Decision No. 357/QD-BTTTT Approves the Master Plan for the Development of Information Technology and Telecommunications in the Mekong Delta Economic Zone until 2020

Pursuant to …;

Approving the Master Plan for Information Technology and Telecommunications Development

in the Southern Key Economic Region to 2020

____________________________

MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS

Pursuant to the Law on Information Technology dated June 29, 2006;

Pursuant to the Law on Telecommunications dated November 23, 2009;

BASED ON THE GOVERNMENT DECREE NO. 187/2007/NĐ-CP OF DECEMBER 25, 2007 ON THE FUNCTIONS, TASKS, POWERS, AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS;

Pursuant to Decree No. 92/2006/NĐ-CP dated September 7, 2006 of the Government on the preparation, approval, and management of overall socio-economic development master plans, and Decree No. 04/2008/NĐ-CP dated January 11, 2008 amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 92/2006/NĐ-CP on the preparation, approval, and management of overall socio-economic development master plans;

Pursuant to Decision No. 492/QĐ-TTg dated April 16, 2009 of the Prime Minister on the establishment of the Southern Key Economic Zone in the Mekong Delta region;

At the proposal of the Director of the Institute of Information and Communications Strategy,

DECISION:

Article 1. Approves the "Master Plan for Information Technology and Telecommunications Development in the Southern Key Economic Zone in the Mekong Delta Region to 2020" with the main contents as follows:

I. VIEWS, OBJECTIVES AND DEVELOPMENT DIRECTIONS

1. Development Orientation

- Developing information technology and telecommunications ahead of other sectors to serve as a nucleus for dissemination and a driving force for industrialization and modernization, contributing to transforming the Southern Key Economic Zone in the Mekong Delta into a major economic and commercial center of the country.

- Developing telecommunications comprehensively in terms of networks, technology, and services, ensuring network security, inter-regional and national connectivity, creating a driving force for economic and social development throughout the region, improving the quality of life for the people, and providing timely support for security and defense work under all circumstances.

- Widely applying information technology (IT) in all fields, prioritizing the application of IT in the operations of state agencies, gradually building "electronic cities" and "electronic provinces."

- Vigorously developing the IT industry, focusing on developing IT services, producing digital content and software, making significant contributions to enhancing national technological capacity.

- Developing IT human resources is a critical factor that decisively influences the development and application of IT. The development of IT human resources must ensure quality, synchronization, and rapid structural transformation towards increasing the proportion of high-skilled personnel.

2. Development Objectives

2.1. Telecommunications Development

- Building a modern broadband telecommunications infrastructure with large bandwidth and high reliability. Developing Can Tho into a high-quality telecommunications service center for the Mekong Delta region and the entire country.

- By 2015, completing broadband networks to all communes and wards, and extending mobile broadband coverage to 85% of the population. At least 20% of households will have computers capable of accessing broadband Internet. Almost all households will have telephones (fixed or mobile).

- By 2020, completing broadband networks to most hamlets and villages, and extending mobile broadband coverage to 95% of the population. At least 50% of households will have computers capable of accessing broadband Internet. All households will have telephones (fixed or mobile).

2.2. IT Application Development

a) By 2015

+ IT Application within State Agencies

- At least 60% of formal documents exchanged between state agencies will be fully electronic, except for confidential documents; Over 90% of personnel files at all levels can be managed centrally over the network and integrated into the national personnel database.

- 100% of meetings between provincial People's Committees and the central government can be conducted online; At least 60% of meetings between provincial People's Committees and districts, towns, and between provincial-level agencies and districts, towns can be conducted online.

- Most civil servants and public officials will regularly use email systems in their work.

+ IT Application for Citizens and Businesses

- Over 85% of district-level and higher state agencies will have electronic portals or websites providing comprehensive information according to Article 28 of the Law on Information Technology, offering all level 2 e-government services and most basic e-government services.

