Topic: Information

The Ministry of Information and Communications tightens oversight of imported technology goods with a focus on consumer safety and compliance standards.

Amid rampant leaks and illegal trading of personal information, the Ministry of Public Security proposes a robust legal framework to safeguard citizens' data privacy.

Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) has sent a document to the Office of the Government and the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) proposing the integration and sharing of information on business registration certificates through the National Public Service Portal. This will further simplify procedures for businesses using electronic services and contribute to further improve Vietnam’s business environment.

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has said that collecting information on businesses using trading apps on mobile phones to support investment in financial products is quite difficult. Investors need to carefully research information about mobilizing organizations and ask partners to provide legal documents before making an investment, such as establishment and operational licenses, business lines, and so on. MoF suggested that investors research information on securities companies, fund management companies, and securities investment funds on the website of the State Securities Commission (SSC).

Figures from the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) show that, in September, Vietnam saw a total of 265 million new downloads of mobile apps, ranking it tenth-highest in the world after India, the US, Brazil, China, Indonesia, Russia, Mexico, Pakistan, and Turkey. The number of new downloads in Vietnam is mainly video games, such as entertainment, action, intelligence, puzzles, adventure, and so on.

According to the GSMA’s Digital Society Index released in August, Vietnam ranks seventh among countries in the Asia-Pacific region in terms of digital society, after Australia, South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Thailand, and Malaysia. It also ranked fifth in terms of digital commerce pillars and seventh in terms of digital lifestyles. The Ministry of Information and Communications has said that the total number of users on Vietnamese digital platforms reached over 494 million in August, an increase of 23.56 per cent year-on-year.

The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee held a meeting on September 19 to discuss the revised Law on Electronic Transactions, which is expected to be submitted to the NA at its October meeting. The NA Chairman emphasized that the revised Law must ensure information security, citizenship, and privacy, and not generate additional procedures and conditions.

The Ministry of Information and Communications has said that all ministries, agencies, and localities have now established steering committees on digital transformation. Forty-nine of Vietnam’s 63 cities and provinces have built more than 42,000 community digital technology groups to help people with the process.

The Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) introduced three platforms for State management at a conference on September 13: virtual assistants for information and communications (kiki@gov.vn); an overall governance platform; and a portal on the application of information technology in investment projects. Upon completion, the platforms are expected to be widely applied in ministries, sectors, and localities around the country. Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung asked that these platforms be approached closely and bring value.

On September 10, at a ceremony recognizing Vietnam’s Top 10 Information and Communications Technology (ICT) companies in 2022, the Vietnam Software and Information Technology Services Association (VINASA) established an information technology business club of members in the sector earning revenue of more than VND1 trillion ($42.6 million). The club will aim to accompany the government in resolving major problems facing the country, and lead the development of the industry and support for digital enterprises.