National Data Association actively contributes to the national digital transformation process

On March 22, in Hanoi, the 1st National Congress of the National Data Association opened. This event is of great significance, marking the step of organizational consolidation, orienting activities in the next 5 years, and affirming the Association's pioneering role in implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation.

General Secretary To Lam attended and gave a speech.

Attending the Congress were Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh; Politburo members, Party Central Committee Secretaries: Nguyen Duy Ngoc, Chairman of the Central Inspection Committee; Phan Dinh Trac, Head of the Central Internal Affairs Committee; General Luong Tam Quang, Politburo member, Minister of Public Security; Nguyen Thi Thanh, Party Central Committee member, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly; Party Central Committee members, representatives of leaders of central and local ministries, departments and branches; 200 official delegates, representing nearly 400 members who are organizations and individuals participating in the Association.

Data - the "blood" of the digital economy

Speaking at the congress, General Secretary To Lam affirmed: We are entering the dawn of the digital age, a period when data has become an important resource and means of production, a new energy, even the "blood" of the digital economy. Digital transformation, with data at the center, is fundamentally changing the way we live, work and develop.

General Secretary To Lam gave a speech directing the Congress.

The General Secretary emphasized: Our Party and State have recognized the importance of data early. Resolution No. 52-NQ/TW dated September 27, 2019 of the Politburo on a number of guidelines and policies to proactively participate in the fourth industrial revolution has proposed the policy of "Proactively participating in regional and global legal frameworks to develop the digital economy. Perfecting laws and policies on data and data governance, facilitating the creation, connection, sharing and exploitation of data to ensure safety and security of domestic networks, moving towards connecting with the ASEAN region and internationally.

Most recently, Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024 of the Politburo clearly identified: data is the center of digital transformation, an important driving force for development. The Resolution also proposed pilot policies, creating an initial legal corridor for promoting data development and exploitation.

We need to be clear: data governance is not just a policy issue, it is also a technology issue. Without technology, we cannot collect, store, process, analyze and share data efficiently and securely.

General Secretary To Lam

General Secretary To Lam pointed out: Data management and exploitation in Vietnam still has many shortcomings: Awareness of the role of data is not complete; data infrastructure is still scattered and lacks connectivity; high-quality human resources in data are still lacking; The legal framework is not complete, especially in areas such as data security, privacy protection and personal data; Data security and safety still have many challenges.

At the same time, we need to be aware that data governance is not only a policy issue, but also a technology issue. Without technology, we cannot collect, store, process, analyze and share data effectively and securely. Vietnam has made many efforts to apply advanced technologies in data governance, especially in the field of e-Government and digital transformation.

Platforms such as the national population database, data sharing mechanisms and online public services have significantly improved data exploitation and management. However, regulations on data protection when applying new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data analysis or blockchain technology are still at the experimental level and lack clear and transparent development orientation and management regulations.

General Secretary To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and delegates attending the Congress.

In that context, the establishment of the National Data Association is of utmost importance. The General Secretary believes that the Association will be a common home for “digital knights”, a “pioneer” in implementing Resolution 57 and resolutions on science and technology, soon turning Vietnam into a digital nation, with a digital governance platform, digital economy, digital society, developing based on “correct, sufficient, clean, and live” data.

To do that, General Secretary To Lam suggested that the Association focus on the following 7 key tasks: First , research, propose, and complete the legal corridor on data, creating conditions for data to circulate, connect, share, and be exploited to the maximum, while still ensuring data security, safety, and sovereignty. The Ministry of Public Security is drafting the Law on Personal Data Protection and the revised Law on Cyber ​​Security (adding the function of state management of network information security) and is expected to submit them to the National Assembly for approval in 2025, and at the same time submit them to the Government to issue decrees guiding the 2024 Data Law, so it is necessary to prioritize all resources for this task.

Second , promote the core role in building, developing, exploiting and enriching national data, focusing on four main pillars: people, locations, activities and items.

