Grant Amount: US$ 29,500

Keywords: INTERNET, GOVERNANCE, POLICY, RURAL, VIET NAM

Geographic coverage: Viet Nam

Objective

The objective of this project is to prepare policy recommendations to increase the use of information and communications technology (ICT) tools in rural business.

Research context

The rapid development of ICTs in Viet Nam has created opportunities and challenges for socio-economic development in rural areas. This project focuses on the shift to new modes of economic activity influenced by the application of ICTs by investigating the policy environment and the experiences of grassroots organizations, businesses, and households in rural areas. The project aims to produce recommendations for policy-making that can be used by government authorities and businesses to increase ICT development in rural areas.

Target beneficiaries

The project contributes to the formulation of strategy, policy and master plans that promote ICT development in rural areas of Viet Nam. Government bodies, donors agencies, researchers, companies and local communities in rural areas can use the study for funding plans, input for further research, awareness raising campaigns or education and training.

Outputs

• Recommendations on policy measures;
• Report on policy affecting deployment of ICTs in rural areas of Viet Nam;
• Report assessing ICT application for business development in rural areas in Viet Nam; 
• Report on experiences from other countries on ICT deployment in rural areas; and
• A final project report.

Research results and outcomes

At the time of writing no final report was available for this project although it had completed a number of its stated objectives and outputs as outlined below.

The project held an inception workshop on ICT development in Viet Nam. Among the more than 70 participants in this workshop were the ICT experts, researchers, policy makers, officers from ministries, government organizations, non-governmental organizations, ICT software and hardware developers, service providers, ICT training centres and universities, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and households from villages in the Red River Delta and Northern Viet Nam.

The project completed an assessment of the current state polices and strategies on ICT development in Viet Nam. The assessment covered a review of legal documents and included a series of interviews with government officials from provinces and ministries on the current situation and future vision for ICT development in rural areas.

The project completed the compilation of foreign experiences on challenges in ICT deployments in rural areas, their social and economic impacts, common policy frameworks, and common strategies for successful initiatives.

The project is conducting a national survey of business enterprises in rural areas. The survey will be used to assess the impact of ICTs on business development, and analyse the difficulties, needs and readiness of businesses. The survey will also consider how the ICT policy environment affects businesses.

Recommendations of the researchers have contributed to the development of government ICT policy and strategy documents. Among the most notable of these are the National Strategy for ICT Development to 2010, ICT Orientation to 2020 and the National Master Plan for Telecommunications and Internet Development to 2010. ICT for rural areas and business development has been highlighted in these documents.

Some research results have also been utilized in other research projects such as e-Commerce Development in Viet Nam, Development of Traditional Villages in Viet Nam, Measures to Provide Science and Technology Information to Rural and Remote Areas, and Free and Open Source Software for ICT Development. Completed work to date, related documents and materials are available from the project office.

Duration

Start Date: August 2004
End Date: May 2006
Total Duration: 22 Months

Contact information

Mr. Vu Thi Thanh Huong
Expert, Department for Planning and Finance
Ministry of Science and Technology
39 Tran Hung Dao Street, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
Telephone: +84 4 943 8519
Fax: +84 4 943 9736
Email: vtthuong@most.gov.vn

Website: http://www.most.gov.vn