Hanoi (VNA) – Russiais willing to assist Vietnam in developing its e-government via free-of-chargeconsultancy, technology transfer, and training of experts, said a Russian official.

Mikhail Mamonov, Russian DeputyMinister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media, made thestatement at a working session with Minister-Chairman of the Government OfficeMai Tien Dung in Hanoi on February 20.

Dung commended the outcomes of workingsessions between the Russian delegation and Vietnamese agencies during theirvisit to Vietnam from February 18 to 20.

The delegation had previouslyheld meetings with the Ministry of Information and Communications, the HanoiPeople’s Committee, and leading Vietnamese IT groups. Divided into threeworking groups to discuss with Vietnamese partners in fields of shared concern,they studied Vietnam’s proposals related to public service portal,e-verification system, centre for cyber security, and smart city building. 

Dung said Vietnam still lacks institutionsand legal documents related to the building of an e-government, while facingdifficulties in linking data of different ministries, sectors and localities.

The country is working to pushfor data security as well as data connection and sharing among public agenciesand between the agencies and the grassroots toward building a digitalgovernment and economy, he added.

The minister asked Russia to helpVietnam build its public service portal, information systems, an interactionchannel between the government, people and businesses, a centre for government operation,and a centre for cyber security within the Government Office. The Russianassistance was also expected to come to Hanoi’s smart city development.

Noting that the VietnameseGovernment prioritises mobilising investments from businesses in the field andleasing IT infrastructure from the group, Dung recommended Vietnamese andRussian firms work on technology transfer and asked the Russian side toevaluate made-in-Vietnam products.

He requested Russia supplyVietnam with information on legal framework for e-government building and helpthe country train experts in the field.

For his part, Mamonov put forth anumber of projects that Russia can immediately begin. They included givingVietnam draft legal documents on the procedures of handling circulateddocuments and on ensuring information security in cyberspace; building a centrefor information safety in Vietnam with the engagement of Russian businesses andtraining establishments.

Russia also can help Vietnam to formRussian-model public service centres in different units under the Vietnam Post,build a public service portal of the Vietnamese Government, and design softwareused on smartphones, which helps people send their feedback to the authorities.-VNA