Third , proactively and actively apply, master, and move towards autonomy in core data technologies, especially artificial intelligence (AI), big data, blockchain, and cloud computing.

Particularly emphasizing the role of the Association in a number of key programs and initiatives, the General Secretary pointed out: "We must develop the Data Market for Development": Building a National Data Market, deploying a Data Platform to serve research, startup development, innovation, providing data-related products and services to serve socio-economic development.

It is necessary to build a national open AI platform to help businesses easily access AI applications. Quickly popularize Data literacy for all citizens to raise awareness, knowledge and skills about data for the whole society, especially about the value and importance of protecting personal data, as well as compliance with legal regulations.

Organize data-based innovation challenges early. Encourage the community to come up with innovative data-based solutions. Create playgrounds to maximize human potential in the field of science and technology.

General Secretary To Lam and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh took souvenir photos with delegates.

Continue to strengthen the capacity for self-reliance in data technology; prioritize, encourage, and create mechanisms so that "Make in Vietnam" data technology products can compete fairly in domestic and international markets.

Fourth , support the promotion of the construction of advanced data infrastructure, including data centers invested by the State and private enterprises.

Fifth , promote international cooperation, learn from experience, attract resources and participate in global data initiatives.

Sixth , build an effective enforcement and monitoring mechanism. State agencies, with the leading role of the Ministry of Public Security, need to have a tighter and more synchronous monitoring system based on the strong application of digital technology to ensure that legal regulations are fully complied with.

Seventh , build a product protection system, data security, develop data protection services, build a data protection and security standard system, and form a data security industry.

In the digital age, not owning data means losing sovereignty, data security and development opportunities. Digital transformation and data development are historic opportunities for Vietnam to make a breakthrough.

General Secretary To Lam

General Secretary To Lam called on the entire business community, entrepreneurs, scientists, experts, agencies, organizations and the whole society to join hands and contribute to the National Data Association to successfully carry out its mission. At the same time, he emphasized: The Party and State are committed to creating all favorable conditions and providing maximum support for the development of the data sector, so that Vietnam can soon become a digital nation, a digital society, and a prosperous digital economy.

General Luong Tam Quang was elected Chairman of the National Data Association.

At the Congress, through the Congress Resolution with high consensus from the members, General Luong Tam Quang, Minister of Public Security, was elected to hold the position of Chairman of the National Data Association.

General Luong Tam Quang, Minister of Public Security, Chairman of the National Data Association, spoke at the Congress.

Speaking at the congress, comrade Luong Tam Quang emphasized: The National Data Association will be a bridge between businesses, building a diverse and stable data ecosystem, meeting the requirements of sustainable digital transformation in all fields, creating a premise to bring the country into the new digital era.

During its first term, the Association will focus on key activities such as: coordinating with relevant agencies, associations and organizations to disseminate national policies and laws on data. In addition, the Association will contribute opinions to relevant legal documents and make recommendations and consult with competent state agencies on issues related to the development of the data industry.

The Association will assist the authorities when requested with a clear mission, goals and direction.

The launch of the National Data Association promises to gather and protect the legitimate rights of members, promote the sharing of knowledge, experience, and application of scientific and technological achievements in the field of data; actively contribute to the national digital transformation process, market development, and data economy.

Previously, on February 25, the Ministry of Public Security held a ceremony to announce the establishment of the National Data Center. The Center was assigned by the Government to the Ministry of Public Security to build, manage, exploit and operate in order to integrate, synchronize, store, share, analyze, exploit and coordinate data of state agencies in accordance with the law, in order to form a human data warehouse and a data warehouse synthesized from national databases.

Data at the National Data Center is the core platform providing data-related services, supporting policy making, creating development, building digital government, digital society and digital economy, ensuring national defense and security, and is an important driving force in building a new era of prosperity. At the same time, providing technology infrastructure for socio-political organizations, national database systems and agencies in need of exploitation, operation, efficiency improvement, and network security.