Ethnic minority people use smartphones to livestream the sale of agricultural products Keywords: Digital transformation in rural areas; Ethnic minority; Ethnic minority and mountainous areas.
1. The current situarion of digital transformation in ethnic minority and mountainous areas
Digital transformation in rural areas of ethnic minorities and mountainous areas is facing many difficulties compared to urban areas and other regions and regions in the country.
Firstly, telecommunications and Internet infrastructure have made significant progress, they still fall short of meeting requirements
Alongside the remarkable strides made in Vietnam’s telecommunications infrastructure, the network serving ethnic minority and mountainous areas has also seen significant improvement over the past decade. Fiber-optic cables have reached every village and hamlet and mobile network coverage now extends across the entire country… During the period of 2021-2025, under Sub-project 2 - “Application of information technology to support socio-economic development and ensure security and order in ethnic minority and mountainous areas” (part of the National Target Program for socio-economic development in these regions), localities implemented 60 information technology projects and established 933 support points to assist ethnic minority communities in applying information technology for socio-economic development and maintaining security and order…
However, investment in information technology infrastructure remains inadequate and uneven across regions, particularly in disadvantaged areas. In some villages, network signals are weak and unstable; low bandwidth fails to support high-data digital services; telecommunications and Internet infrastructure lack resilience against natural disasters. These limitations hinder ethnic minority communities from developing the habit of regularly using digital services, especially high-level online public services.
Secondly, access to digital devices remains limited due to cost and usage conditions
According to the results of the 2024 Survey on the Socio-economic Situation of 53 Ethnic Minority Groups (3rd survey), the proportion of ethnic minority households with home Internet access reached 85.6% as of July 1, 2024; in rural areas, this figure stood at 84.2%. The rate of rural ethnic minority households owning mobile phones is quite high, exceeding 78%... However, the proportion of rural ethnic minority households owning a desktop or laptop computer remains very low just over 10%. Many households share a single device among all family members. These devices typically fall into the low-cost, low-specification category; they deteriorate quickly and lack the capacity to install or run the applications required for digital transformation. This poses a significant barrier to the widespread adoption and implementation of complex digital platforms among these communities.
Thirdly, the digital proficiency and skills of local residents and grassroots-level officials remain limited
Digital skills are currently viewed as the biggest bottleneck in the digital transformation of ethnic minority and mountainous areas. Most residents use the Internet primarily for entertainment. Older adults are unfamiliar with technology, often fearing they might press the wrong buttons or feeling intimidated by the operations involved. People still prefer submitting paper documents and there remains a widespread reluctance to adopt cashless payment methods.
At the commune level, the majority of officials have yet to keep pace with new requirements for digital transformation, while the two-tier local government model demands rapid adaptation from both the political system and the contingent of officials at all levels. A lack of shared data and digital monitoring tools also poses significant barriers to the synchronized implementation of “digital villages” and commune-level digital governance, the level directly responsible for executing National Target Programs within the two-tier local government model.
Fourthly, there is a scarcity of digital content guides in ethnic minority languages and technology platforms are not yet user-friendly for ethnic minority communities
Digital content is primarily available in the national language, with few user guides in ethnic minority languages, making it difficult for digital messages to reach these communities. Currently, many localities have begun implementing bilingual approaches or organizing instructional classes in ethnic minority languages to help residents better understand the benefits of digital transformation. However, the scale remains limited and lacks synchronization. Consequently, despite investments in numerous platforms, actual usage rates are low and digital transformation in rural areas is progressing slowly; genuine, scalable “digital village” models have yet to clearly emerge.
2. Issues regarding digital transformation in rural areas inhabited by ethnic minorities and in mountainous areas
Firstly, the digital divide is not merely a matter of infrastructure but also of capacity
This issue currently represents the biggest bottleneck for digital transformation in ethnic minority and mountainous areas. In reality, while 4G coverage has been established, fiber-optic cables have reached commune centers and equipment has been provided, local residents still lack the proficiency or habit of using these technologies. Consequently, the nature of the digital divide has shifted from a lack of connectivity to having access without the ability to utilize it effectively.
Digital literacy encompasses more than just operational skills; it involves the ability to access information and proactively select and utilize digital services relevant to livelihoods, education, healthcare and access to public policies. Unless ethnic minority communities see firsthand how e-commerce facilitates the sale of agricultural produce, how electronic records simplify hospital visits, and how online public services save time and costs, they will not fully grasp the significance of digital transformation. Therefore, without systematic investment in human capital, it will be difficult to bridge the digital divide between ethnic minority and mountainous areas and other regions.
