After eight decades of nation-building and development, Viet Nam has made remarkable progress in information technology and digital transformation. From a traditional agricultural country, Viet Nam has undergone a strong transformation to become one of the pioneers in the region in applying digital technology to state management and public services.
One of the most outstanding achievements in Viet Nam’s digital transformation journey is the successful development and implementation of the National Population Database.
National digital transformation platform
In the past, whenever Nguyen Lan Huong (Lang Ward, Ha Noi) had to deal with administrative procedures or banking transactions, she had to prepare piles of photocopied documents: ID card/citizen ID, household registration, vehicle registration, etc.
Now, using the VNeID application, she only needs to carry her mobile phone.
Huong expressed her satisfaction: “With VNeID, I feel many things in daily life have become much more convenient. Now, I just open the app, and all my personal information and integrated documents are already there. It’s neat, accurate, saves time, and avoids the risk of losing papers.”
This is one of the benefits that the National Population Database System has brought to millions of Vietnamese citizens.
“The national population database was created with the goal of being a major information system, the ‘root’ database for all Vietnamese citizens,” emphasised Lieutenant Colonel Tran Duy Hien, Deputy Director of the Population Data Centre under the Department of Administrative Management of Social Order, Ministry of Public Security.
He added that it is not merely a database but “an important resource in the digital transformation process”, with VNeID serving as “a tool to connect with, serve citizens, and maximise the value of the National Database”.
According to the Department of Administrative Management of Social Order, as of August 2025, the National Population Database had been connected to 15 ministries, one state-owned enterprise (EVN), three telecommunications enterprises, and 34 provinces and cities.
This comprehensive connectivity has created a seamless information network, enabling state agencies to share and exploit data effectively, eliminating the “information fragmentation” that existed in the past.
The system’s scale demonstrates its reliability and efficiency, having received more than 2.1 billion requests for information verification (an increase of over 200 million compared with the end of 2024), more than 1.2 billion of which were successfully processed with accurate data.
VNeID – A symbol of digital citizenship
The VNeID application — the national digital identity — has successfully digitised key personal documents, creating a comprehensive “digital wallet” for every Vietnamese citizen.
VNeID has digitised six main groups of documents, including more than 20.2 million driving licences, nearly 7.5 million vehicle registrations, more than 26.4 million health insurance cards, and hundreds of thousands of marriage certificates and judicial record extracts.
VNeID has also been successfully integrated with 13 commercial banks, allowing citizens to conduct financial transactions safely and conveniently.
The development of VNeID has gone beyond digitising papers, expanding into a comprehensive digital service ecosystem. The app has integrated essential services in daily life, such as two digital signature services, two e-wallets, two pharmacy chains, and two airlines offering online ticket purchase and check-in services.
Nguyen Kim Anh, a resident of Cau Giay Ward, Ha Noi, shared: “I once used VNeID to receive a parcel. I just presented the digital ID on the app, and it was immediately verified, with no need to search for a physical card. Small changes like this make life much less troublesome.”
Integrating with services ensures a seamless experience for citizens, allowing for clear records and traceability.
Security – the foundation of digital trust
One of the biggest challenges in digital transformation is information security and the protection of citizens’ privacy.
Lieutenant Colonel Tran Duy Hien affirmed: “For connected units sharing and utilising data, citizens can control which information is accessed and processed. Connected units must comply with the provisions of Decree 69/2024/ND-CP on electronic identification and authentication.”
He also stressed that “the system complies with national security and safety standards, verified by specialised units of the Ministry of Public Security,” demonstrating a commitment to protecting citizens’ rights and personal data.
Under Decree 69/2024/ND-CP, all entities connected to the National Population Database must adhere to strict security standards. Citizens have the right to control their personal data and decide whether or not it can be shared with other services.
Technology for the people
A highlight of Viet Nam’s digital transformation is its human-centred approach. Recognising the challenges faced by the elderly and those less familiar with technology, the Department of Administrative Management of Social Order has deployed mobile teams to provide direct support in issuing digital identity accounts.
Lieutenant Colonel Hien explained: “For the elderly, residents in remote areas, and vulnerable groups, our department, in coordination with local agencies, has set up mobile teams to collect documents and issue digital identity accounts at homes or convenient locations.”
This policy reflects Viet Nam’s approach of “technology for the people”, ensuring that the benefits of digital transformation are equitably shared across all social groups, regardless of age or technological literacy.
Sharing his first experience of giving constitutional feedback digitally, Tran Quoc Tuan, a resident of Residential Group 27A, Giang Vo Ward, Ha Noi, said: “During the recent consultation on constitutional amendments, I was guided to give feedback directly via VNeID. At first, I was a bit unfamiliar, but after a few steps I got used to it. It was fast and accurate, with no need to fill out paper forms as before.”
Since April 2025, the Ministry of Public Security has also officially brought content from Nhan Dan Newspaper onto the VNeID app to serve citizens.
The success of the National Population Database and VNeID is only the first step in building a digital government and digital society in Viet Nam. With this solid foundation, Viet Nam is now moving towards expanding digital services and integrating new sectors such as education, healthcare, and e-commerce.
However, to sustain this momentum, Viet Nam must continue investing in research and development, improving digital literacy among citizens, and constantly refining the legal framework to keep pace with rapid technological change.
Looking back, Lieutenant Colonel Hien remarked: “The implementation of the National Population Database and the VNeID application can be considered a historic journey, marking a new milestone in the national digital transformation process.”
After 80 years of nation-building and development, Viet Nam has demonstrated its ability not only to keep up but also to lead in certain areas of technology. With more than two billion transactions successfully processed, tens of millions of documents digitised, and an increasingly rich service ecosystem, Viet Nam is affirming its position on the regional and global technology map.
This achievement not only reflects technical progress but also the spirit of innovation, creativity, and aspiration for advancement of the Vietnamese people in the new era.
