Identifying barriers for people in mountainous areas to access digital transformation

The digital divide is still large.

In Muong Te commune ( Lai Chau province), Mr. Ly A Cho said: "For the past few years, my family has had a smartphone, but the signal is weak, and the internet connection is intermittent. I don't know how to use many services like submitting administrative documents online or making payments via QR code; I always have to go to the commune center to ask officials for guidance."

Mr. Chớ's story is not unique. In many mountainous areas, telecommunications infrastructure and the level of information technology literacy among the people remain the biggest obstacles. According to data from the Ministry of Information and Communications , as of the end of 2024, the percentage of households in remote areas with internet access was only about 65%, much lower than the national average of over 90%.

Furthermore, access to digital devices is limited. Many households still use basic mobile phones or older smartphones that lack the capabilities to install and use applications supporting digital transformation. This makes it difficult to popularize digital platforms among all citizens.

Lack of digital skills – a soft but difficult barrier to overcome.

If infrastructure is the physical barrier, then digital skills are the "soft knot" that is difficult to untangle.

In practice, the implementation of online public services shows that many people, especially the elderly or ethnic minorities, are not yet familiar with using technology. They are afraid of pressing the wrong buttons and are reluctant to perform the necessary operations. In some cases, even after repeated instructions from commune officials, people still prefer to submit paper documents.

These people are "lacking skills" or "reluctant to learn new things" when using digital platforms. Deeply aware that "Digital transformation starts with the people, is centered around the people, is the subject, the goal, the driving force, and the source of motivation for digital transformation"—this is why the community digital technology group model was created with the mission of supporting people in accessing and using digital technology in a simple way, stemming from natural needs, creating practical value for people, and bringing digital technology into every aspect of life.

Identifying barriers to accessing digital transformation for people in mountainous areas - Image 1.

Officials guide citizens on using online public services at the Phu Tho Provincial Public Administration Service Center.

Community-based digital technology groups, with their nationwide scope and distinctive characteristics, represent a unique approach in Vietnam and serve as a foundation for decisive actions that will create breakthrough results in digital transformation in the future. From a model of isolated development at the local level, these groups have now formed a nationwide network. To date, 100% of communes and wards across the country have established community-based digital technology groups, with over 93,524 groups at the village, neighborhood, and hamlet levels, and 457,820 forming a nationwide network, providing practical and effective support for national digital transformation efforts.

This shows that the dissemination of information and training in basic digital skills still needs to be carried out regularly, flexibly, and in a way that is more accessible to the people.

Language and customs – factors that require special attention.

In many mountainous regions, language barriers also pose a significant challenge.

Ms. Vang Thi Do, a resident of Nam Ban commune (Dien Bien province), shared: "Officials talk a lot about 'online public services' or 'digital transformation,' but I don't fully understand. It would be easier if there were instructional videos in ethnic languages."

Currently, many localities have begun to digitize information and propaganda in bilingual formats or organize training classes in ethnic languages, helping people better understand the benefits of digital transformation. However, the scale is still small and not yet synchronized.

This shows that digital transformation is not just about technology, but also about culture. When people feel that digital applications are close and integrated into their daily lives, they will proactively embrace them.

In reality, many people have already adopted digital technology in their daily lives, such as: livestreaming to sell agricultural products (honey and dried bamboo shoots, etc.); using Zalo to connect with traders; and looking up land documents through the public service portal… These changes, however small, are creating a new wave of "digital culture" in the highlands.

Currently, the community technology team model includes commune officials, youth union members, young teachers, etc., whose nhiệm vụ is to guide people in using public services, e-commerce, digital payments, registering QR codes for selling agricultural products, and so on.

However, these groups are also facing many difficulties such as limited operating funds, insufficient instructional materials, and the need for continuous retraining due to rapidly changing applications.

Experts believe that these forces need regular support policies, viewing them as a crucial "bridge" between the state and the people in the digital transformation journey. To bridge the digital divide, a comprehensive set of solutions needs to be implemented:

Investing in telecommunications infrastructure and achieving 4G/5G coverage in 100% of villages: The government and telecommunications enterprises need to coordinate to boost investment in network infrastructure, establish support mechanisms for disadvantaged areas, and prioritize the installation of base stations in areas with poor signal coverage; and popularize basic digital skills among the people.

Organize digital transformation training classes in villages, schools, and cultural centers; integrate digital transformation content into educational programs and community activities; develop digital content that is "people-friendly and easy to understand." There is a need for instructional videos in ethnic languages, illustrated with real-life scenarios (e.g., selling agricultural products online, submitting land registration documents online...).

Support for equipment and preferential packages: Technology and telecommunications companies can implement programs like "Smartphones for mountainous areas" or offer affordable data packages to encourage people to use the Internet; Develop digital products suitable for the specific characteristics of each region.

Examples include e-commerce platforms that support the sale of local specialty agricultural products; applications for managing small cooperatives and associations, etc.

Digital transformation is only successful when all citizens can access and benefit from it. The goal is not just to build an e-government or a digital economy, but a digital society – where every citizen, whether in urban or rural areas, has the opportunity to participate and develop.

According to the Vietnam Journal of Science and Technology

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/nhan-dien-rao-can-de-nguoi-dan-vung-cao-tiep-can-chuyen-doi-so-197251109191311029.htm