The information was released at a seminar in Hanoi on May 27 on e-government communication infrastructure in the 21st century, which was co-organised by the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) and the leading US information technology company (Cisco).

E-government is a model in which information and communication technology (ICT) is widely used to help Government agencies work more effectively and transparently while providing better services for people, businesses and organisations. This also aims to create more favourable conditions for people to practise their democratic rights and involve in State management.

Although Vietnam’s ICT sector has blossomed in recent times, its communication infrastructure failed to meet the requirements for the development of e-government. To raise the effectiveness of the model, it is important to upgrade and develop the communication infrastructure.

In the future, the MoIC will cooperate with relevant agencies to upgrade the communication infrastructure of State agencies. Accordingly, the focus will be put on the upgrading and application of advanced technologies, such as Internet broadband, Voice IP and Wireless networking in order to facilitate the implementation of the model from now until 2015

Cisco General Director, James Chia, said that apart from upgrading ICT infrastructure, Vietnam should increase the professional skills of its young labour force, which he said will play a key role in helping State agencies successfully develop e-government. To this end, Vietnam needs policies on providing assistance to human resource training in the ICT sector, he added.

During the seminar, participants also gave opinions on the development of e-government in Vietnam. They suggested the country call for financial assistance from businesses to build a good ICT network and develop e-government in remote areas.  

Source: VOV