National governance in the era of data and digital transformation

The world is shifting strongly from a management model based on knowledge and experience to a management model based on data. Data is not only a technical tool, but has become a “strategic resource”, “the foundation of soft power” in modern national governance.

"Digital Literacy" class in Tu Mo Rong commune, Quang Ngai province. (Photo: NGUYEN THUYET)

Governance capacity therefore competes not only by action or vision, but also by the ability to use data to act accurately and promptly, for the benefit of the people and the development of the country.

In the traditional governance model, governance is often associated with administrative orders and experience, but in the digital age, leadership is also measured by the ability to make decisions based on data, evidence and social feedback. The shift from experiential leadership to data-driven leadership is the evolution of modern governance thinking - where " political acumen" is supported by "digital intelligence".

Modern management thinking

In reality, the ability to lead with data requires not only knowing how to "give orders", but also knowing how to "read data" to operate flexibly; not only "listening to reports", but also knowing how to "listen to society" through real-time information systems; not only "reacting" to reality, but also proactively forecasting, shaping and leading reality. This is not unfamiliar to the ideological foundation of our Party. President Ho Chi Minh once advised: A leader is someone who knows how to learn from the people, understand the people, and act for the people. That thought represents a modern management philosophy from very early on: a leader is not only a "commander", but also a "servant", "creator", and "continuous learner" from reality and the people. In the data age, Uncle Ho's lesson of "learning from the people, asking the people, and understanding the people" becomes more relevant.

The document of the 13th National Congress of the Party continues to affirm the orientation for developing the leadership team in the new period: "Developing a team of cadres, especially strategic-level cadres, with sufficient qualities, capacity and prestige, equal to the task; having strong political will, intelligence, capacity for innovation and creativity, daring to think, daring to do, daring to take responsibility for the common interest." This is the inheritance of Ho Chi Minh's thought in the new context - when leadership intelligence is not only the ability to "see far, think big", but also the ability to learn quickly, adapt flexibly and operate creatively in a digital and data-driven environment.

In the digital transformation era, leadership intelligence is not about replacing humans with machines, but about the harmonious combination of data science, social intelligence and human values. Data becomes the "bloodline" of modern governance, where every number, every social response, every information stream contributes to shaping policy, is a tool to deepen intelligence and responsibility for the people and the country. If e-Government is the first step in the journey of digitizing the apparatus, then Digital Government and Data Government are at a higher level - where data becomes the basis for decision-making, a strategic resource of the country.

In the digital transformation era, leadership intelligence is not about replacing humans with machines, but about the harmonious combination of data science, social intelligence and human values. Data becomes the "bloodline" of modern governance, where every number, every social response, every information stream contributes to shaping policy, is a tool to deepen intelligence and responsibility for the people and the country. If e-Government is the first step in the journey of digitizing the apparatus, then Digital Government and Data Government are at a higher level - where data becomes the basis for decision-making, a strategic resource of the country.

In Vietnam, this transformation process is clearly institutionalized through national programs and projects. The National Data Center System, the VNeID platform and the National Population Database have created the country's first "digital map" - allowing management agencies to connect, share and exploit data in a unified manner.

As of August 2025, VNeID - the national electronic identification application integrated from the National Population Database has been connected with 15 ministries, branches, 1 state-owned enterprise and 34 localities, and has received more than 2.1 billion information lookups and verifications, of which more than 1.2 billion have been successfully processed. Typically, in Hanoi, medical examination and treatment facilities have connected and synchronized more than 4 million people's health records to the national database through VNeID, helping people only need to bring phones with VNeID installed instead of health insurance cards and citizen identification cards. This is not just a technical reform, but a revolution in the way public policy is administered: from processing records, managing residents, to building social security, health, and education policies, all can be based on real-time and actual data.

Practices in pioneering localities such as Quang Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang show the great potential of the "digital government" model in improving administrative efficiency. Quang Ninh has operated the "Intelligent Operation Center IOC" to help provincial leaders instantly monitor the socio-economic situation and people's feedback, thereby making quick, accurate, and transparent decisions. Ho Chi Minh City has developed an "open data ecosystem" to serve businesses and people, while Da Nang continues to affirm its position as a "smart city" with a two-way interactive digital governance model between the government and citizens. These examples show that when data is exploited in the right direction, leadership and administrative capacity can become more flexible, intelligent, and humane than ever. When policies are built and announced based on demonstrable, transparent, and accessible data, people not only listen but also believe, understand, and accompany.

