Vietnam rolls out computerization project for public libraries, post offices

By eGov Innovation Editors | Nov 23, 2011

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Vietnan's Ministry of Information and Communications has launched a project for the improvement of computer usage and Internet access in 400 public libraries and 1,500 cultural post offices across 40 provinces.

The project, which would cost USD$50.5 million, envisions to give access to modern technology to people in rural areas and address the digital gap between urban and rural Vietnam, a report in the government website said.

Over the course of the five-year project, which is partly funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and Microsoft Corporation, computers with broadband Internet access will be installed across nearly 2,000 public libraries and cultural post offices.

At the launching ceremony, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Thanh Hung lauded the participation of the project partners, including the  Government Office, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Investment, Public Security and Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Vietnam Post and Telecommunication Corporation (VNPT), the Military Telecom Corporation (Viettel), the National Library and provincial Department of Information and Communications.