The Hanoitimes - The number of Internet users in Vietnam increased from 200,000 in 2000 to 32.4 million in the first quarter of 2012, ranking 18 among 20 countries with highest Internet access.

According to the General Statistics, the total Internet subscribers was estimated at 4.4 million in June this year, up 26.5% against the same period last year.

The number of 3G mobile Internet users reached 16 million by the end of 2011, accounting for over 80% of the total broadband Internet subscribers.

At present, all State agencies, mass organizations, businesses schools and many families surf the worldwide web to explore information. The Internet is becoming increasingly important for direction and management activities.

The quick development of the Internet is attributed to the Government’s Resolution 49/CP on developing information technology in 1990s, which was signed by Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet on August 4, 1993.

The Resolution was designed to fruitfully implement the renewal policy adopted by the 6^th National Party Congress. It summarizes information technology status in Vietnam and sets targets, contents and measures for information technology development until 2000.

To realize the Resolution, the Prime Minister signed Decision 221/TTg dated May 6, 1994 on the establishment of the National Program Steering Committee on Information Technology which was headed by former Minister of Science, Technology and Environment Dang Huu.

On March 11, 1995, the Prime Minister signed Decision 154/TTg on supplementing functions and tasks to the Steering Committee which was put under the Prime Minister’s management.

The Committee lured both local and foreign famous experts to offer regular advices on how to deploy the program.

An overall budget plan for the program was submitted to the National Assembly for approval at the last working session in 1995.

In 1996, the Government poured VND 100 billion to implement nearly 100 sub-projects of the program.

To consolidate backgrounds for a report to the leader of the Party and State, the Committee dispatched a number of survey delegations to Singapore, the US, Canada, Japan, the Republic of Korea, France, Hungary, Australia between 1996 and 1997.

Many seminars were also organized with the participation of international professionals and overseas Vietnamese people.

On November 19, 1997, Vietnam was officially connected with the international Internet network.

The Resolution 49/CP created a legal framework and a driving force for Vietnam to open the national Internet gateway 15 years ago.