Bridging the digital divide in remote areas

As digital transformation gathers pace across Vietnam, bringing digital knowledge, skills and applications to people in remote, border and disadvantaged areas is helping narrow the digital divide while enabling residents to access digital services, improve their quality of life and create new opportunities for socio-economic development.

Youth union members help residents use digital services on the VNeID application. Photo: Nga Son

In addition to 95 Digital Summer Volunteer teams operating across communes and wards, the Dong Nai Youth Union (DNYU) has established 10 additional teams to support remote, border and disadvantaged areas, giving youth union members and young people opportunities to contribute to local communities while gaining valuable practical experience.

Opportunities to contribute and gain experience

After spending previous summer breaks taking extra courses, Nguyen Thi Huong Giang, a third-year Information Technology student at Dong Nai Technology University, decided to devote this year's summer vacation to joining the city-level Digital Summer Volunteer campaign in Thanh Son commune.

From July 15 to 25, Giang and her teammates have been working alongside local youth union members at the commune's Public Administrative Service Center while also going door to door to help residents complete administrative procedures online, integrate personal documents into the VNeID application, and raise awareness of personal data protection and online safety.

"Beyond helping local residents improve their digital knowledge and skills, volunteering in Thanh Son has given me many meaningful experiences. I've met new friends, learned more about people's daily lives, and gained valuable life experience," Giang said.

Nguyen Tran Phuong Ha, Deputy Secretary of the DNYU, encouraged volunteers to demonstrate the highest sense of responsibility, enthusiasm and creativity, and successfully fulfill their campaign duties, while leaving a lasting positive impression on local communities.

The city-level volunteer teams also include many high school graduates. Nguyen Ho Hanh Nhi, who recently completed Grade 12 at Luong The Vinh High School for the Gifted, joined the campaign immediately after finishing her studies.

According to Hanh Nhi, since arriving in Binh Tan commune, Hanh Nhi and her teammates have helped residents obtain queue numbers and submit online applications at the commune's Public Administrative Service Center. They have also visited villages with local youth union members to guide residents in using the VNeID application, integrating personal documents, registering digital signatures and joining the commune Youth Union in environmental clean-up activities.

"This is my first volunteer experience in a remote area, and it has been an invaluable opportunity for personal growth. Working closely with local residents has taught me patience, empathy and the importance of listening. I hope to continue joining volunteer activities whenever possible," Nhi said.

Bringing digital skills closer to communities

Nguyen Van Kien, a resident of Hamlet 1 in Thanh Son commune, had delayed applying for a replacement birth certificate for years because he found administrative procedures cumbersome. When his family recently needed the document to complete a land transfer, he finally visited the commune's Public Administrative Service Center.

Kien said that with assistance from volunteer youth union members and young people, he successfully submitted his application online and received an appointment to collect the result on July 23. The volunteers also showed him how to complete online administrative procedures independently and make better use of the digital services available through the VNeID application.

Digital Summer volunteers help residents in Thanh Son commune integrate personal documents into the VNeID application.

Vo Van Trung, Deputy Party Secretary and Chairman of the People's Committee of Thanh Son commune, said the locality highly appreciated the support provided by the DNYU.

"The city's Digital Summer Volunteer team has worked closely with our Community Digital Technology Team to help residents access the National Public Service Portal, install and use digital applications, and resolve difficulties encountered during administrative procedures," Trung said. "We hope more residents will use online public services, thereby accelerating digital transformation in the locality."

Nguyen Tran Phuong Ha, who also serves as Chairwoman of the Dong Nai Students’ Association and Chairwoman of the City Young Pioneers’ Council, said the Digital Summer campaign is one of the key initiatives that the Dong Nai People's Committee has tasked the City Youth Union and the Department of Science and Technology with jointly implementing during the summer of 2026. The campaign aims to harness the pioneering spirit and creativity of youth union members and young people in implementing the Digital Literacy for All movement while spreading digital skills throughout the community.

Ahead of the campaign, the DNYU organized training sessions on the VNeID application and online public services in areas such as land administration, justice and civil status registration, equipping volunteers with greater confidence to guide residents and address their questions. Through these efforts, the DNYU hopes to improve public awareness, digital literacy and practical skills, helping narrow the digital divide between urban and remote areas across Dong Nai.

By N. Son – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha