All administrative procedures for foreigners in Vietnam to be conducted online: PM

In his concluding remarks while chairing the 10th nationwide online session of the National Committee for Digital Transformation in Hanoi, Chinh, who also serves as the head of the committee, called for streamlining administrative procedures and reducing processing times, and implementing online application methods for visa issuance.

He urged the online issuance of identity cards for overseas Vietnamese and birth certificates for Vietnamese children born abroad.

The PM pointed out that Vietnam has so far simplified 898 out of 1,084 administrative procedures nationwide, with all 63 provinces and cities issuing resolutions to waive or reduce fees for citizens and businesses.

Leading global tech giants, such as Marvell, NVIDIA, and SK Hynix, are investing and expanding their presence in the country. Meanwhile, e-commerce continues to thrive, digital infrastructure is being strengthened, and the national population database and online public services are increasingly improved.

Chinh requested that digital transformation go hand in hand with administrative reforms, be in line with current trends, and meet public demands. He underscored science, technology, and innovation as strategic choices and top priorities for Vietnam’s rapid and sustainable development in the digital era.

People and businesses should remain at the center of all efforts, he added.

At the event, it was noted that in the past year, Vietnam's digital government initiatives expanded significantly. The nationwide rate of full-process online administrative records reached 45%, a 2.5-fold increase compared to 2023.

Vietnam climbed 15 places to rank 71st out of 193 countries in the United Nations' e-government development index. The country’s digital economy accounted for an estimated 18.3% of GDP, with a growth rate exceeding 20% per year, three times faster than GDP growth – the fastest rate in Southeast Asia.