Enhancing Digital Skills of Vietnam's Disadvantaged Youth
	Vietnam Regards Development of Science, Technology, and Digital Transformation as Top Priority

Modern technology on plantations

On an afternoon during dry season in Dac Mang village, Da Rsal commune, Nguyen Thanh Tung monitored his garden through a network of cameras installed across his family's durian orchards and hills. To ensure proper irrigation, maintain the growth cycle, and counteract the intense heat, he activated the drip irrigation system via his smartphone. Instantly, hundreds of durian trees received water. Despite the convenience of automation, he still regularly visits the garden to fine-tune irrigation schedules. Notably, his family's 22-hectare durian plantation is fully equipped with a smart irrigation system, effectively replacing the labor of 15 workers.

Across Da Rsal, 300 farming households have applied smart automatic irrigation technology. (Photo courtesy of the Da Rsal Commune People's Committee)

According to the Chairman of Da Rsal Commune, Do Hoang Nhan, 300 farming households in the commune currently use smart technology for automatic irrigation (remotely controlled). Notably, 400 hectares of durian and 60 hectares of mulberry have been "mechanized" in terms of irrigation.

Beyond leveraging technology for crop care, Da Rsal Commune has embraced e-commerce to market its OCOP-certified durian, available at https://postmart.vn/c/san-pham-ocop. Numerous local businesses are utilizing digital platforms such as Zalo and Facebook to trade key products. An estimated 11% of the commune's key products are now sold through e-commerce channels.

Smart applications reach every household

For 70-year-old farmer Vu Trong Tuyen (Phi Co village, Da Rsal commune, Dam Rong district), nowadays life is much more convenient and time-saving. With the help of information technology, he can promptly grasp new science and technology in production, and update the daily price of agricultural products. All local announcements and documents are sent via Zalo group, allowing Tuyen and everyone else to easily exchange opinions in village and commune meetings.

“It was a bit awkward at first, but once we got used to it, it is extremely convenient. With just a smartphone, we can grasp all the information and conveniently access many services,” said Tuyen.

As of now, free Wi-Fi is available at all community hubs in Da Rsal Commune. (Photo courtesy of the Da Rsal Commune People's Committee)

Do Hoang Nhan, Chairman of the People's Committee of Da Rsal commune, said: "We set up a digital community group in each village. Da Rsal has 7 villages, so we have 7 groups, each consisting of 7 people, to support the people. The first step to implement smart villages in Phi Co was to promote propaganda and raise awareness. Group members went to each house to provide guidance. Initially, we faced considerable difficulty because many people, especially the elderly, were hesitant to try new things, especially those related to technology. However, as they understood the changes and the convenience of digital technology integration, they quickly adapted. Each person was instructed to use various applications and online accounts to pay bills, allowances, towards cashless payments."

“Since my family runs a business, handling paperwork—especially land-related matters—often requires multiple visits to the People's Committee. However, with VNeID and online applications, I can now complete everything in just a few steps, significantly reducing the time and effort involved,” said Hong Hoanh, a resident of Phi Co village.

Nguyen Ngoc Vuong, Head of Phi Co Village, Deputy Head of the Community Digital Technology Group, stated that most village invitations and meeting notices are now shared via the Zalo group. The village People's Committee no longer needs to distribute invitations or visit households to announce meetings and their agenda, as was previously required.

“Sweet fruit” from digital transformation

According to the 2023 report on the assessment of criteria for building advanced new rural areas in Da Rsal Commune, Dam Rong District, Lam Dong Province, all community locations now have free Wi-Fi access. These include the Commune People's Committee, the cultural house, health station, schools, markets, pagodas, and chapels.

Instructing people to access VNeID application. (Photo courtesy of the Da Rsal Commune People's Committee)

The Commune People's Committee continues to enhance the application of information technology in administrative processes, receiving and handling administrative procedures online through the national public service portal, processing on the VNPT-ioffice document management system, maintaining the use of the official mail system (@lamdong.gov.vn), using digital signatures, ensuring synchronous and interconnected connections with national information systems, and providing information and online public services on the electronic information page. In 2023, all 3,501 administrative records were successfully processed through the electronic one-stop system, achieving a 100% completion rate.

Regarding online public services, as of the beginning of the year, 3,449 out of 3,501 administrative records were handled digitally, reflecting a 98.5% adoption rate.

Da Rsal Commune spans over 8,500 hectares, with a population of more than 10,000 people across seven villages, home to 14 ethnic groups living together. In its early days, Da Rsal faced numerous challenges, including underdeveloped infrastructure, a high poverty rate of 16.3%, low education levels, and an average per capita income of just VND 3.4 million per year. However, through digital transformation and the dedicated efforts of local authorities, the commune has seen remarkable progress. By 2023, the average per capita income had risen to VND 61.8 million per year—18 times higher than in 2005. The poverty rate dropped from 16.3% in 2005 to 1.89% in 2024, averaging a decrease of 0.7% per year. In 2023, Da Rsal met the new rural model standards in digital transformation, while political security, social order, and safety continued to be maintained.

Regarding Da Rsal’s digital transformation model, Nguyen Van Quang, Head of the Department of Culture and Information of Dam Rong District, stated that this is a pioneering initiative in a district with many difficulties. The model effectively supports local governance and plays a crucial role in advancing digital social development. Through this transformation, residents can proactively access information and policies from the Party and State. More importantly, they now have access to essential equipment and the knowledge to apply scientific advancements in production, even marketing and selling their products. If expanded and supported by the State from the outset, this model has the potential to deliver significant benefits for both the people and local authorities.

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