Working with partners, including Australia in digital transformation and a smart city would help Hanoi gain expertise in speeding up plans in these fields, said Vice-chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Ha Minh Hai at the meeting with representatives of the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA).

Vice-chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Ha Minh Hai and Lucy Poole, General Manager of Digital Strategy, Architecture, and Discovery at DTA at the meeting in Hanoi on Oct 12. Photo: Ha Thanh/The Hanoi Times

Given the significance of digital transformation and smart city evolution, Hanoi wishes to collaborate with countries around the world, including Australia for the fact that DTA has extensive experience in implementing the Australian Government's National Transformation Strategy, investment, appraisal, approval, and evaluation of the effectiveness of digital transformation programs, Hai said.

"Working with DTA gives Hanoi a chance to share knowledge and increase opportunities for collaboration with Australian partners, helping to prepare for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Australia in 2023," Hai said at the meeting attended by officials of DTA and the Embassy of Australia in Hanoi.

Hai, who is also head of Hanoi's Digital Transformation Team, stressed that based on the implementation of a resolution by the Hanoi Party Committee on digital transformation and building a smart city by 2025 and vision to 2030, the local agencies have been assigned specific plans, including international cooperation content.

At the meeting, the two sides shared experiences and problems facing them during the implementation of digital transformation.

Lucy Poole, General Manager of Digital Strategy, Architecture, and Discovery at DTA, said the company provides strategic leadership on shared ICT and digital services across the entire government, including sourcing and capability development. 

She said it also provides guidelines, benchmarks, and platforms for the delivery of ICT and digital services across the entire government. Meanwhile, the agency offers guidance to government departments and agencies on potential ICT and digital investment projects. Additionally, it's in charge of the entire government's digital portfolio, assurance policy, and large-scale ICT and digital investments.

On this occasion, DTA shared about the Australian Government Architecture (AGA) that can aid in digital transformation by compiling a selection of digital artifacts and guidance materials that can be used as a roadmap to instruct its users on aligning with the government's digital direction.  

The AGA content is participatory, which means that the company seeks out the best available guidelines, such as policies, standards, and designs, to act as users' guideposts.

As a result, it plays a significant role in the ICT investment oversight framework, which enables agencies to use AGA guidance as a framework for decision-making to support better digital investments.  

DTA is an agency responsible for strategic leadership driving and securing the Australian Government's investment in digital service delivery.

Attending the meeting included Lucy Poole, General Manager of Digital Strategy, Architecture, and Discovery at DTA; Lauren Mills, Branch Manager for Strategic Planning at DTA, and representatives of Hanoi's agencies specializing in Information and Communication; Foreign Affairs; Construction; Transport; Natural Resources and Environment; Finance; Planning and Investment, and executives of FPA, one of the largest information technology service companies in Vietnam; and Vietnam Posts and Telecommunication Group.