Key ICT Information

• As of June 2002, the number of Internet subscribers totalled more than 170,000, accounting for 0.22 percent of the population.
• The actual number of people using Internet services is much higher, accounting for 1.3 percent of the total population.
• Internet subscribers increased to 10,000, meeting only 6 percent of the plan for its popularisation. Adding the number of people accessing via Internet cards, the total number of new subscribers reached 35,000.
• The total number of telephone subscribers connected since the beginning of 2002 is around 230,000, raising the total number of telephone subscribers to five million. This translates to 6.25 telephones per 100 inhabitants. Fixedline telephones account for 69 percent.
• Currently, Vietnam has 3 Internet access providers and 12 ISPs.
• Among the 12 ISPs, the top four have captured the following market shares: Vietnam Data Communications accounts for 56 percent, Financing and Promoting Investment 31 percent, Saigon Postel 7 percent, and Netnam 6 percent.
• The IT sector of Vietnam is divided as follows: 80 percent for hardware and 20 percent for software, content and services.

Education

• The approximately 200 universities, colleges, professional and vocational training schools in Vietnam, and most of the high schools, are equipped with computers. So too are many secondary and primary schools.
• According to statistics, around 70 percent of universities are connected to the Internet, while 29 percent have their own websites.
• Hanoi Polytechnic University, which was launched at the end of 2002 with linkages to electronic libraries of overseas universities.
  

e-Government

• The government is actively implementing the state management computerisation project to improve the capacity of state management bodies in providing public services conveniently, quickly and of high quality.
• Ho Chi Minh city has already brought into operation the dialogue information network for use between businesses and authorised agencies, as well as implemented online registration. It is currently implementing the system for issuing land-use licences online, which is being piloted in District 1 of the city.
• The General Department of Customs has a pilot system for electronic customs declaration.

Distance Learning and e-Learning

• Vietnam has 8 universities providing distance learning at different levels for 18,000 students.
• The largest programme is conducted by the National University of Ho Chi Minh City, which has a capacity for 8,000 students.

Software

• It is estimated that local companies account for 35 percent of the total market.
• Revenue generated from software and software services was estimated at US$70 million in 2001.
• The goal is to achieve a US$500 million turnover for the software and related services sector by 2005.

Hardware Industry

• The total number of computers imported into Vietnam was estimated at 150,000 in 2001. Of this total, fully assembled units accounted for 20 percent, while the remaining 80 percent were assembled locally, mostly without quality and trademark registration.
• The annual growth rate of computers is around 20 percent.
• There are now approximately 1,300,000 computers in the entire country.

Open Source

• Vietnam Informatics and Electronics Corporation, together with the Vietkey Group, developed the Vietnam Linux operating system called Vietkeylinux.
• The Computer and Communication Company <http://www.cmc.com.vn> also localised Linux based on Linux Redhat version 7.

Initiatives

Key Programmes

• "Developing and Improving Telecommunications and Internet Infrastructures", headed by the Directorate General of Post and Telecommunications
• "Developing IT Human Resources", implemented by the Ministry of Education and Training.
• "Establishing and Developing the Software Industry", by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment.
• "Establishing and Developing the Hardware Industry", executed by the Ministry of Industry.

Key Projects

• Project 1: "Improving and Upgrading the Party's Information System" is the main responsibility of the Central Office of the Communist Party
• Project 2: "Modernising the Banking System" managed by the State Bank of Vietnam
• Project 3: "Completing the Financial Information System" is the main responsibility of the Ministry of Finance
• Project 4: "Modernising the Customs Information System" by the General Department of Customs
• Project 5: "Improving the State's Statistical Information System" by the Department General of Statistics.
• Project 6: "Organising and Developing E-Commerce" headed by the Ministry of Trade
• Project 7: "Using IT for Industrialising and Modernising Agriculture and Rural Development" is the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
• Project 8: "Developing Pilot Information Systems for Urban Management in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City" is carried out by the Hanoi People's Committee and Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee
• Project 9: "Using and Developing IT in National Defence" is taken main responsibility of the Ministry of Defence
• Project 10: "Using and Developing IT in National Security" is the main responsibility of the Ministry of Police.
• Project 11: "The Electronic Information System on Science-Technology, Education-Training and Culture- Society" headed by the Ministry of Culture and Information
• Project 12: "Improving the Electronic Information System on Law" managed by the Ministry of Justice

Source: Digital Review for Asia Pacific