the creation, connection, sharing, and exploitation of data, ensuring cybersecurity domestically, and moving towards connecting with the ASEAN region and internationally."

Most recently, Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024, of the Politburo clearly stated that data is central to digital transformation and a crucial driving force for development. The resolution also outlined pilot policies, creating an initial legal framework for promoting the development and exploitation of data.

We need to recognize that data governance is not just a policy issue, but also a technology issue. Without technology, we cannot collect, store, process, analyze, and share data effectively and securely.

General Secretary To Lam

General Secretary To Lam pointed out that data governance and exploitation in Vietnam still have many shortcomings: Awareness of the role of data is insufficient; data infrastructure is fragmented and lacks connectivity; there is a shortage of high-quality human resources in data; the legal framework is incomplete, especially in areas such as data security, privacy protection, and personal data; and data security and safety still face many challenges.

It's also important to note that data governance is not just a policy issue, but also a technological one. Without technology, we cannot collect, store, process, analyze, and share data effectively and securely. Vietnam has made many efforts to apply advanced technologies in data governance, especially in the fields of e-government and digital transformation.

Platforms such as national population databases, data sharing mechanisms, and online public services have significantly improved data exploitation and management. However, regulations on data protection when applying new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, or blockchain technology are still in the experimental stage and lack clear development direction and transparent management regulations.

General Secretary To Lam, along with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and other delegates, attended the Congress.

In this context, the establishment of the National Data Association is of paramount importance. The General Secretary believes that the Association will be the common home of "digital knights," the "pioneering banner" in implementing Resolution 57 and other resolutions on science and technology, and will soon transform Vietnam into a digital nation, with a foundation of digital governance, digital economy, and digital society, developed based on "accurate, complete, clean, and vibrant" data.

To achieve this, General Secretary To Lam suggested that the Association focus on the following seven key tasks: Firstly , to research, propose, and perfect the legal framework for data, creating conditions for data flow, connection, sharing, and maximum exploitation, while still ensuring data security, safety, and sovereignty. The Ministry of Public Security is currently developing the Law on Personal Data Protection and the revised Law on Cybersecurity (adding the function of state management of network information security) and is expected to submit them to the National Assembly for approval in 2025, and simultaneously submit to the Government for promulgation decrees guiding the 2024 Data Law; therefore, priority should be given to focusing all resources on this task.

Secondly , we must leverage our core role in building, developing, exploiting, and enriching national data, focusing on four main pillars: people, locations, activities, and items.

Thirdly , we must proactively and actively apply, master, and move towards self-reliance in core data technologies, especially artificial intelligence (AI), big data, blockchain, and cloud computing.

Particularly emphasizing the role of the Association in a number of key programs and initiatives, the General Secretary pointed out: "We must develop a Data Market for Development": Building a national data market, implementing a data platform to serve research, development, entrepreneurship, innovation, and providing data-related products and services to serve socio-economic development.

A national open AI platform needs to be built to make it easier for businesses to access AI applications. Rapidly disseminating data literacy to all citizens will raise awareness, knowledge, and skills about data throughout society, especially regarding the value and importance of protecting personal data and complying with legal regulations.

Organize competitions and challenges for innovation based on data as soon as possible. Encourage the community to propose innovative solutions based on data. Create platforms that maximize human potential in the field of science and technology.

General Secretary To Lam and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh pose for a commemorative photo with the delegates.

Continue to strengthen self-reliance in data technology; prioritize, encourage, and create mechanisms for "Make in Vietnam" data technology products to compete fairly in domestic and international markets.

Fourth , support the acceleration of the development of advanced data infrastructure, including data centers invested in by both the State and private enterprises.

Fifthly , we must strengthen international cooperation, learn from experience, attract resources, and participate in global data initiatives.

Sixth , build an effective enforcement and monitoring mechanism. State agencies, with the Ministry of Public Security playing a leading role, need a more rigorous and synchronized monitoring system based on the strong application of digital technology to ensure that legal regulations are fully complied with.

Seventh , build a system for protecting products and securing data, develop data protection services, establish standards for data protection and security, and form a data security industry.

In the digital age, failure to control data means losing sovereignty, data security, and opportunities for development. Digital transformation and data development present a historic opportunity for Vietnam to achieve breakthroughs.

General Secretary To Lam

General Secretary To Lam called on the entire business community, entrepreneurs, scientists, experts, agencies, organizations, and the whole society to join hands and contribute to the National Data Association's successful fulfillment of its mission. He also emphasized that the Party and State are committed to creating all favorable conditions and providing maximum support for the development of the data sector, so that Vietnam can soon become a digital nation, a digital society, and a prosperous digital economy.

General Luong Tam Quang was elected Chairman of the National Data Association.

At the Congress, through a resolution passed with high consensus from the members, General Luong Tam Quang, Minister of Public Security, was elected to the position of Chairman of the National Data Association.

General Luong Tam Quang, Minister of Public Security and Chairman of the National Data Association, delivered a speech at the Congress.

Speaking at the congress, Comrade Luong Tam Quang emphasized: The National Data Association will be a bridge between businesses, building a diverse and stable data ecosystem, meeting the requirements of sustainable digital transformation in all fields, and creating a foundation for the country to enter a new digital era.

During its first term, the Association will focus on key activities such as: coordinating with relevant agencies, associations, and organizations to disseminate national policies and laws on data. In addition, the Association will contribute opinions to relevant legal documents and make recommendations and provide consultation to competent state agencies on issues related to the development of the data industry.

The association will support the authorities when requested, with a clear mission, objectives, and direction.

With the launch of the National Data Association, it promises to unite and protect the legitimate rights of its members, promote the sharing of knowledge and experience, and apply scientific and technological achievements in the field of data; actively contribute to the national digital transformation process, and develop the data market and economy.

Previously, on February 25th, the Ministry of Public Security held a ceremony to announce the establishment of the National Data Center. The Center was assigned by the Government to the Ministry of Public Security for construction, management, exploitation, and operation to integrate, synchronize, store, share, analyze, exploit, and coordinate data from state agencies in accordance with the law, aiming to create a database on human resources and a comprehensive database from national databases.

Data at the National Data Center is the core platform providing data-related services, supporting policy planning, fostering development, building a digital government, digital society, and digital economy, ensuring national defense and security, and serving as a crucial driving force in building a new era of prosperity. Simultaneously, it provides technological infrastructure for socio-political organizations, the national database system, and other agencies that need to utilize it for exploitation, operation, efficiency enhancement, and cybersecurity assurance.