VNPT and Bac Ninh accelerate digital transformation toward a smart city

On April 2, 2026, the Bac Ninh Province People’s Committee and the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) signed a strategic cooperation agreement on the province’s digital transformation for 2026–2030, marking a new phase in which digital technology is positioned as a driver of growth and an enhancer of local governance capacity.

2021–2025: Results underpinning the next phase

The agreement builds on collaboration between VNPT and Bac Ninh during 2021–2025, where all core tasks were completed. In Bac Ninh, 4 of 4 tasks were completed, and in Bac Giang, 5 of 5 tasks were completed, creating a foundation for comprehensive digital transformation.

Telecommunications and information technology infrastructure was deployed in a coordinated manner, reaching 100% of the area down to commune, ward, and village levels. In Bac Ninh, the network includes 636 mobile base stations and nearly 200,000 fiber ports to support high-speed Internet access across localities. In Bac Giang, 667 4G stations and dozens of 5G stations were deployed to form a basis for next-generation digital applications.

Digital services and adoption in business and government

On this platform, digital services and applications were rolled out widely. More than 12,682 enterprises in Bac Ninh use electronic invoicing, while nearly 212,568 SmartCA digital signature subscriptions are in place. The period also saw thousands of enterprises applying digital solutions in governance and payments, supporting the development of the local digital economy.

Social-sector deployment and public security

Digital transformation also progressed in social domains. A digital health system was deployed to many health centers and commune-level facilities. In the transport sector, about 850 cameras were installed in Bac Ninh and over 800 in Bac Giang, connected to a centralized monitoring system to improve governance efficiency and public security.

2026–2030: From infrastructure build-out to data and platforms

Under the 2026–2030 phase, VNPT and Bac Ninh are expected to accelerate cooperation by shifting from building infrastructure to exploiting data and digital platforms. Digital infrastructure investment will continue, with modernization and integration planned to expand 5G/6G networks, cloud computing platforms, the Internet of Things (IoT), and large-scale data connectivity.

The plan also targets smart governance and administrative applications, supported by smart operation centers and shared databases connected to national data systems. Artificial intelligence (AI) and big data are expected to be applied more extensively to improve forecasting, analysis, and decision-making in state governance.

Beyond government, digital transformation is intended to extend to the business sector and daily life through e-commerce platforms, cashless payments, product traceability, and supply-chain management—aimed at boosting local competitiveness. Training programs to develop digital skills and digital citizenship are also expected to support the formation of a comprehensive digital society.

The direction aligns with Bac Ninh’s goal to become a centrally administered city before 2030, pursuing a smart-city model with sustainable development and a strong cultural identity.

Officials’ remarks and cooperation focus

At the signing ceremony, To Dung Thai, Chairman of VNPT’s Board, said the cooperation should move from direction to concrete action, with tangible results serving as the measurement. He noted that the province and VNPT will quantify cooperation contents to clearly show contributions to growth, productivity, and the budget.

To Dung Thai also emphasized VNPT’s commitment to accompany Bac Ninh in building digital infrastructure, developing science and technology, innovation, and comprehensive digital transformation across all aspects of provincial operations. Solutions provided in Bac Ninh are intended to align with national development directions, be compatible with national systems, and reflect the province’s specific conditions.

Province targets and cooperation priorities

Three core directions for Bac Ninh in the next period are: driving growth, enhancing innovation capability, and improving the efficiency of public administration.

• Growth: Bac Ninh aims to maintain two-digit growth rates, averaging about 10.5% per year for 2026–2031, with 2026 projected at 12.5–13%.
• Governance: The province plans to refine administration and improve the quality of government services to meet development needs as population and area grow rapidly, with a high share of foreign workers and experts.

Regarding VNPT cooperation, the province said it is essential to translate the signed contents into programs and projects with tangible outputs and clear indicators. Priorities include digital infrastructure development, 5G deployment, building platforms to support enterprises, promoting a startup ecosystem, and enabling local e-government and online public services.

The signing is expected to open a new phase of cooperation, contributing to Bac Ninh’s socio-economic development and strengthening the role of enterprises in the national digital transformation process.