- Over 40% of tax declaration forms from citizens and businesses will be submitted online; Customs offices in provinces and cities will implement electronic customs procedures; Over 20% of procurement tenders for goods, construction, and consulting services funded by the state budget will be conducted online; At least 20% of construction permit applications will be submitted online.

- Over 30% of citizens aged 14 and above will be issued ID cards produced on modern production lines with unique non-duplicate IDs resistant to counterfeiting.

- Strengthening the application of IT in cultural, information, and library activities. Promoting the application of IT in tourism promotion, publicity, and the preservation and development of traditional culture.

+ IT Application in Education and Training

- Equipping schools with computers, computer networks, and broadband Internet connections. By 2015, 100% of secondary schools, continuing education centers, junior high schools, and 50% of primary schools will be equipped with computer rooms meeting teaching and learning needs.

- Ensuring sufficient IT teachers in regular school curricula. By 2015, 100% of secondary school students, continuing education center students, and junior high school students, and 50% of primary school students will study IT in regular school curricula.

- Promoting the application of IT in teaching and learning; Establishing an information system to support educational management.

+ IT Application in Healthcare

- 100% of provincial-level healthcare facilities, and at least 50% of district-level healthcare facilities will have LAN networks and equipment for IT application. 100% of healthcare facilities from the district level upwards will be connected to high-speed Internet; Over 85% of commune health stations will have computers and be connected to high-speed Internet.

- 100% Provincial Health Departments and provincial healthcare facilities, and over 50% of district-level healthcare facilities shall apply information technology to support professional activities, business operations, and management. Gradually build an electronic healthcare system and a disease surveillance and warning system within the region.

+ Apply information technology to develop production and business

- Form and promote the development of a favorable and reliable e-commerce environment. Over 50% of large enterprises regularly conduct e-commerce transactions. 70% of small and medium-sized enterprises are aware of the benefits of e-commerce and have certain applications.

+ Apply information technology to serve the development of agriculture, rural areas

- Over 45% of communes shall have postal and cultural centers and Internet access points meeting standards under the National Target Program on New Rural Development from 2011 to 2020.

- Develop agricultural extension websites, fishery promotion websites, forest monitoring sites, and crop pest prediction monitoring sites. Establish a network for collecting and providing market price information for agricultural products throughout the region, and develop databases to serve agricultural, fishery, and forestry production and business.

- Promote the development of a favorable and reliable e-commerce environment; guide and encourage farmers to use e-commerce.

b) By 2020

- Form a social infrastructure for information by 2020, integrate information systems, create a widespread network environment connected with other provinces in the Mekong Delta and the Southern Key Economic Region. Over 70% of communes shall have postal and cultural centers and Internet access points meeting standards under the National Target Program on New Rural Development from 2011 to 2020.

- Ensure information security for all activities applying and developing information technology. Almost all government agencies' transactions shall be conducted electronically. Almost all public services shall be provided online at levels 3 and 4.

- Vigorously apply information technology to serve the development of agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and other sectors with special strengths in the Southern Key Economic Region of the Mekong Delta.

- Strengthen computer education and learning in general schools. 100% of primary schools shall be equipped with computer rooms to meet teaching and learning needs. 100% of primary school students shall study computer science in the main curriculum.

- 100% of healthcare facilities shall have sufficient IT equipment and high-speed Internet connections to support the application of information technology. 100% of healthcare facilities from the district level upwards shall apply information technology to support professional activities, business operations, and management. 100% of health stations shall use software to support statistical work and initial health care. Complete the electronic healthcare system and the disease surveillance and warning system.

2.3. Develop the Information Technology Industry

a) By 2015

- Build Can Tho City into the center of the information technology industry in the Mekong Delta. Vigorously develop information technology services in all provinces and cities in the region. Focus on developing the software industry and digital content in Can Tho City to take advantage of its human resources and central location in the Mekong Delta. Develop hardware and electronics industries, mainly through assembly through investment attraction in industrial zones in the region.