Secondly, digital transformation has not been closely linked to the livelihoods of ethnic minority communities
In reality, many places stop at training users on skills such as installing apps, opening accounts, and setting up online storefronts, yet lack a comprehensive support system covering production, standardization, packaging, logistics, payment processing and customer care. Ethnic minority communities are guided to join e-commerce platforms but lack the necessary support to actually make sales; they are encouraged to livestream but lack stable sources of goods; they are set up with e-wallets, yet their incomes remain precarious. In ethnic minority and mountainous areas, digital transformation is truly sustainable only when it becomes an integral part of the people’s livelihoods.
Thirdly, there is a lack of organizational models for implementation at the grassroots level
Villages and hamlets, the administrative units closest to the people still face limitations regarding digital transformation. Many lack dedicated technology staff; instead, the core workforce consists of village heads, Party cell secretaries, village elders, respected community figures or community digital technology teams, all of whom serve in concurrent roles and rely heavily on a sense of responsibility. Financial support is virtually non-existent; equipment is scarce and outdated; guidance materials are ill-suited to local languages and cultures. Under these circumstances, the mandate to bring local communities into the digital realm becomes an overwhelming task for villages. When villages lack digital skills, the digital transformation process hits a bottleneck at the final stage. Unless the challenges facing these villages are resolved, digital transformation in ethnic minority and mountainous areas will struggle to become a driver of sustainable development.
Fourthly, there is a lack of a mechanism to evaluate substantive effectiveness
Many current evaluation metrics still lean heavily toward inputs such as the number of communes covered, applications installed or community digital technology teams established... Meanwhile, outcome indicators such as the rate of ethnic minority residents using online public services, additional income generated through e-commerce, savings on travel costs for remote medical consultations, or the extent to which administrative processing times have been reduced are rarely tracked systematically. For digital transformation to achieve real depth, a set of evaluation criteria based on social impact, livelihoods, and the inherent capabilities of the people in other words, a more substantive form of measurement is required.
3. Some solutions to promote digital transformation in rural areas of ethnic minorities
Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, dated December 22nd, 2024, of the Politburo on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, identifies science, technology and digital transformation as new growth drivers for Vietnam to become a developed, high-income nation by 2045. Therefore, accelerating digital transformation in rural areas inhabited by ethnic minority and mountainous communities in the coming years contributes to bringing the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW into reality.
Based on an analysis of the current situation and implementation bottlenecks encountered recently, the author proposes several recommendations to foster digital transformation in ethnic minority and mountainous areas.
Firstly, shift the policy approach from “technology dissemination” to “addressing development challenges”
This solution represents a necessary and indeed pivotal adjustment for digital transformation in ethnic minority and mountainous regions. Adopting a “development-oriented” approach requires a shift away from conventional practices; rather than prioritizing universal app adoption or account ownership, the focus shifts to placing local residents at the center. This enables the selection of digital solutions that are appropriate, fit-for-purpose, user-friendly and cost-effective solutions closely aligned with local livelihoods that help address specific challenges such as agricultural market access, healthcare, education and production management, thereby generating tangible value for the community.
Secondly, closely link digital transformation with the National Target Programs on New Rural Development, Sustainable Poverty Reduction and Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas.
The National Target Programs on New Rural Development, Sustainable Poverty Reduction, and Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas for the period of 2026-2035 constitute the most important policy framework for the systematic implementation of digital transformation. Currently, regarding the first component: Within the framework of new rural development and sustainable poverty reduction, a specific component - “Development of science, technology, and digital transformation in rural areas” has been designed to implement Criterion Group 07 (regarding science, technology and digital transformation) under the National Criteria for New Rural Communes for the period of 2026-2030 .
The project’s implementation activities include: (1) Carrying out scientific, technological, and innovation-driven tasks to support new rural development and sustainable poverty reduction, aiming for “ecological agriculture” “modern rural areas”, “civilized farmers” and “multidimensional poverty reduction and sustainable development”; accelerating the transfer of scientific and technical advancements and technologies to improve rural living standards and economic development. (2) Effectively implementing the “Digital Literacy for All” movement within the context of new rural development and sustainable poverty reduction; piloting “digital market - digital rural area” models; developing and scaling up “smart new-style rural village” models. Adding digital transformation components into projects focused on livelihoods, education, healthcare and information and communication, rather than treating them as merely supplementary elements. Assist ethnic minority communities in accessing information on science and technology and in promoting local products to friends domestically and internationally. Enhancing the application and use of information technology to support socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, particularly through the application of information technology and digital transformation in the implementation of the Program.
