Overcoming challenges to achieve genuine digital transformation.

Bringing digitalization to villages and hamlets.

We arrived at Nam Quang village, Viet Lam commune, on a day in early 2026. At the village headquarters, Village Head Dang Van San enthusiastically welcomed us and invited us to visit the shared office of the village officials. We were surprised to find that the working space in the village was no different from a commune-level office, complete with a modern computer and printer; the desks and chairs were neatly and scientifically arranged; and all the village officials were proficient in using computers to send and receive documents digitally.

Community digital technology team members in the commune instruct village officials on the use of computers and printers.

Village head Dang Van San shared: "At the beginning of December 2025, the village was provided with a computer and printer by the commune. We received guidance and training on how to use them for work. This is the first time a village has been equipped with such modern and synchronized equipment. After more than a month, we have been able to use the computer proficiently to guide villagers in carrying out administrative procedures, attend the 'Digital Literacy' course, and draft monthly and quarterly reports as required by the commune."

To date, Viet Lam commune has fully equipped its Public Administrative Service Center; provided each of its 14 villages with a computer and printer; organized computer skills training for village officials; established and trained digital skills for the commune and village digital technology teams; organized an online digital citizen competition; and assigned officials and civil servants to support villagers in attending "Digital Literacy" classes and practicing digital transformation…

Hoang Thi Thanh Huyen, Secretary of the Party Committee of Viet Lam commune, shared: "The commune's policy is to genuinely implement digital transformation, down to the village level and to each individual citizen. The goal is that by 2026, all villages will no longer need to use paper documents; village officials will be able to process documents online and create documents on computers."

This will lead to reforms and increased transparency in administrative procedures, reducing costs. To achieve this, a digital infrastructure is essential. Therefore, the commune has balanced funding sources from the province, equipped villages with digital devices, and enhanced the digital capacity of commune and village officials.

Overcoming challenges and creating breakthroughs in digital transformation.

Viet Lam commune has 14 villages, of which 5 still lack access to the national power grid, have a fragmented terrain, and are located in areas with poor mobile phone coverage.

Overcoming infrastructure and socio -economic challenges, Viet Lam commune has implemented comprehensive and systematic solutions to address the issues and bring Resolution No. 57 into practice, creating a foundation for building a digital government, digital economy, and digital society at the grassroots level. These solutions include: diverse and effective communication campaigns; the commune's website and fanpage "Viet Lam Commune" attracting thousands of followers; and nearly 400 residents participating in and completing the "Digital Literacy Course".

Viet Lam commune distributed computers and printers to the villages.

In addition, the commune has effectively utilized existing digital infrastructure, bringing the 4G coverage rate in the commune to 64.2%, with 5G coverage in the central area; the percentage of people using smartphones has reached approximately 75-80%. This is an important condition for promoting the provision and use of digital services, especially in handling administrative procedures and cashless payments.

In the digital society sector, 90% of the population has a level 2 electronic identity verification account; 100% of health stations use software for managing medical examinations, treatments, and electronic health records; and schools have implemented electronic communication logs, electronic student records, and software for managing teaching and learning.

The rate of cashless social security payments reached 85%, and 90% for beneficiaries of preferential policies, contributing to transparency, reducing time and costs for citizens. The percentage of people aged 15 and over with bank accounts or e-wallets reached approximately 70-75%, creating a foundation for promoting cashless payments and e-commerce in rural areas.

According to Bui Thi Nga, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Viet Lam commune: In 2026, the commune will coordinate with telecommunications units to eliminate mobile phone signal blind spots and pilot the provision of I-office accounts to village leaders to synchronize the equipment provided with application software, thereby quickly disseminating policies to the villages. At the same time, the commune will propose to the province to approve investment in the national power grid infrastructure to meet electricity usage requirements and the application of technological equipment in daily life.

Digital transformation in Viet Lam is being implemented synchronously and effectively, bringing Resolution No. 57 into life. The initial results in infrastructure, skills, and digital applications are the foundation for the commune to continue building a digital government, digital economy, and digital society, narrowing the digital divide and creating momentum for sustainable development in rural and mountainous areas.

Text and photos: Duy Tuan

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/xa-hoi/202601/vuot-kho-chuyen-doi-so-thuc-chat-2f855d8/