- The growth rate of the information technology industry in the Southern Key Economic Region of the Mekong Delta shall reach 30% per year during the period from 2011 to 2015.

b) By 2020

- Make the information technology industry a high-growth sector contributing significantly to the region's GDP growth, thereby accelerating the process of industrialization and modernization of the Southern Key Economic Region and the Mekong Delta provinces.

- Continue to leverage the leading role of Can Tho City, the center of the information technology industry in the Mekong Delta, especially in the development of information technology services, the software industry, and digital content.

2.4. Develop Human Resources for Information Technology

a) By 2015

- 100% of officials, civil servants, employees, teachers at all levels, and staff in the healthcare sector shall proficiently use computers and information technology applications in their work.

- Form specialized information technology staff teams (responsible for information technology) at provincial and district-level state agencies, provincial and district-level healthcare facilities, schools, and enterprises.

- State agencies, large and medium-sized enterprises shall have chief information officers (CIOs). Provinces and cities shall have information technology specialist teams capable of managing and operating local information systems.

- Ensure adequate human resources to serve the development of telecommunications, the information technology industry, and the application of information technology.

b) By 2020

- Most officials, civil servants, employees, teachers at all levels, and staff in the healthcare sector shall be trained, updated, and refreshed with information technology knowledge.

- Most communes in the region and most commune-level health stations shall have an average of one information technology specialist (responsible for information technology) per unit. Information technology specialists (responsible for information technology) at state agencies, schools, and healthcare facilities shall be trained, updated, and refreshed with information technology and information technology management knowledge.

- 100% of chief information officers at state agencies and enterprises shall be trained and updated with information technology knowledge and information technology management skills.

- Strengthen the training of high-quality information technology personnel to meet the needs of telecommunications, the information technology industry, and the application of information technology.

3. Orientation for Development

3.1. Develop Telecommunications

a) Public Telecommunication Network

- Develop modern telecommunication networks to meet the development needs of the entire region. Increase transmission capacity, gradually implement optical fiberization, form ring-structured optical fiber networks to ensure information security. Quickly deploy optical access networks in new urban areas, concentrated industrial zones, and high-tech parks. Improve peripheral networks towards increased use of optical fibers and higher underground cable ratios to enhance service quality and urban aesthetics.

- 扩展第三代（3G）移动通信网络的覆盖范围，并发展后续代际网络。提高城市、城镇、区中心、工业区、城区、居民区和旅游景点的覆盖质量。重点发展宽带互联网服务。促进互联网接入所有社区和村庄。特别注意为初中和小学提供互联网服务。

- 积极建设 Phú Quốc 岛的电信基础设施，逐步将 Phú Quốc 建设成为海洋和岛屿城市、高端旅游和服务中心以及国家和东南亚的科学和技术中心。重点在 Bảy Núi 旅游区（安江）和 Hà Tiên（坚江）建设电信基础设施。

- 在沿海和偏远地区实施卫星和无线电通信方法。研究建设服务于渔业、交通和国家安全与国防的海上和沿海无线电通信网络。发展和现代化沿海信息系统。

b) 发展服务和市场

- 为企业的投资和经营电信服务创造条件，确保具有网络基础设施的企业和没有此类基础设施的企业之间的平等和公平竞争。

- 优先发展宽带服务和基于3G网络的信息内容服务。便利传输和广播服务、频道租赁服务的发展。优先发展符合广播、电视、信息技术和电信技术融合趋势的新服务。

3.2. 发展信息和通信技术应用

a) 信息和通信技术在国家机关活动中的应用

- 发展党、政府机关的专用数据传输网，连接到乡级。升级、扩展和完善视频会议系统。

- 建立省级和市级数据中心。升级和完善用于指令和操作的网络管理系统，电子会议系统，协调相关中央机构整合信息系统和数据库，并在国家机关中实施电子认证和数字签名系统。