In Component 2: Socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous ethnic minority areas, Activity No. 02 has been designed: Applying information technology to support socio-economic development and ensuring security and order in ethnic minority and mountainous ethnic minority areas, including the following contents: (1) Digital transformation in the organization and implementation of the Program. (2) Promoting digital transformation and the application of Internet of Things (IoT) technology to advance smart manufacturing and digital transformation across sectors including agriculture, industry, commerce, finance, education, healthcare, transportation, construction, logistics and tourism in ethnic minority and mountainous areas. (3) Organize online conferences, seminars and working sessions for the Central Steering Committee and its assisting bodies regarding the direction, guidance and implementation of the Program. (4) Support the establishment and maintenance of information technology support points for ethnic minority communities at commune and village levels to facilitate socio-economic development and ensure security and public order. (5) Support the development and maintenance of online marketplaces for products from ethnic minority and mountainous areas. (6) Develop a dedicated set of monitoring indicators for digital transformation in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, focusing on outcome-based metrics such as the usage rate of online public services, the effectiveness of digital applications in agricultural production and consumption and access to policy-related information. (7) Allow for the flexible use of Program funds to maintain grassroots support models, particularly community digital technology groups viewing them as long-term institutions for community development.
Thirdly, innovate implementation at the grassroots level with a community-centered approach
Currently, digital transformation is still primarily implemented through a top-down administrative model, while the capacity of ethnic minority communities remains limited. Therefore, it is necessary to innovate implementation methods by adopting a community-based approach and empowering local stakeholders. The focus lies in strengthening and enhancing the operational quality of community digital technology groups in villages and hamlets. These groups are not only responsible for providing technical guidance, but also need to be assigned the role of intermediary connecting people with digital government, public services and digital economic platforms. There is a mechanism to regularly train and foster commune, village and hamlet officials on digital skills. Design digital skills training programs based on the principle of “learning for immediate application”, focusing on essential skills such as using online public services, cashless payments, product traceability, selling on digital platforms and accessing policy information. Prioritizing training of nuclear forces in each village, including people who understand local culture, language and customs to ensure the sustainability and spread of the digital transformation process.
Fourthly, developing accessible digital content and platforms
Priority should be given to developing multilingual digital content, initially focusing on ethnic groups with large populations and integrating local cultural elements into content design and communication. User interfaces should be simplified to minimize technical steps, ensuring suitability for users with limited digital skills and devices with low-end specifications. Encouraging localities, cooperatives and communities to build digital content repositories featuring signature products, local knowledge and community-based tourism, thereby serving economic development while contributing to cultural preservation.
Fifthly, refining the mechanisms for coordinating, monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of digital transformation
Digital transformation in ethnic minority and mountainous areas is a cross-sectoral, multi-level challenge that requires a robust coordination mechanism and an evaluation system based on tangible impact. Current assessments still lean heavily towards the number of platforms, accounts and models, while lacking indicators that reflect actual changes in the lives of local residents. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a dedicated set of evaluation criteria for digital transformation in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, emphasizing outcome indicators such as the rate of public service usage via online channels, income growth derived from digital economic models and the level of access to policy-related information. Furthermore, the supervisory role of the community, social organizations, and research institutions should be strengthened, treating citizen feedback as a vital channel for timely policy adjustments.
4. Conclusion
Rural areas inhabited by ethnic minority groups and located in mountainous regions serve not only as centers of production but also as living environments that play a strategic role in culture, society, national defense and security. Promoting digital transformation in these areas is not merely a technical component of the National Digital Transformation Strategy; rather, it is a structural development imperative directly linked to social equity, narrowing the development gap, and ensuring that no one is left behind.
Practical experience shows that approaching digital transformation with a purely administrative and technological mindset while failing to integrate it with livelihoods, culture, and community capacity, risks widening the “digital divide”. Conversely, by adopting a human-centric approach that positions the community as the central actor and views digital transformation as a tool to address specific development challenges, this process can serve as a vital lever to accelerate development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas.
References
1. Communist Party of Vietnam (2024). Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22nd, 2024, of the Politburo on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation.
2. National Assembly (2025). Resolution No. 257/QH15 dated December 11th, 2025, approving the investment policy for the National Target Programs on New Rural Development, Sustainable Poverty Reduction, and Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas for the period of 2026-2035.
3. Steering Committee for National Target Programs (2025). Summary report on the implementation of the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas (2021-2030), Phase I: 2021-2025.
4. Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs (2025). Results of the third survey on the 53 ethnic minority groups (2024), http://cema.gov.vn/thong-bao/thong-bao-cap-nhat-ra-soat-ket-qua-dieu-tra-thu-thap-thong-tin-ve-thuc-trang-kinh-te-xa-hoi-cua-53-dan-toc-thieu-so-nam-2024.htm
