Quoc Oai District: Citizens, businesses at the heart of digital transformation

The digital transformation in Quoc Oai District is focused on people and businesses with local authorities visiting homes to guide residents in using digital services and applications.

Deputy Chairman of Quoc Oai People's Committee Hoang Nguyen Ung talked to Hanoi Portal about the district's digital transformation drive.

Hoang Nguyen Ung, Deputy Chairman of Quoc Oai District People's Committee.

What measures does Quoc Oai District have in place for digital transformation?

Digital transformation has become a widespread movement in Quoc Oai District. The district has focused on raising awareness among government officials, public servants, and people to foster consensus, responsibility, and determination to achieve the set goals and objectives of digital transformation.

The district has encouraged cashless payments, partnered with the Hanoi Department of Information and Communication to provide training on smart city development, and guided people to use online learning platforms. In addition, the district has rolled out digital literacy training on a large scale, which is available at https://onetouch.mic.gov.vn.

We have also shared success stories and digital transformation models from around the world, Vietnam, and Hanoi with businesses and residents. The district has provided citizens with comprehensive digital skills to create a more equitable digital society and aims to fully establish a digital culture with the widespread use of national digital platforms.

The district also conducted electronic tests to assess the digital literacy of all government employees, students, and community members. Citizens, in turn, received assistance in accessing online public services and essential services such as healthcare, education, e-commerce, electronic payments, tourism, postal services, and transportation.

Recently, Quoc Oai District has worked with telecom group Viettel to provide free 4G handsets to customers to replace their 2G phones as part of the plan to switch off 2G technology.

Residents of Quoc Oai District wait in line to file administrative applications. Photo: Hanoi Portal

This initiative is part of the District's broader strategy to promote the digital economy and society. It also demonstrates the district's strong commitment to the National Digital Transformation Day on October 10, and the month-long action campaign for Digital Transformation 2024, by deploying local teams on community digital transformation.

The Quoc Oai District People's Committee has issued various directives to roll out the city and district's digital transformation strategy, which aims to turn Hanoi into a smart city in 2025-2030. These directives focus on tasks outlined in the National Digital Transformation Plan, such as applying information technology in state agencies, developing an e-government platform, and ensuring the district's cybersecurity in 2022-2025.

What have you accomplished with digital transformation?

Digital platforms are considered a breakthrough solution to drive digital transformation. Our agencies have developed and implemented various digital platforms to gradually shift government activities to the digital environment, contributing to the development of three key pillars: digital government, digital society, and digital economy.

All government officials in the district now use document management programs and official email systems to receive, process, and present documents, ensuring timely and quality administration. Digital signatures are now used by all government agencies, and all public service requests from citizens and businesses are handled through digital platforms. Satisfaction levels of citizens and businesses using online public services are also publicly monitored.

Quoc Oai has also developed and integrated applications into the National Electronic Identity and Authentication System, such as e-wallets for cashless and utility payments, and used QR codes for traceability to market local OCOP (One Commune, One Product) items and agricultural products on e-commerce platforms. In addition, QR codes are being installed at historical sites for self-guided tours.

The district's socio-economic development has benefited greatly from the active application of digital transformation in a number of sectors, including education, healthcare, social welfare, justice, environment, finance, and internal affairs.

The meeting of the district to launch digital transformation tasks in 2024-2025. Photo: Hanoi Portal

What are the challenges facing your digital transformation?

Despite the strategic vision and strong political will, the process of digital transformation in Quoc Oai District is fraught with difficulties. These include the uneven level of IT skills among government employees and agencies, with some having little or no expertise in the field. In addition, most communes and towns lack dedicated IT staff and there is a shortage of IT expertise.

Another challenge is the outdated IT infrastructure in several units, which was installed many years ago. Without funding for upgrades, this has negatively impacted operations and the implementation of shared information systems introduced by the City.

These challenges highlight the need for a change in mindset, as well as the need to attract resources and train professionals in information technology and digital transformation.

What is the plan for the steps to come?

As individuals are the first to benefit from digital transformation, Quoc Oai District has launched a number of important programs to improve everyone's knowledge and skills in technology. The district wants to show the public the usefulness and benefits of technology.

In addition, the District seeks to strengthen its strategic vision and encourage innovation in the digital transformation of government agencies, businesses, and communes. It also emphasizes accountability, holding leaders at all levels responsible for the progress and outcomes of digital transformation.

To bridge the digital divide and promote IT applications across the district, we have issued a plan to advance digital transformation models in administrative reform in 2024-2025. This plan includes incorporating digital transformation goals into our annual socio-economic development strategies, and regularly monitoring and evaluating results to draw lessons for future phases.

Thank you for your time.