On March 22, the NDA held its inaugural National Congress with the participation of General Secretary To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and leaders from various government agencies, associations, and businesses.

The association was established with the mission of connecting management agencies, businesses, organizations, and individuals in the data field, aiming to build a strong data ecosystem that promotes digital economic development and maximizes data value within the national economy.

General Secretary To Lam emphasized that the nation is entering the dawn of the digital era, where data serves as the lifeblood of the digital economy.

Recognizing its importance, the Party and State have proactively formulated strategic orientations for data development, legal frameworks, data governance, and data connectivity and sharing. Resolution 57 clearly outlines that data is central to digital transformation.

However, To Lam acknowledged existing challenges, including fragmented data, inadequate connectivity, and a shortage of high-quality human resources.

He stressed the need for a legal framework to support data management and highlighted the essential task of creating high-quality, interconnected data that serves the nation's development.

The National Data Association and relevant agencies must work to ensure data is utilized effectively and efficiently.

The inaugural congress attracted 200 official delegates, representing nearly 400 members from organizations and individuals participating in the association.

The event marked a significant milestone in consolidating the organization, setting operational directions for the next five years, and affirming the association's pioneering role in implementing Resolution 57 of the Politburo on scientific, technological, and digital transformation breakthroughs.

With high consensus, the congress passed an important resolution and officially elected Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang as the Chairman of the National Data Association.

In his address, Chairman Luong Tam Quang emphasized that the association would act as a bridge between businesses and build a diverse and stable data ecosystem, meeting the demands of sustainable digital transformation across various fields.

The association’s key priorities in its first term include collaborating with relevant authorities to promote and disseminate national data policies and laws, providing input on legal documents, and consulting with competent state agencies on data sector development.

The NDA also commits to assisting relevant agencies upon request, guided by its clear mission, objectives, and orientation.

Its establishment is expected to consolidate and protect the legitimate rights of its members while promoting knowledge sharing, experience exchange, and the application of scientific and technological achievements in the data sector.

Moreover, the association will play an active role in advancing the national digital transformation process and developing the data economy.

National Data Center - Core platform for the digital era

Earlier, on February 25, the Ministry of Public Security announced the establishment of the National Data Center, which was tasked by the government with building, managing, exploiting, and operating a centralized data system.

The center is designed to integrate, synchronize, store, share, analyze, and coordinate data from state agencies in accordance with legal regulations. It will play a key role in forming a comprehensive human data repository and aggregating national data from various databases.

The center serves as the core platform for providing data-related services, supporting policy-making, fostering the development of digital government, digital society, and digital economy, while also ensuring national defense and security.

It offers technological infrastructure to political and social organizations, national databases, and other entities requiring data management, operation, and cybersecurity assurance.

The establishment of the National Data Center, along with the launch of the National Data Association, represents a crucial step in the nation’s digital transformation strategy, advancing the data economy and building a sustainable digital era for the country.

Thai Khang