- 升级并部署同步电子邮件系统，在各级国家机关中确保大多数官员都有电子邮件账户，并且经常使用电子邮件系统进行工作。

- 继续建立和改进省级和市级在线信息门户。提供全面的信息，包括《信息技术法》第28条规定的、规范性法律文件、行政程序、在线公共服务和文件查询服务，供公民和企业使用。根据总理2010年8月27日第1605/QĐ-TTg号决定批准的2011-2015年期间国家机关活动中信息技术应用国家计划的规定，提供所有二级在线公共服务和大部分三级基本在线公共服务。增强网上接收公民意见渠道的有效性，组织关于国家机关活动的在线对话和问答会。

b) 信息和通信技术在教育和培训中的应用

- 继续投资并加强学校设施建设和宽带互联网连接。

- 积极在学校课程中教授计算机科学，特别是初中和高中，以向学生提供基本的信息和通信技术知识和技能，并为他们参与社会计算机普及创造机会。

- 提高信息和通信技术在教学工作中的应用质量。有效利用从学校到教育局和教育厅的教育管理软件。逐步建立教育信息管理系统。

c) 信息和通信技术在医疗卫生中的应用

- 加强医疗卫生机构的信息和通信技术设备配备和高速互联网连接，以推动医疗卫生机构和卫生行业管理中的信息技术应用。将 Cần Thơ 中央医院和 Cần Thơ 医学院建设成为信息技术应用典范。

- 建立 Cần Thơ 中央医院和 Cần Thơ 医学院与全国顶尖医院和省内多科综合医院之间的电子医疗系统。建立全区域疾病监测预警系统。

d) 信息和通信技术在生产和发展中的应用

- 积极在企业的所有方面活动中应用信息技术，如：战略规划、生产销售计划制定、经营管理、品牌推广、资源开发、环境保护等。

- 加强电子商务（EC）宣传推广，提高对EC利益和应用方式的认识。确保有利于EC发展的条件，并鼓励网上交易形式。

e) 信息和通信技术在农业和农村发展中应用

- 逐步将信息技术应用于为农业、农村、偏远和困难地区提供科学技术信息的服务。积极使用地理信息系统（GIS）服务于农林规划、森林管理、地质资料存储、地图测量、地政管理和基础设施管理。

- 建立服务于农业生产销售和林业的数据库。发展农业推广、渔业推广、森林监控和作物病虫害预测预报的网站。

- 加强指导和鼓励农民使用电子商务和贸易。各省市推进建立农产品市场价格信息收集和发布网络。继续实施计算机普及和农村青年知识联网计划。

3.3. 发展信息和通信技术产业

a) 发展信息服务

- Promote collaboration with IT enterprises in Ho Chi Minh City and provinces within the Southern Key Economic Zone to vigorously develop IT services. Continue to develop Can Tho City into a service center for IT in the Mekong Delta region.

- Expand the network of IT services in cities, towns, economic zones, and urban areas. Focus on developing IT services in Phu Quoc Island to serve the goal of gradually building Phu Quoc into a coastal city-island, a high-end tourism and service center, and a national and Southeast Asian scientific and technological center according to Decision No. 633/QD-TTg dated May 11, 2010 of the Prime Minister.

b) Develop the software industry and digital content

- Develop the software industry towards intensifying software outsourcing exports and serving domestic IT application needs, particularly in the Mekong Delta region. Invest heavily in developing digital content production to serve agricultural, industrial, service sectors, as well as cultural, social, and healthy entertainment fields.

- Concentrate on developing Can Tho City into a strong center for software production and digital content in Vietnam. Accelerate the construction progress of the centralized IT technology zone and the IT business incubator in Can Tho; actively attract both domestic and foreign large enterprises to invest in this area to create momentum for the development of the IT industry, especially software production and digital content.

c) Develop the hardware and electronics industry

- Vigorously attract investment to build assembly plants for hardware and electronic equipment in industrial zones within the region, particularly in industrial zones in Can Tho City to leverage the human resource advantage of the Mekong Delta region.

- Consider attracting foreign investment as the main measure to develop the hardware and electronics industry in the Mekong Delta region.

- Main products of the computer hardware and electronics industry in the region include: personal computers, household electronics, telecommunications electronics, office electronics.

