Digital transformation in Yen Bai embodies creativity, methodology, persistence, and a commitment to action. The province consistently upholds the motto: "Digital transformation must center on people as the focus and goal of development."
Top-down, bottom-up synchronization
Mr. Nguyen Thuc Manh, Deputy Director of the Department of Information and Communications, Yen Bai province said: Yen Bai views digital transformation as a key solution for socioeconomic development from 2021 to 2025, aiming to help the province catch up with others despite starting later. With this commitment, officials and citizens are united in advancing digital transformation.
In particular, the 19th Provincial Party Committee issued Resolution 51-NQ/TU dated July 22, 2021 on digital transformation in 2021-2025, with a vision to 2030. To bring Resolution 51 into practice, the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People’s Council and the Provincial People’s Committee built and promulgated 76 documents on leadership, direction and implementation, including Action Program 15/CTr-UBND dated October 26, 2021 of the Provincial People's Committee; Decision 2015/QD-UBND dated October 3, 2023 of the Provincial People’s Committee on ratification of Yen Bai Digital Transformation Project for the 2023-2030 period.
These documents clearly define the contents to be implemented, tasks assigned to each agency, unit and locality with an action roadmap and have products for demonstration. In particular, not just "catching up and going together with other localities", some policies are even ahead of the country like Resolution 60/2022/NQ-HDND dated December 9, 2022 on some support policies for digital transformation in 2022-2025.
“These important documents clearly demonstrate determination; engage the participation of the entire political system from the provincial to grassroots levels for comprehensive digital transformation," he added.
The province has established 1,529 community digital transformation teams with 10,851 members across all areas. Yen Bai is among the first three provinces to do so nationwide. These teams organize digital transformation events, guide residents on the digital citizenship platform (Yen Bai - S), host conferences, and partner with companies. Notable initiatives include Van Yen district recognizing nearly 9,000 digital citizens and Yen Bai City’s "Online Thursday" model, along with a pilot for labeling Shan Tuyet tea in Suoi Giang commune.
Along with the government, people have also changed their thinking and awareness and gradually become active participants in digital transformation, with activities like electronic transactions, electronic health insurance cards and remote medical examination and treatment services.
Towards digital government, digital economy and digital society
With the high determination and effective methods of the province, digital transformation has made much progress in Yen Bai although it has limited resources for this work. In 2022, Yen Bai ranked 15th out of 63 provinces and cities, up 25 places from 2020; and ranked 3rd out of 63 provinces and cities in DTI Index improvements. The province strives to basically complete digital transformation targets on all three pillars by 2025: Digital government, digital economy and digital society.
Currently, 100% of specialized databases of agencies are connected to the Provincial Public Service Portal. The document management and administration platform has activated nearly 12,000 user accounts. All governmental agencies have adopted electronic reporting (digital signature). In addition, the province completed digitizing, updating and synchronizing 24,352 records (100%) of civil servants with the national civil servant database. It also strongly deployed paperless meeting rooms. In 2021, Yen Bai City operated its Intelligent Operations Center (IOC) with the goal of building digital citizens in the digital economy and digital society.
Its digital economy has grown quite well, accounting for 12.2% of the gross regional domestic product (GRDP). To date, 100% of local enterprises are using digital platforms; the digital economy in industries and fields is about 5.73% on average; and e-commerce to total retail sales is 9.3%. Up to 50% of businesses are using electronic contracts. Workers in the digital economy account for over 1.6% of the workforce.
The province has issued 89 growing area codes and supported bringing nearly 5,000 agricultural products to e-commerce platforms. The Market Model 4.0, featured by cashless payment, has been deployed in all nine districts, towns and cities with more than 600 QR code scanning points for cashless payment. Among adults, 68.72% are using cashless payment services.
The digital society in Yen Bai is thriving, with four companies launching electronic medical records platforms. Two hundred medical facilities now use chip-embedded ID cards and VNeID for patient care, and all accept cashless payments. In education, 410 of 442 schools (92.8%) have implemented school management software, regularly updating sector-specific databases. Additionally, all schools utilize electronic academic records and communication channels, while over 65% of adults frequently access the "Yen Bai S" app.
The Department of Information and Communications will focus on enhancing digital transformation institutions and applying new technologies such as AI, blockchain, big data, and to improve governance and business operations. They will also train civil servants in relevant skills. “Yen Bai aims to leverage digital transformation to enhance people's happiness and drive sustainable provincial development in a ‘Green, harmonious, unique, and happy’ direction,” said Manh.
By Huong Giang, Vietnam Business Forum
Vietnamese
