Implementing the Project "Developing non-cash payments in Thanh Hoa province" in the period of 2021-2025, localities, agencies and units have deployed many forms of non-cash payments, bringing many conveniences to organizations and citizens and strongly promoting the goal of building digital government, digital economy and digital society that Thanh Hoa is aiming for.
BIDV Thanh Hoa Youth Union and Dien Bien Ward (Thanh Hoa City) guide people to open accounts and use QR Code.
The Provincial Public Administration Service Center is a pioneer in implementing non-cash payment methods when handling administrative procedures (TTHC). To create the most favorable conditions for organizations and citizens, especially those far from the city center, the center has deployed many non-cash payment methods such as: Transferring money via account number, using smart mobile phones to scan QR Pay codes, swiping ATM cards, credit cards via POS machines, online payment via the Provincial Public Service Portal. These payment methods not only save time for organizations and citizens but also increase publicity and transparency in handling administrative procedures. In 2023, the Provincial Public Administration Service Center collected more than 28.7 billion VND in fees and charges for handling administrative procedures. Of which, more than 15.8 billion VND was paid in non-cash forms (accounting for 55%). The number of cashless transactions in 2023 was 40,913, an increase of 366.4% over the same period in 2022. The units with high number of cashless payment transactions are: Department of Justice (32,166 transactions), Department of Health (2,458 transactions), Department of Transport (2,152 transactions), Department of Natural Resources and Environment (1,117 transactions)...
Mr. Ngo Van Cuong, Quang Thanh Ward (Thanh Hoa City) said: “In the past, I had to go directly to the Provincial Public Administration Service Center during office hours to pay the fee for a criminal record certificate, but now I can stay at home to submit my application and pay the fee online. I just need to use my mobile phone to transfer money at any time of the day. I find it very convenient for the people.”
To accelerate the roadmap for cashless electricity bill payment, while creating the most favorable conditions for customers to use electricity, Thanh Hoa Electricity Company has diversified the forms of electricity bill collection. Customers can choose from many forms of cashless payment such as: Online payment on the customer care website, through the banking system by automatic debit, bank transfer or e-wallet of intermediary collection organizations such as VNPT, Viettel, Payoo, Ecpay... From the efforts of the electricity industry, the close coordination of banks and intermediary organizations, especially the positive response of the people, in 2023, the rate of customers paying electricity bills without using cash of Thanh Hoa Electricity Company reached 93.18%, an increase of 2.05% compared to the plan and an increase of 1.13% over the same period.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa, Tan Son Ward (Thanh Hoa City) said: “In previous years, on the 12th of every month, I had to go to the street cultural house to pay the electricity bill. If I forgot or was too busy to pay, the following days, I had to go to Thanh Hoa Electricity Company to pay. But now, with the convenient cashless payment service, with just a few simple steps, I can pay the electricity bill right at home or at work, very quickly, conveniently and safely”.
Implementing the Project "Developing non-cash payments in Thanh Hoa province" in the period of 2021-2025, departments, branches, localities and telecommunications service providers have invested in upgrading technical infrastructure, upgrading capacity, expanding mobile broadband telecommunications networks and developing internet service points, well meeting the needs of developing non-cash payments. Currently, the whole province has 9,347 BTS stations installed at 3,982 locations; 100% of villages and hamlets have been covered by 3G, 4G mobile broadband information; there are 4,513 broadband internet service points in crowded areas...
Credit institutions have also paid attention to investing, building and developing a safe and convenient information technology system; the technical infrastructure for card payments has been improved, enhancing quality, ensuring stable operations. By the end of 2023, the whole province will have 361 ATMs, nearly 4,000 bank card payment machines (POS) with 3,000 card payment acceptance points at retail establishments, distribution chains, hotels, restaurants, etc. In addition, credit institutions also focus on developing new, safe and convenient products, services and payment methods such as opening accounts and cards electronically; paying and withdrawing money at ATMs using QR codes, etc. Accordingly, the number of non-cash payment transactions through commercial bank branches in the province in 2023 will reach over 150 million transactions. Many public service groups such as healthcare, education, electricity, water, etc. have been paid electronically. In 2023, the number of people receiving pensions, social insurance benefits, and unemployment benefits through non-cash payments accounted for 36% of the total number of subjects; 54/69 units in the health sector paid for medical services without cash; 3,217/3,399 units receiving salaries from the State budget made salary payments through accounts; the proportion of people receiving salaries from the budget paid through accounts accounted for about 90%.
Despite the many conveniences, in reality, cashless payments still face many difficulties because this form is only focused on people in urban areas. For people in rural areas, especially in mountainous areas, remote areas, the application of information technology is still limited, so access and use of this payment method is not much. In order to complete the goals set by 2025 according to the Project "Developing cashless payments in Thanh Hoa province" in the period of 2021-2025, along with promoting propaganda and raising awareness for people, departments, branches and localities need to continue to invest in synchronous technical infrastructure and deploy more convenient new payment methods to attract a large number of people to use.
Article and photos: To Phuong
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