3.4. Develop IT Human Resources

a) Human resources for applying IT in state agencies

- During the period from 2011 to 2015, focus on training IT and using IT applications for civil servants. Strengthen training to gradually form a specialized IT staff (IT responsible personnel) at agencies within the political system.

- Form a leadership information and IT expert team to meet the organizational, management, application, and development needs of IT. Organize study tours and experience exchanges in the field of IT domestically or in countries with advanced IT for information leaders.

- Enhance the attraction of young, capable personnel to train and nurture to build an IT expert team capable of managing, operating, and ensuring the safety of the entire information system of provinces and cities.

- During the period from 2016 to 2020, focus on organizing training and updating knowledge about IT for most civil servants. Train and update knowledge about IT and IT management for the specialized IT staff (IT responsible personnel). Organize training and updating of IT knowledge and management skills for information leaders.

b) Human resources for applying IT in education

- During the period from 2011 to 2015, train basic computer and Internet usage skills for most kindergarten teachers; train and enhance advanced skills in creating and using electronic lesson plans for primary and secondary school teachers. Strengthen training in IT knowledge and IT management for some computer teachers in schools to gradually form an IT responsible personnel team in schools.

- During the period from 2016 to 2020, continue to strengthen training and updating of IT knowledge and skills in creating and using electronic lesson plans for teachers. Improve the quality of computer teachers in general schools. Train and update IT knowledge and IT management skills for school IT responsible personnel.

c) Human resources for applying IT in healthcare

- During the period from 2011 to 2015, intensify training in computer and Internet usage skills for health sector staff (mainly nurses and midwives). Increase specialized staff (IT responsible personnel) for provincial and district health departments.

- During the period from 2016 to 2020, organize training and updating of IT knowledge and IT application skills for health sector staff in provinces and cities. Continue to strengthen the capacity of specialized staff (IT responsible personnel) in healthcare facilities and increase IT responsible personnel in commune-level healthcare facilities.

d) Human resources for applying IT in enterprises

- Enterprises should proactively organize training in computer and Internet usage skills for their employees to promote IT application.

- Enterprises should strengthen investment to gradually form a specialized IT staff (IT responsible personnel) and intensify training and nurturing of IT application for enterprise information leaders.

e) Training IT human resources

- Accelerate the development of IT, electronics, and telecommunications training at universities, colleges, vocational schools, and technical training centers in the region, particularly in Can Tho City. Focus on developing Can Tho City into a training center for IT, electronics, and telecommunications for the Mekong Delta region. Actively develop IT training centers in localities to serve the popularization of IT knowledge in society.

- The work of training and updating IT knowledge for the current workforce in enterprises needs to be implemented regularly and continuously to ensure that enterprise staff can promptly grasp rapid technological changes. Ensure that all general schools teach computer science courses according to regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training.

II. MAJOR SOLUTIONS

1. On mechanisms and policies

a) Mechanisms and policies for developing telecommunications

When conducting reviews and developing comprehensive plans for economic and social development, localities must clearly define the portion related to the development of telecommunications networks. Issue inter-ministerial regulations on cooperation in planning and implementing synchronized infrastructure construction.

Telecommunications infrastructure must be jointly used by telecommunications enterprises and private network operators in a thrifty and effective manner. When approving plans for network development and investment projects of enterprises, Provincial Departments of Information and Communications shall publicize such plans for other enterprises to encourage them to proactively develop shared infrastructure usage plans; at the same time, they shall direct and coordinate enterprises to cooperate in joint investment and shared use of telecommunications infrastructure according to the plan.

Develop and perfect regulations to ensure information security on telecommunications and Internet networks. Provincial Departments of Information and Communications shall instruct and urge units implementing IT application projects to have measures to ensure information security and organize specialized or part-time computer emergency response teams based on specific needs and conditions of the locality.

b) Mechanisms and policies for developing the information technology industry

Develop policies to foster the information technology market, creating favorable conditions for enterprises to invest in developing the IT industry, particularly software and digital content industries. Implement positive policies to encourage IT applications, thereby stimulating demand for the IT market in the Mekong Delta region.

c) Mechanisms and policies for developing IT applications

Develop policies to encourage all economic sectors to invest in developing IT applications, especially e-commerce and e-government; policies to promote the widespread adoption of successful IT models.