Vision and challenges

Digital transformation is not just a technological process, but a revolution in national leadership and governance thinking. In the context of the world entering the data era, Vietnam clearly identifies the need to fundamentally innovate the governance model - from a state that manages to a state that creates, acts and serves based on digital platforms. This is not just a technical orientation, but a strategic vision of a country that is powered by digital intelligence and a culture of learning leadership.

The development goal by 2045 - becoming a developed, high-income country - sets new requirements for Vietnam's leadership team: They must be people who "continuously learn, adapt and innovate", know how to make decisions based on data, but still maintain the humanistic foundation of the socialist regime. "Leadership intelligence in digital transformation" is not only measured by the ability to use technology, but also by the ability to transform data into policy, and transform information into people's trust.

However, along with opportunities, the digital age also poses many great challenges to national governance requirements. Data can be collected quickly, but the ability to read, understand, analyze and use data for policy making is limited. Meanwhile, people increasingly demand transparency, efficiency and accountability. If this gap is not narrowed, no matter how much data there is, it will not become a leadership force, but only a directionless "sea of ​​information". In addition, Vietnam is deploying national databases on population, land, businesses, social security, etc.

However, the fragmentation between ministries, sectors and localities remains a major barrier to interoperability. The establishment of a National Data Center and a legal framework for public data sharing is a step in the right direction, but requires a close coordination mechanism and strict information discipline. Balancing data power and citizen privacy is also a challenge that needs to be addressed. In the era of open data, personal information becomes a valuable resource, and at the same time, the most sensitive area. If data is abused, social trust will be damaged, and digital governance will lose its core human values. Therefore, along with the rule of law, data ethics should become a guiding principle in all administrative activities.

Maintaining a humanistic identity in digital governance is also a big challenge. Digital leaders must not only know how to “read data”, but also “understand the people” - knowing how to listen to the emotions, expectations and concerns of people in cyberspace. That is the way to make data not become a tool of control, but a means of creating happiness and human development.

To realize the vision of a modern national governance system, created and operated on a data platform, Vietnam needs a comprehensive, fundamental and long-term reform roadmap, focusing on building a leadership team with digital capacity, data intelligence and innovation spirit. The formation of a team of “data civil servants” - people who are not only proficient in technology, but also knowledgeable about governance, public ethics and evidence-based decision-making methods - is an urgent requirement. They must be officials who are able to read, analyze and use data scientifically; know how to exploit technology to serve the people, not be led by technology. The selection and assessment of officials must be based on their ability to perform in the digital environment: the ability to process information, make quick decisions, coordinate across sectors and ensure transparency in action.

Leadership and strategic advisory bodies also need to be equipped with a system of data analysis tools, simulation models and real-time socio-economic forecasts. The use of artificial intelligence (AI), big data and open analysis platforms will help the State forecast risks early, accurately assess policy impacts, thereby being proactive in managing and preventing crises. The project "Strengthening national risk forecasting and management capacity" deployed in 2025 is a vivid demonstration of this direction - when Vietnam begins to shift from "consequence management" to "proactive risk management". National governance in the digital transformation era is therefore not only a matter of technocratic capacity, but also the combined intelligence of the rule of law, humanity and innovation. That is the foundation for Vietnam to move closer to the goal of a rule-of-law State, where every leadership decision is guided by objective data and a heart for the people.

In the data era, national governance thinking cannot stop at empirical management, but must be based on evidence and knowledge. The fundamental transformation lies in: from “management leadership” to “data-creating leadership” - that is, leaders not only make decisions, but also create data ecosystems, foster trust and promote innovation throughout society.

In the data era, national governance thinking cannot stop at empirical management, but must be based on evidence and knowledge. The fundamental transformation lies in: from “management leadership” to “data-creating leadership” - that is, leaders not only make decisions, but also create data ecosystems, foster trust and promote innovation throughout society.

As the 13th Party Congress Document clearly stated: “Strongly develop digital government, digital economy, digital society associated with the process of renewing the growth model, restructuring the economy and building a modern, effective and efficient national governance”. That requires a new leadership apparatus - people who have a deep understanding of technology, are knowledgeable about data, but above all have a humanistic vision, know how to use data to serve people and develop sustainably. Leadership intelligence, in that context, becomes the “soft energy” of the modern rule-of-law State - where the leader not only operates with administrative power, but also with the ability to create, connect and spread values.

TRAN NGUYEN HOI

Source: https://nhandan.vn/quan-tri-quoc-gia-trong-ky-nguyen-du-lieu-va-chuyen-doi-so-post917654.html