Prime Minister launches Digital Literacy for All platform

THE HANOI TIMES — Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh launched a platform for Binh dan hoc vu so (Digital Literacy for All) movement on March 26 in Hanoi, marking its potential to bridge the digital divide, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

As part of this initiative, the Ministry of Science and Technology will unveil a national digital learning platform, developed by the Ministry of Public Security, aimed at enhancing digital literacy and fostering technology adoption across the country.

The platform seeks to equip citizens with essential digital skills, supporting the growth of a digitally adaptive community while advancing e-government, the digital economy, and a smart society.

This vision mirrors a historic literacy campaign that shaped Vietnam’s progress. Eighty years ago, as the country gained independence, over 95% of the population was illiterate. President Ho Chi Minh responded with the “Binh dan hoc vu” (Mass Education) movement, a nationwide effort that empowered citizens through knowledge. Just as literacy once drove national development, digital literacy is now key to Vietnam’s future.

The platform, accessible at  https://binhdanhocvuso.gov.vn , will offer essential technology knowledge, online courses on digital skills, and guidance on using computers, smart devices, social media, and online public services. It will also educate users on internet access, cybersecurity, and fraud prevention.

Government agencies are required to provide learning materials on the platform while cutting training costs by 80%. The initiative also promotes public-private partnerships to expand digital education.

Chinh said that the Digital Literacy for All must become a nationwide movement, closely linked with the ongoing “National Learning Society and Lifelong Learning Promotion Program (2023-2030).”

"This initiative would benefit the nation and its people, helping Vietnam advance in the digital era," said Chinh.

He urged leaders at all levels to prioritize digital capacity building and digital transformation as a core mission, integrating it with administrative reforms and socio-economic development.

"Technology enterprises are expected to take a leading role in digital skill education by offering accessible platforms and services, collaborating with the government and citizens in the digital transition," he said.

The prime minister also called for the swift implementation of the National Digital Skills Development Project, integrating digital knowledge and AI into general education, investing in digital infrastructure for remote areas, and providing digital devices for disadvantaged groups. Community-based digital technology teams, along with initiatives such as “Digital Families” and “Digital Rural Areas,” will help spread digital literacy across all regions.

The Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Education and Training will jointly develop a digital competency framework and tailor educational materials for different demographics, he said.

Chinh said through this movement, government officials, workers, and students will enhance their digital skills, enabling them to work, study, and interact more efficiently in the digital space. The goal is to ensure that all citizens, including those in rural areas, can access and utilize essential digital services safely and effectively.

Before the launch ceremony, the prime minister visited an exhibition showcasing technological achievements from the Ministry of Public Security, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, and other educational institutions.