Directive No. 08/2005/CT-BBCVT on Promoting the Application of Information Technology in the Postal and Courier Sector

DIRECTIVE
ON PROMOTING THE APPLICATION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN 
THE POST AND EXPRESS DELIVERY SECTOR

In recent years, the application of information technology has become an important tool for the development of all aspects of economic and social life in all countries around the world. To promote the application of information technology in Vietnam, the Party and State have issued many guidelines, policies, and laws such as Directive No. 58-CT/TW of the Politburo (Term VIII) on "accelerating the application and development of information technology to serve the cause of industrialization and modernization of the country", Decision No. 158/2001/QĐ-TTg of the Prime Minister promulgating the "Strategy for Post and Telecommunications Development until 2010 and orientations until 2020", Directive No. 01/2001/CT-TCBĐ of the General Director of the General Post Office on "directions and some key tasks to implement Directive No. 58". These documents clearly reflect the Party and State's policy on the application of information technology, considering it as one of the important factors that create opportunities for leapfrogging.

In the post sector, the Universal Postal Union (UPU) has made many recommendations, among which the application of information technology is considered a lever with significant importance for the success of the reform and modernization process of postal enterprises in member countries.

Implementing the Party's guidelines, state laws, and UPU recommendations, in recent years, along with other businesses in various sectors of the economy, Vietnam Post and express delivery service enterprises have implemented the application of information technology and achieved certain results. However, the application of information technology in the post and express delivery sector is still slow, failing to meet the requirements of development and modernization, the requirements of international economic integration, and is not commensurate with the potential for development of the industry.

To leverage the role and huge potential of information technology, implementing Directive No. 58-CT/TW of the Politburo: "information technology is one of the most important driving forces for development," the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications instructs:

1. Vietnam Post:

a) Develop plans, programs, and projects for post development during the period from 2006 to 2010, following the principle of intensifying the application of information technology in management, operation, and exploitation of post services; consider the application and development of information technology as an important and urgent task and the main means for rapid, modern, and innovative post development.

b) Complete the plan for the development of the post industry from 2006 to 2010, taking into account the period from 2010 to 2020 (the period when Vietnam basically becomes an industrialized country), with particular emphasis on developing specialized post information technology industry to meet the requirements of network and service development.

c) Concentrate resources and seek other sources of support to prioritize investment in building infrastructure networks, application software, and unified, synchronized database systems according to open principles, ensuring necessary conditions for the exchange and shared use of databases across the network, meeting production and business needs, and the ability to upgrade and develop all services (post services and other services provided by Vietnam Post) at all levels (to be completed by the end of 2006).

d) Expand the scope of the computer network to cover all post offices with appropriate and unified technology to provide a wide range of new services based on the application of information technology, contributing to the early completion of the goal of bringing the Internet to all communes by 2010.

e) In 2005, complete the postal code system (Postcode) and submit it to the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications for approval to implement the postal code system nationwide; disseminate postal codes to all organizations and individuals with the goal that by 2010, most people will use postal codes when using services; strengthen the use of barcode technology in post operations; accelerate automation in processing and handling mail to improve accuracy and shorten transit time, thereby enhancing service quality.

f) By 2006, complete the construction of electronic websites at all levels:总公司、公司、省邮政局和城市邮政局，并规定定期维护和更新，以便及时、全面、清晰地提供公共邮政网络提供的服务信息，逐步发展服务提供商与使用邮政服务的客户之间的互动和交易能力。

g) Focus on building and implementing plans for the development of information technology human resources, considering this as a critical factor with decisive significance for the widespread application of information technology throughout the network. Utilize effectively while providing reasonable incentives to fully leverage the capabilities of information technology personnel, especially experts; regularly organize training and retraining programs on information technology knowledge for postal business staff in line with actual job requirements and to meet future development and innovation needs in the postal sector. Adequately invest in research, testing, and applying information technology to practical production and business activities.

h) Organize evaluations of the effectiveness and impact of information technology applications at each stage on the implementation of established plans, programs, and projects.

2. Express Delivery Service Enterprises:

a) Develop plans to strengthen investment in equipment and application programs for information technology in operational and management activities, aiming to improve service quality, increase service value, diversify services, and reduce costs for the enterprise.

b) Establish and update complete information about services for customers through the enterprise's electronic website (website).

c) Apply national and international standards related to the application of information technology.

3. Agencies and units under the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications and Provincial Posts and Telecommunications Departments shall be responsible for supporting and creating a favorable environment to help Vietnam Post and enterprises operating postal service delivery businesses accelerate and improve the effectiveness of information technology applications:

- The Postal Department shall propose policies and measures to encourage Vietnam Post and enterprises operating postal service delivery businesses to apply information technology to innovate postal operation and business processes, expand the provision of new services.

- The Cadre and Civil Servant Organization Department shall propose policies and measures to promote training and development activities for information technology human resources working in the postal and delivery service sector.

- The Planning and Finance Department shall propose mechanisms to support Vietnam Post and enterprises operating postal service delivery businesses in developing programs, projects, and initiatives on information technology applications aimed at improving service quality, developing new services with information technology applications, effectively utilizing public postal networks and delivery networks.

- The International Cooperation Department shall propose measures to enhance international cooperation in the application of information technology in the postal and delivery service sector (organizing international conferences on information technology applications, strengthening international training cooperation in information technology involving international experts, seeking international support for information technology application activities and other related cooperative activities).

- The Science and Technology Department shall organize the establishment of standards applicable in the postal and delivery service sector to support the process of information technology application by Vietnam Post and enterprises operating postal service delivery businesses.

- The Information Technology Application Agency shall organize activities to promote the application of information technology in Vietnam Post and enterprises operating postal service delivery businesses through providing information, materials, training, capacity building, consulting, technology transfer, and other supportive activities.

- The Institute of Postal and Telecommunications Strategy and Information Technology shall study and propose appropriate contents regarding information technology applications in the planning and development of Vietnam Post for various stages.

- Provincial Posts and Telecommunications Departments, based on their functions and responsibilities, shall actively support Vietnam Post and enterprises operating postal service delivery businesses within their jurisdiction in implementing information technology applications and report results as required by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications.

- Heads of agencies and units under the Ministry, Provincial Posts and Telecommunications Departments, Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Corporation, and enterprises operating postal service delivery businesses shall be responsible for organizing and implementing this Directive. These enterprises shall be responsible for reporting annually to the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications on the implementation results of the Directive. In case of any difficulties arising during the implementation process, they shall report to the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications for consideration and resolution.