The merger of the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) will create a stronger, more unified ministry to better drive national digital transformation, according to Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung.

On the afternoon of December 9, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung chaired the fourth-quarter 2024 state management briefing of the MIC with provincial departments of information and communications.

Held in both in-person and online formats, with 66 connection points, the meeting included the participation of Deputy Minister Pham Duc Long, IT specialists from various ministries and sectors, and directors and deputy directors of MIC’s subordinate units.

According to the MIC, provincial departments of information and communications made significant contributions to various areas of the sector in the fourth quarter, including digital technology, telecommunications, and media. For example:

Binh Duong completed the undergrounding and tidying of telecom cables on 21 streets spanning 40 km.

Hai Phong achieved 100% internet connectivity at postal service points in all communes.

Hai Duong reached 100% mobile coverage for its population.

In digital economy initiatives, several provinces supported enterprises in developing e-commerce platforms and promoting products. For instance:

Da Nang developed its Make-in-DaNang digital transformation platform.

Can Tho proposed an "Online Rice Market" project.

Bac Lieu designed plans to assist enterprises in establishing an online presence.

In media and communication, Thua Thien Hue launched and operated a provincial spokesperson network system integrated into the Hue-S platform. By November 28, this system processed 185 media inquiries and provided 139 pieces of information from state agencies to 88 media outlets.

Minister Nguyen Manh Hung emphasized the importance of learning from international practices and provincial successes. He highlighted the need for provinces to share experiences, especially in novel areas like digital transformation.

For instance, 55 provinces have issued plans for digital infrastructure development. Other provinces can learn from their approaches. Similarly, Hanoi has made progress by contracting cloud services, migrating data from old systems to the cloud, and launching a program to repurpose old computers.

To institutionalize knowledge sharing, the Minister tasked the MIC office with drafting regulations requiring department heads to collect and share best practices from ministries, agencies, and provinces quarterly.

“There’s nothing more valuable than learning from each other’s experiences,” Minister Hung stressed.

On digital transformation, he encouraged a mindset shift to simplify complex challenges: “Building data warehouses is not difficult; writing applications is incredibly easy. Departments should outsource such tasks to businesses. The key task is transferring data from old storage to new storage while ensuring data warehouses grow over time.”

The Minister added, “Digital transformation may sound intimidating, but at its core, it’s simply about organizing and utilizing data efficiently.”

For areas lacking mobile coverage, such as in Ha Tinh, he directed the Telecommunications Authority to guide local departments in identifying specific underserved areas, including their coordinates, population, and other metrics, to facilitate effective solutions.

During the briefing, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung provided insights into the upcoming merger of the MIC and MST, noting its benefits for the country and the sector.

“A merged ministry will form a stronger apparatus to drive digital transformation more effectively,” he explained.

Minister Hung elaborated on the positive outcomes of the merger, stating that the synergy of two previously independent ministries will create a key multi-sector body essential to Vietnam’s future.

However, he acknowledged concerns among staff and stressed the importance of unity: “Leaders of the two ministries and their departments must work together, exchange ideas, and meet with staff to explain the changes. Solidarity is essential to prevent any conflicts.”

He emphasized that the MIC and MST are equally important and urged all staff to maintain normal operations, avoid complacency, and focus on the positives of the merger.

“We must set aside personal concerns and focus on the greater good,” Minister Hung concluded.

Van Anh-Trong Dat