How to effectively exploit data, the new 'oil' of digital transformation

A representative of the National Data Center (Ministry of Public Security) emphasized that data is the new oil of the 21st century, the "heart" of the digital transformation strategy.

Major General Nguyen Ngoc Cuong, Director of the National Data Center ( Ministry of Public Security ), Vice President of the National Data Association. Photo: Hoang Anh .

The Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation Forum of Hung Yen Province 2025 took place on October 29. With the theme “Data economy , promoting innovation and sustainable development”, this is the first provincial-level event, opening a comprehensive digital transformation strategy in the new development stage.

Speaking at the forum, Major General Nguyen Ngoc Cuong, Director of the National Data Center (Ministry of Public Security), Vice President of the National Data Association, emphasized that Resolution 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo identifies science, technology, innovation and digital transformation as the top strategic breakthroughs, aiming to rapidly develop modern production forces and perfect national governance methods.

The resolution clearly states the goal that by 2030, the digital economy will account for at least 30% of GDP, and 100% of core administrative data will be connected from the central to local levels. By 2045, Vietnam will be in the top 30 countries leading in innovation and digital transformation.

Data is the "new oil" of the 21st century

“General Secretary To Lam emphasized that we are entering the dawn of the digital age, a period when data becomes an important resource and means of production, becoming 'new energy', even the 'blood' of the digital economy,” said Major General Nguyen Ngoc Cuong.

Speaking at the forum, Mr. Cuong also emphasized that developing digital infrastructure, data markets and high-tech human resources are vital factors for Vietnam to make a breakthrough in the era of artificial intelligence (AI).

Major General Nguyen Ngoc Cuong said that the National Data Association was established in March 2025, gathering many talented experts with deep understanding of technology, strategic vision and international experience in the fields of data science, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cyber security...

"We are clearly aware of one thing: data is the 'new oil' of the 21st century, and to exploit this 'oil mine', we always research and develop to create breakthroughs in science and technology, and innovate in our thinking and ways of doing things.

"Data is the 'heart' of digital transformation, the 'brain' of the era of national growth and prosperity," said Mr. Cuong.

Exhibition area at the Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation Forum of Hung Yen province 2025. Photo: Hoang Anh .

Appreciating the vision of Hung Yen province's leaders, Major General Nguyen Ngoc Cuong commented that this province has a great advantage after reorganizing its administrative boundaries, becoming the center of the Red River Delta region.

Hung Yen has many geo-economic and social advantages. With an open and diversified economy from high-quality agriculture, supporting industries, logistics to marine economic sectors, renewable energy and coastal tourism, the problem for Hung Yen is to effectively manage resources.

According to Mr. Cuong, the development of a data - statistics - analysis system has become a strategic tool to help provincial leaders effectively promote population, resources and economic sectors, create breakthroughs in management, supervision and decision-making thanks to building data-based policies, improve competitiveness, and maximize the new potential of the province after the merger.

Data is the "5th strategic asset"

Participating in the discussion session within the framework of the event, Mr. Nguyen Tuan Huy, Head of Digital Transformation Department of MobiFone Telecommunications Corporation, brought a new concept when considering data as the "5th strategic asset", on par with land, labor, capital and energy.

“Digital infrastructure is no longer just a transmission line or equipment, but has become the circuit of the modern economy. And in that circuit, data is the lifeblood that nourishes all activities. This is the golden time for localities to boldly transition to a data economy if they want to make a breakthrough in the coming period,” Mr. Huy emphasized.

According to MobiFone representative, the world has entered the data business phase. Countries such as Singapore, South Korea, and the European Union have established Data Exchange Platforms, where data is standardized, shared, and transparently commercialized.

Hung Yen has the advantage of being located in the center of the Northern key economic region, directly connecting Hanoi, Hai Phong and Quang Ninh. The province has a rapidly developing industrial infrastructure with 5G network covering the whole province, 43 planned industrial parks and 18 operating parks.

“Hung Yen has four golden data sources - industry, agriculture, tourism and population - along with strong digital infrastructure. That is the ideal foundation to form a 'local data economy',” Mr. Huy added.

Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony between Hung Yen Provincial People's Committee and National Data Association within the framework of the forum. Photo: Hoang Anh .

From the perspective of a technology enterprise, MobiFone is ready to accompany the locality to build Hung Yen Data Hub - a provincial-level integrated data center, playing the role of the "heart" of the data ecosystem.

This center will connect data sources from five main areas - transportation, agriculture, industry, tourism and education - labor, helping the government, businesses and people exploit them transparently and safely.

MobiFone has launched three platforms that have been practically deployed, including MobiEdu (learning data analysis, forecasting human resource needs for industrial parks), MobiAgri (supporting traceability of Hung Yen longan origin, forecasting crop seasons and agricultural product prices) and Smart Travel (exploiting tourist behavior data to suggest promotions and optimize marketing campaigns).

“This is not just technology but a tool for socio-economic development. Every journey, every season, every transaction generates data. When connected and processed properly, it will become a new source of revenue for the locality,” said Mr. Nguyen Tuan Huy.

Source: https://znews.vn/du-lieu-la-dau-mo-moi-cua-the-ky-xxi-post1598264.html