Overview of the meeting

The delegation included: Mr. Ngo Duc Thang, Director of the Party - Government Cipher Bureau; Mr. Le Quang Tung, Deputy Director of the Cryptographic and Technical Operations Department; and other representatives from several departments and units under the Government Cipher Committee.

The delegation was received and worked with: Mr. Mai Son, Standing Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of Bac Ninh Provincial People's Committee; Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Ms. Nguy Thi Tuyet, Provincial Party Member, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial Fatherland Front Committee; along with leaders from various provincial departments and sectors.

Major General Ho Van Huong, Deputy Head of the Government Cipher Committee, Head of the Working Delegation, speaks at the meeting

After the merger of Bac Ninh and Bac Giang provinces into the new Bac Ninh Province, the Standing Committee of the Bac Ninh Provincial Party Committee clearly identified the implementation of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo (Resolution 57) on the development of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation as a key political task throughout its leadership and administration. The Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee has directed: the development and issuance of plans for the rapid implementation of Resolution 57; the restructuring of the organization overseeing the development of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation in the province; the establishment of daily online reporting via the nq57.vn system (100% of communes and wards have reported fully and on time); the creation of a Technology and Operations Rescue Team to support digital transformation from the provincial level down to the communes, and conducted multiple on-site sessions to assist communes directly in solving any challenges.

At the meeting, the delegates heard a report on the situation of implementing the two-level local government on a digital platform in Bac Ninh Province, covering areas such as: online public services, electronic administrative procedures, operational management systems, and electronic document management; ensuring connection infrastructure; implementing solutions for encryption, specialized digital signatures for public service use; and securing information and cybersecurity. The report indicates that these areas are generally meeting requirements.

Specifically:

As of July 28, 2025, based on 16 criteria for evaluating the readiness of the two-level local government model on the nq57.vn software platform, the results of implementation in the communes and wards of Bac Ninh are gradually being marked as "Ready" (green status), with the entire province meeting 98.9% of the criteria.

Basic public services are generally meeting the needs of the people, with communes and wards working hard to deploy solutions both in terms of personnel and technical support. Notably, the support for residents and businesses in accessing and using online public services has been implemented effectively through multiple online channels and social media, yielding clear results. The province has established interaction channels via Zalo, Facebook fanpages, the 0204.3531.111 hotline, and online consultations on the public service portal to receive feedback and provide guidance to citizens. At the grassroots level, Viet Yen Ward has mobilized youth volunteers and local police to provide direct assistance at the Public Administration Center, improving service quality and the proportion of residents using online public services.

Regarding the implementation of the shared operational management system with security measures: Localities have received all necessary security devices, products, and software from the Government Cipher Committee. The secure transmission of classified documents has been smooth from the Provincial Party Committee down to the 99 commune/ward Party Committees. The system is operating stably, with officials being thoroughly trained on the process for sending and receiving classified documents.

For the use of specialized digital signatures for public service and encryption certificates: At the check-in points, specialized digital signatures for public service and encryption certificates are ensured. The issuance, updating, extension, cancellation of certificates, unlocking of devices, and management of digital signatures are being done in a timely and efficient manner.

Regarding ensuring cybersecurity: Bac Ninh Province has systematically implemented measures, contributing significantly to the smooth operation of digital systems. The province's cybersecurity monitoring center has maintained 24/7 surveillance of the entire information infrastructure, promptly detecting and addressing 533 high-level alerts, preventing one cyber attack on the system's server in July 2025. The provincial police, in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology, conducted security vulnerability scans on seven servers and 451 computers across 99 communes/wards, promptly addressing technical weaknesses, particularly security gaps on online public services and electronic portals. The evaluation of two security level certification proposals submitted by the Provincial People's Committee is currently underway. Security monitoring has also been implemented at two locations: the old Bac Giang Science and Technology Department and the old Bac Ninh Department, with two independent monitoring teams.

Regarding the conference TV system: The conference TV system for Party agencies from the province to the Central level is secured via equipment from the Government Cipher Committee and is functioning smoothly. The provincial internal conference TV system is shared among Party and government agencies and is connected via dedicated data transmission, linking all 99 communes/wards. The system is operating simultaneously using MCU equipment from the old Bac Ninh Province and the old Bac Giang Province.

After listening to the reports and conducting on-site inspections at several communes and wards, the working delegation members concluded that the work related to digital transformation and administrative procedures at the local level is substantial and faces some challenges, such as: the large workload in the communes and wards being inspected; limited infrastructure, equipment, and facilities; only a minimum number of computers are available, especially at Party agencies; most communes/wards have only one secure computer at the Party Committee's office while the People's Committee and People's Council are located elsewhere, causing difficulties in handling classified documents; there is a shortage of dedicated personnel; most IT and digital transformation staff are part-time and have not received professional training; legal data, civil status, and land records have not been unified; the VNeID login system for public services is unstable; and the online submission rate at the commune level is only about 35.8%, lower than the province’s target, largely because people, especially the elderly, are not familiar with online public services.

At the meeting, the delegation and Bac Ninh province assessed the situation, identified the causes, and proposed practical solutions to address the remaining challenges.

Mr. Mai Son, Standing Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Bac Ninh Provincial People's Committee, speaks at the meeting

In his remarks, Mr. Mai Son thanked the Secretariat’s Working Group and the Government Cipher Committee for their attention and facilitation in preparing for the implementation of the two-level local government in Bac Ninh. He especially appreciated the delegation’s on-site inspection, which highlighted the limitations and shortcomings, helping the province promptly address them to ensure the smooth operation of the new digital-based local government system.

From the practical activities of the past month, Bac Ninh proposed that the Central Steering Committee continue to provide guidance, direction, and technical support in implementing the two-level local government model on the digital platform, especially in newly merged areas; send working delegations and expert consultants directly to the local level to guide, share experiences, and resolve emerging issues promptly; consider additional resources (financial, digital infrastructure, and information security). Bac Ninh also requested that the Digital Certification and Information Security Department of the Government Cipher Committee consider authorizing localities to update the organizational structure, allowing them to manage digital certificate and signature-related procedures independently.

On behalf of the working delegation, Major General Ho Van Huong concluded the meeting with positive evaluations. The meeting was successful, and Bac Ninh has generally implemented all requirements and adhered to the regulations for operating the two-level government system. The feedback and recommendations made have been noted and will be addressed in a timely manner. He emphasized the importance of the province’s efforts in stabilizing the organization of the two-level local government and ensuring the proper allocation of financial, equipment, and human resources to create a foundation for the system’s operation.

Delegates take a commemorative photo after the meeting