Provinces and cities shall establish regulations on information security and implement training programs to enhance awareness and knowledge about information security for all network users, ensuring that network management and information management staff are trained and updated on cybersecurity regulations issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications.

Establish regulations on procedures for exchanging, storing, and processing electronic documents and strengthen information sharing in state agency activities. Develop forms of leasing and contracting in implementing IT applications. Provinces and cities in the region shall establish and issue regulations on state-enterprise cooperation in implementing IT application projects and their implementation.

d) Mechanisms and policies for developing IT human resources

Provinces and cities shall develop incentive policies to attract high-quality labor for telecommunications and IT development. Establish mechanisms to attract and retain high-level IT experts, preferential income policies for IT personnel working in state agencies, and preferential policies for dedicated IT staff (IT responsible persons) and IT teachers in difficult areas. Improve the structure of dedicated IT staff at the district level to meet the requirements of promoting IT applications in the new phase. Provinces and cities shall allocate additional non-dedicated IT positions at the commune level for those responsible for IT applications at the commune level and provide appropriate incentives.

2. Developing science and technology

Establish mechanisms for collaboration between universities, research units, and enterprises in implementing research projects in the fields of telecommunications and information technology, providing support for enterprises to research and develop new products. Encourage all forms of scientific and technological cooperation with foreign organizations and companies in transferring technology and advanced management experience in the fields of telecommunications and information technology.

3. Mobilizing capital

Strengthen the attraction of investment from all economic sectors for the development of telecommunications and IT in the Mekong Delta Economic Zone. Mobilize and utilize domestic capital efficiently, considering it the main source of investment for telecommunications development. Official Development Assistance (ODA) funds shall be used to support telecommunications development in rural, mountainous, remote, and border areas, and to support the development of public services such as Internet for healthcare and education. Utilize the telecommunications public service fund effectively. Develop and implement a promotional program to call on leading global IT companies to invest in developing the IT industry in the Mekong Delta Economic Zone. Implement policies to encourage capital mobilization for IT application development in the region. The central budget shall support funding for the implementation of technical infrastructure construction programs, platform information systems, and specialized information systems in provinces and cities within the region. Local budgets and other legitimate sources of funding shall ensure the implementation of IT application projects serving local activities. Prioritize the use of state budget funds for IT training and capacity building for officials, civil servants, health workers, educators, and IT teaching for secondary school students.

Article 2. Implementation

a) The Ministry of Information and Communications shall take the lead, in coordination with relevant ministries, sectors, and provincial People's Committees in the region, to develop implementation plans and organize inspections of the execution of plans, regularly compile results to report to the Prime Minister; coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to develop policies to promote the development of telecommunications infrastructure, the IT industry, IT human resources, and the promotion of IT applications in the Mekong Delta Economic Zone.

b) The Departments of Information and Communications in the Southern Key Economic Region of the Mekong Delta shall develop (or adjust, supplement) the information technology and communication development master plan for their respective provinces and cities in accordance with this planning orientation, submit it to the competent authority for approval; coordinate with relevant agencies to develop, submit to the competent authorities for approval, and implement key projects for the development of information technology and communication using state budget funds in their localities.

c) Enterprises operating in the field of information technology and communication shall base themselves on this planning to formulate business strategies and plans that align with the direction of information technology and communication development in the Southern Key Economic Region of the Mekong Delta and are consistent with the implementation progress of the planning at the local level and other sectors.

Article 3. This Decision shall take effect from the date of signing.

Article 4. The Head of the Office, the Director of the Institute of Information and Communication Strategy, the Heads of Ministries' agencies and units, and related organizations are responsible for implementing this Decision./.