A Poke Needed for Vietnam's E-government Acceleration

In line with e-government development process of international organizations which comprises four stages: appearance, interaction, exchange, and integration, the development process of e-government model in Vietnam is in the first stage (information supply - appearance) and the second stage (supply of form– exchange). The third stage of e-government development process has seen in some localities. 

 

E-government concept has been in infancy in Vietnam since the 1990s of the last century. Since 2000, the e-government concept has been continuously mentioned on mass media as well as in IT development policies or administrative reforms. However, to work out a comprehensive master plan on e-government development is not easy. Vietnam is on the way to build the plan for e-government development.  

 Lots of conferences, especially specific conferences on e-government have been held by IDG and Vietnamese relevant agencies in recent years, drawing the participation of concerned ministries and agencies. The most recent conference on e-government was the national sixth conference on Vietnam e-government (eGov 2008) in Hanoi from December 16-17, 2008. The eGov 2008 has showed due attention of relevant agencies as well as the whole society to the issue.  

 

During the eGov 2008, information technology (IT) experts and managers discussed building of e-government in parallel with administrative reform,andIT applicationin the State’s administrative management. The event aimed at changing thought, organisation strategy and building of e-government in parallel with administrative reform in stead of computerisation of administrative management in passive and separate way.  

It is clear that, Vietnamese people have benefited much from IT application programmes in line with development of e-government. For example, local people can get access to the Government’s e-portal and websites of State-owned agencies to get more information about apparatus, policies, regulations and guidelines timely and quickly; study online administrative procedures (administrative service level 1), download and print into different copies of online administrative procedures (administrative service level 2), send application online (administrative service level 3); give ideals and suggestion to the Government’s law making; hold online exchanges State high-ranking official; send online petitions to relevant agencies.... 

 

For taxation sector, enterprises have updated with latest documents through websites timely, conveniently and then they can make online tax reports. For customs sector, online customs procedures though are in the process of reform, they have received support from enterprises… To date, many State-run sectors have paid more attention to IT application in dealing with administrative procedures, or holding talks with residents. IT application in line with development of e-government has been successfully carried out in some localities including HCM City, Lao Cai, Tay Ho District - Hanoi, Ngo Quyen District – Hai Phong...It can be said that this is the first administrative modules for the development of e-government and showed positive results.  

 

However, to build an e-government in the true sense of the word, the achievements are not enough and persuasive. Whenever refer to e-government development plan, lawmakers, IT experts and local people always have doubts. In fact, the concept of e-government is still a popular idea at seminars. It is also the same with other issues that have been mentioned at conferences in the past. No one makes sure that these issues have been dealt with thoroughly… 

 

On December 12, Lao Cai’s E-government Portal made its debut based on application of Microsoft technology. However, the portal is only the upgrade of the Lao Cai Provincial People’s Committee’s website. At present, the portal supplies three trial services: business licence grant, registration and grant of sealed licence, and online tax registration. It is easy to see big difference in localities and agencies in IT application in settlement of these issues. It has proved that it is necessary to build a master plan on e-government development.  

 

Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Minh Hong, said the ministry has been carrying out IT application plan in State-run agencies in 2008 and will submit a plan on IT application in State-run agencies in the 2009-2010 period to Prime Minister. After the two plans, the national programme on IT application in State-owned agencies for the 2011-2015 period will be built and carried out. 

 

In line with the Prime Minister’s guidelines, from now to 2010, Vietnam will carry out two IT application plans in State-run agencies. The IT application plan for 2008 has been approved at Decree 43/2008/QD-TTg dated March 24, 2008. The IT application plan in State-run agencies for the 2009-2010 period are being built and will be ratified by Prime Minister in the upcoming time with the aims to boost IT application in State-run agencies in line with e-government development by 2010 and the vision to 2015. Under the plan, 100 per cent of ministries, governmental agencies, cities and provinces directly under the central Government have e-portal or websites by 2010 in line with regulations stated in Article 28 of Law on Information Technology; 80 per cent (in 2009, 60 per cent) of e-portals or websites of ministries and governmental agencies, provincial people’s committees and 100 per cent of e-portals of cities directly under the central Government supply online State services level 2 for local residents and enterprises; increase supplies of online State services level 3 on e-portals of provinces and cities directly under the central Government.  

 

By 2010, Vietnam aims to complete foundation of e-government development in which the country will focus on development of IT and communication infrastructure, database, module and standards, trial models; implementation of measures to ensure information security; perfection of legal framework. The country also targets to provide most State services through websites and e-portals level 3 or 4 by 2015 to better serve demands of local residents and enterprises.