For the digital economy to develop synchronously and sustainably.
In Nghe An, digital services are spreading rapidly from government agencies to individual businesses, bringing practical benefits. However, for digital services to truly become a driving force for development, it is still necessary to remove barriers related to infrastructure, skills, and people's habits.
The effectiveness is clearly demonstrated in practice.
Previously, Ms. Cao Thi Hoa, a fruit vendor in Dong Hieu ward, primarily conducted transactions using cash. In 2025, with the support of the bank in opening an account, installing a payment application, and printing QR codes, her business operations underwent a significant transformation. Customers can now pay quickly with just one scan of the code, eliminating the need to carry cash.
"Now, I no longer worry about running out of change or making mistakes when giving change to customers. All transactions are clear and convenient. As a result, business is much smoother than before," Ms. Hoa shared.
Ms. Hoa's story is a vivid example of the spread of digital transformation to small-scale businesses – those who previously had limited access to modern financial services. Not only in urban areas, but also in many mountainous communes of Nghe An province, digital transformation is taking place vigorously. Agribank's Tay Nghe An branch has implemented numerous solutions to bring digital financial services closer to people in remote areas. Digital payments are becoming increasingly common, allowing people to conduct many transactions such as money transfers, bill payments, savings deposits, and tax payments online directly from their phones. This significantly saves time and travel costs, especially for people in areas far from urban centers.
According to Mr. Hoang Thach, a specialist at Agribank Tay Nghe An, one of the breakthroughs is the implementation of electronic identity verification (eKYC), integrated with VNeID and biometric authentication. Thanks to this, people can open bank accounts quickly and safely without the need for as many procedures and documents as before. Notably, the mobile digital banking model using specialized vehicles has proven remarkably effective. These vehicles carry all the necessary equipment and go directly to remote villages to assist people in opening accounts, installing applications, and providing guidance on using digital services.
According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Thu, Director of the State Bank of Vietnam's Regional Branch 8, currently, 100% of applications are processed on time, and results are updated promptly on the electronic one-stop system. Full-process online public services help citizens and businesses complete procedures quickly, significantly reducing time and costs.
Digital transformation in Nghe An is being implemented synchronously across many sectors, from public administration to taxation and telecommunications, not just in the banking sector. From a state management perspective, the digitization of data and standardization of business processes have yielded clear results.
In the field of taxation, digital transformation has created significant progress. To date, more than 67,000 business households in Nghe An have implemented electronic tax declaration and payment. The entire process, from registration and declaration to tax payment, is conducted online. Notably, from mid-2025, business households with annual revenue of 1 billion VND or more will be required to use electronic invoices, especially those generated from cash registers. This regulation not only enhances transparency but also contributes to reducing budget losses and creating a fair business environment.
Mr. Nguyen Bang Thang, Head of the Nghe An Provincial Tax Department, said that the tax authorities have implemented many direct support campaigns, sending officials to the grassroots level to guide people in installing applications, declaring and using electronic invoices, especially during the implementation of new policies. In addition, telecommunications companies such as VNPT Nghe An also play an important role in developing digital infrastructure. The extension of fiber optic, 3G, and 4G coverage to villages and hamlets has helped people easily access the internet and online services.
From education and healthcare to administrative and business transactions, an increasing number of activities are being conducted in the digital environment, contributing to changing the way society operates.
Challenges
Despite achieving many positive results, the development of the digital economy in Nghe An still faces numerous difficulties and challenges. First and foremost is the disparity in infrastructure and digital skills between regions. In some mountainous areas, the quality of internet connectivity is unstable, affecting the use of online services.
Moreover, many people, especially small business owners, still struggle with using technology. Filing tax returns, using software, or scanning documents requires certain skills that not everyone possesses. Ms. Nguyen Thi Van, a business owner in Than Linh commune, said: “Even though I have received training, I still spend a lot of time completing my tax return. There are some computer operations that I am unfamiliar with, so I have to ask others for help.”
The habit of using cash is also a major barrier. In many rural areas, people are still accustomed to face-to-face transactions and are not yet ready to switch to electronic payments. Some people are also concerned about information security, fearing fraud or losing money when transacting online.
For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), digital transformation remains a challenging task. Many businesses lack capital, human resources, and a clear strategy. Meanwhile, the cost of investing in technology and training remains high.
In the logistics sector, the infrastructure is not yet synchronized, lacking large-scale logistics centers, resulting in high transportation costs and impacting business efficiency. Nghe An is shifting from "basic logistics services" to a "logistics ecosystem serving the supply chain," but it lacks the vision, infrastructure, output, and capacity to create a clear competitive advantage.
Another notable challenge is information security. As transactions increasingly take place in digital environments, the risk of fraud, data theft, and scams also increases. This requires service providers to continuously upgrade their security systems and raise user awareness.
For digital transformation to be truly effective, comprehensive and long-term solutions are needed. First and foremost, continued investment in and upgrading of digital infrastructure is essential, especially in remote and rural areas. Ensuring stable internet connectivity is a prerequisite for people to access and use digital services.
Furthermore, digital skills training and awareness campaigns need to be intensified. Training courses should be organized regularly, with simple, easy-to-understand content tailored to each target group. Applications and software should also be designed to be more user-friendly and easier to use, with reduced paperwork and procedures. In particular, hands-on guidance is needed for the elderly or those with limited exposure to technology.
At the same time, it is necessary to strengthen solutions to ensure information security, helping people feel safe when participating in the digital environment. Raising awareness about preventing fraud and protecting personal data also needs to be emphasized.
It is evident that the digital economy and digital services are opening up many development opportunities for the country in general and for Nghe An in particular, from improving the efficiency of state management to promoting socio-economic development. However, for this process to take place evenly and sustainably, it requires the joint efforts of the entire political system, businesses, and the people.
