Hànội Shifts Toward Data-Driven Governance After One Year of Digital Transformation Resolution

Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: After one year of implementing a sweeping national resolution on science, technology and digital transformation, Hànội has begun transitioning from intuition-based administration to a governance model anchored in data, innovation and measurable outcomes, city officials said.

City leaders described the first year of implementing the Politburo’s Resolution 57 as a period of visible institutional change, marked by the piloting of data platforms, the introduction of digital dashboards and renewed efforts to reshape decision-making across the political system.

According to municipal authorities, the most significant development has been a fundamental shift in mindset.

“Data is no longer treated as a purely technical issue. It is now understood as a development resource and a core tool for governance,” a senior official said.

That shift underpins a newly released implementation plan for the next phase of the resolution. Unlike earlier policy frameworks that focused largely on broad directions, the new plan sets out quantified targets, clear timelines and performance indicators, signalling a stronger emphasis on execution and accountability.

At the core of the strategy is the ambition to position Hà Nội as a national testbed for data-driven governance, digital-economy growth and innovation-led development. City authorities say the capital will not only reform its own administrative systems but also pilot governance models that could later be replicated nationwide.

Decision-making reform is a key priority. Under the plan, all operational decisions by city authorities are expected to be supported by digital data and real-time dashboards. Officials aim to reduce processing times for cross-agency procedures by at least 20 per cent, significantly cut paperwork and routine meetings, and gradually move toward real-time governance based on continuously updated data.

The plan also outlines specific economic targets. By 2026, Hà Nội expects the digital economy to contribute 14.5 per cent of gross regional domestic product, while science, technology and digital transformation combined are projected to account for 17.5 per cent. Total factor productivity is expected to represent about half of overall economic growth.

Infrastructure development features prominently in the strategy. The city plans to extend 5G coverage to 70 per cent of its population, ensure that all internal government operations are conducted electronically and provide at least 80 per cent of administrative services fully online. User satisfaction with digital public services is targeted at 95 per cent.

Beyond administrative reform, Hà Nội is positioning innovation as a key growth engine. Targets include the commercialisation of at least five strategic technology products, the development of a “Make in Hà Nội” start-up ecosystem and the creation of a high-level talent pool of scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs capable of addressing complex urban challenges.

A central feature of the city’s approach is the use of the Capital Law as a policy enabler. Officials say the law will be leveraged not only to remove existing bottlenecks but also to test new policy instruments, including regulatory sandboxes, output-based payments and performance-linked public spending.

The implementation plan identifies 20 groups of tasks and solutions, all designed around measurable results rather than procedural compliance. Progress will be tracked through digital monitoring systems, enabling real-time reporting and stricter accountability for senior officials. The city has stressed that formalistic reporting and implementation delays will no longer be tolerated.

Administrative reform runs through the plan as a unifying theme. Rather than merely accelerating existing processes, officials say the objective is to redesign them around data, lowering compliance costs for businesses and residents while improving transparency and efficiency.

Human capital development is another priority. Hà Nội plans to strengthen specialised agencies overseeing science, technology and digital transformation, introduce tailored incentive mechanisms under the Capital Law and align training programmes directly with the city’s priority projects.

City leaders said Hà Nội’s role extends beyond local reform. As Viet Nam’s political and administrative centre, the capital is expected to lead by example, testing advanced governance models that can help inform national policy and institutional reform.