In September 1945, just days after gaining independence, the provisional Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam launched three major nationwide campaigns to combat hunger, illiteracy, and foreign invasion. The mass literacy drive emerged as the country’s largest basic education effort, teaching millions to read and write while ushering in a new era of knowledge and national self-determination.
Eighty years on, amid a digital age where technology becomes as a new language of daily life and digital proficiency enables societal participation, the Vietnamese Party and State have launched the “Digital Literacy for All” movement. Building on historical legacy but with a broader scope, it seeks to impart digital competencies beyond basic literacy, unlocking personal growth in a new national era.
A nationwide, comprehensive digital literacy movement
At the March 26 launch of the “Digital Literacy for All” movement and platform at the Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that if science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation form a strategic requirement, a strategic choice and a top priority in the current revolutionary phase, then a comprehensively digital society, digital nation, and digital citizenry are indispensable, and so is a broad-based digital literacy movement.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends the ceremony launching the “Digital Literacy for All” movement. (Photo: VNA)
Through this movement, the Party and State have set a clear and ambitious direction: to turn “Digital Literacy for All” into a revolutionary, nationwide, and inclusive, and extensive movement.
On November 18, 2024, Party General Secretary To Lam, head of the Central Steering Committee for Science – Technology Development, Innovation and Digital Transformation, called for the launch of the “Digital Literacy for All” movement.
Party General Secretary To Lam visits the “Digital National Assembly” exhibition at a thematic conference titled “Mass Digital Literacy – Digital National Assembly” in Hanoi in September 2025. (Photo: VNA)
Following its launch on March 26 this year, the movement garnered special attention and swift action across the political system.
The Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation worked with the Ministry of Science and Technology and other bodies to release a nationwide rollout plan.
All ministries, agencies, and localities subsequently crafted concrete action plans. Following administrative boundary adjustments, cities and provinces quickly perfected steering committees, formed working groups, and updated plans to maintain seamless coordination. Nationwide launch events were held in hybrid formats, connecting to thousands of grassroots hubs. The presence of Party and administration leaders at these events sent a clear message: digital skills are not only a right, but also a civic responsibility in the digital age.
The Tay Ninh provincial Youth Union teams up with departments and agencies to launch the “Digital Literacy for All” movement in August 2025. (Photo: VNA)
The An Giang provincial Military Command hosts a training conference in September 2025 to roll out the “Digital Literacy for All” movement and promote the use of artificial intelligence among army officers, professional soldiers, and defence workers. (Photo: VNA)
On April 29, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) issued a decision outlining a foundational framework for digital knowledge and skills, plus evaluation guidelines for digital literacy.
Leveraging this, the Ministry of Education and Training compiled short and practical curricula tailored to daily life and work, using a variety of formats like text, images, videos, and audio lectures for both lecturers and learners. The National Assembly, meanwhile, introduced a four-tier digital skills structure (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Specialised), aiding the creation of a modern and professional “digital legislature”.
“Knowledge is the key, technology is the door to a brighter future. To spread the ‘Digital Literacy for All’ movement, government policies and social support are essential. But above all, citizens themselves must take the lead, learning, sharing and applying digital knowledge to build a more progressive society in the new age.”
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said at the launch ceremony
Notably, the “Digital Literacy for All” platform, developed by the Ministry of Public Security, stands as the campaign’s central tool. It allows access anytime or anywhere, identity verification via the VNeID system, automated certification, and online record storage. The MoST is also building an AI-driven learning aide to customise learning content and methods, making education a smart and engaging process.
Across the country, creative local models have surfaced to invigorate communities, such as “Digital Families” in Hai Phong and Lam Dong, “Digital Markets – Digital Countryside” in Quang Ngai and Tuyen Quang, “Digital Volunteer Youth” in Da Nang and Thanh Hoa, the “Digital Literacy Journey” in Khanh Hoa, “Each Youth Member – One Digital Guide” in Lai Chau, and the “Soft ATM” model in Lang Sơn. These not only spread digital expertise but also foster community spirit and social responsibility in a tech-driven landscape.
Digital platform inspires spirit of learning, creativity
Digital infrastructure is seen as a prerequisite for the movement’s success. Data from the MoST’s Authority of Radio Frequency Management showed the 4G coverage extending to 99.8% of the population by the end of June. With over 12,000 5G base stations rolled out nationwide, the country now posts 12 million active 5G subscriptions and has laid more than 1.2 million km of fibre-optic cables reaching every commune and ward. Additionally, 85% of households are connected to fibre networks, highlighting the extensive reach of Vietnam’s digital framework.
Technical staff from the Hanoi branch of the Viettel Construction Corporation install 5G base stations for the National Day celebration in Hanoi on September 2. (Photo: VNA)
This solid foundation has driven broad digital uptake. By mid-2025, over 80% of public employees had gained basic digital competencies. All students had received training in digital knowledge, skills, and cybersecurity as well.
Meanwhile, almost 80% of adults demonstrated proficiency in using smart devices, navigating digital platforms and services, and protecting themselves against online threats. Standout localities like Ha Tinh, Can Tho, Quang Tri, Da Nang and Lam Dong adopted flexible strategies that tied the movement to local socio-economic development goals. In sum, “Digital Literacy for All” has emerged as a pragmatic and people-focused policy that advances tech accessibility, personal empowerment, and equality in development opportunities for all.
Youth union members in Hoan Kiem ward, Hanoi, assist and guide residents in using smart devices, accessing the Internet safely, and utilising online public services. (Photo: VNA)
To ensure the movement’s long-term success, the Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation outlined seven priority tasks for the rest of 2025. These include bolstering leadership, refining policies and mechanisms, integrating digital literacy goals into local socio-economic development resolutions, ramping up communications, honouring top learners and mentors, and broadening multilingual learning materials, particularly for ethnic groups.
The plan targets four key groups: civil servants, students, workers, and the general public. It aims to build a national network of community digital mentors and expand online learning platforms tied to VNeID for identity verification and automated assessment. It also looks to scale up effective models such as community digital teams, digital families, digital markets, digital ambassadors, and youth units, and bolster defences against cyber risks and scams.
Community digital technology teams in Dak Lak province serve as the vanguard on the “Digital Literacy for All” front, bringing digital technology to every resident in villages and hamlets. (Photo: VNA)
“Digital Literacy for All’ is not just a skills training programme, it is a nationwide social movement aimed at awakening the spirit of learning, creativity, and self-improvement in every citizen
“‘Digital Literacy for All’ must become a revolutionary, nationwide, comprehensive, and inclusive movement. Every Party member, official, and civil servant must lead by example in acquiring digital skills and adapting their work methods to the digital era.”
The movement reflects Vietnam’s spirit of innovation in the digital age, and calls on every citizen to join. As Party General Secretary To Lam stressed at a special conference on digital literacy and digital National Assembly, improving digital knowledge among officials, civil servants, and citizens is essential, closely linked with administrative reform and socio-economic development./.
