The smartphone that changes life
Few people think that digital transformation starts with very simple things like scanning QR codes to pay for haircuts, buying lottery tickets or sitting at home submitting administrative documents.
In Bac Lieu ward, Ca Mau province, those images are gradually becoming familiar. No longer a distant concept associated with technology or complex software, digital transformation is present right in people's daily lives.
Mr. Nguyen Van Nam, a barber in the area, said that previously customers mainly paid in cash. Now, there is always a QR code in front of the hair mirror for customers to transfer money. Many people do not bring cash but still pay after just a few seconds. "I find it convenient for both sides, so I do it right away. Customers just need to scan the code and it's done," Mr. Nam shared.
Not only business households, many lottery ticket vendors are also used to receiving money through bank accounts.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Ly said that many customers only bring phones. If previously they ignored the lottery ticket because they did not have cash, now they only need to transfer money to complete the transaction.
Meanwhile, for Ms. Nguyen Thi Nhu, the biggest benefit of digital transformation comes from monthly expenses. "I no longer have to go to the electricity and water bill collection point. Sitting at home for a few minutes and the bill is paid. On the phone, I can also see the power and water outage schedule, so I proactively arrange work," Ms. Nhu said.
These are very small changes, but they are gradually changing the way people access public services and utilities in life.
Bringing technology closer to the people
For these changes to become a habit, the important thing is not to invest in modern technology but to help people know how to use it.
In Bac Lieu ward, the "Digital Citizen Road" model is being implemented with a rather special approach. Instead of waiting for people to come to administrative agencies, hamlet officials, youth union members and the community digital technology team bring phones and documents to each household for guidance.
From installing applications, creating accounts, using online public services to getting a sequence number on Zalo before doing administrative procedures, all operations are guided directly.
Ms. Phan Thi Be, in Hamlet 12, recalled the early days of using her phone to perform online public services, she was quite confused. Being persistently guided many times by officials and youth union members, she gradually got used to the operations, and even could guide relatives in her family.
These seemingly very small things are contributing to the formation of digital skills in the community.
The effectiveness of this approach has also been replicated in many other localities in the province.
In Ganh Hao commune, the "model number hamlet" model has completed 9/10 criteria. More than 90% of adults use smartphones; over 95.84% of business households and businesses pay without cash; more than 92% of people know how to use essential online public services.
These figures show that digital transformation is no longer a story of state agencies but has become a part of people's lives.
Digital transformation will be difficult to succeed if it only stops at targets or software. When people find it more convenient, save more time, and be more proactive in daily life, that is the clearest measure of a digital community being formed.
