Recognising the profound significance and urgent need for administrative reforms and digital transformation in the cause of the national construction and defence in the current situation, over the past time, alongside streamlining organisational structure  and building "adept, compact, strong" armed forces, the Party Committee and Command of  Military Region 4 have consistently put a high priority on leadership and direction to enhance the quality and effectiveness of administrative reforms and digital transformation. It is considered as core priorities and catalytic breakthroughs aimed at bolstering the efficiency and effectiveness of management, command, and operational coordination across agencies and units, enhancing synergy and combat capability. In alignment with a thorough grasp of resolutions, directives, and guidelines from higher echelons, the Military Region has issued a series of legal documents addressing administrative reforms and controlling administrative procedures, digital transformation, creating a legal corridor for executing these initiatives in a determined and coordinated fashion. At the same time, concerted efforts have been made to amplify awareness, education, and oversight, foster a culture of handling documents and completing tasks within a digital environment. Comprehensive training, coaching, and capacity-building programs have been conducted for personnel directly engaged in administrative reforms and digital transformation at all levels. Furthermore, substantial investments have been allocated to upgrade technical infrastructures, enhance security, and improve data transmission capabilities. As a result, the administrative reforms and digital transformation initiatives of the Military Region have yielded remarkable achievements. As of October 2024, the Military Region had successfully completed 41 out of 44 planned tasks, surpassing the pre-set targets. Among them, eight offices and units have finalised the review and proposed the publication of internal administrative procedures; 34 offices and units have adopted quality management systems in line with ISO 9001:2015 standards; all agencies and units have applied software for budget management, accounting, payroll, allowances, subsidies, and capital management. Throughout the Military Region, 85% of computers are now connected and transmitting data via the secure military network; online video conferencing systems are being effectively utilised to support command, management, and operation activities; shared software is regularly employed, and the exchange of electronic documents has been significantly enhanced, surpassing the targets set by the Ministry of National Defence (MND). Public administrative procedures are updated promptly and publicly posted, with many units utilising QR codes to facilitate access for citizens, businesses and agencies.

Military Region 4’s Command inspects administrative reforms and digital transformation at Military Region 4’s Economic Cooperation Corporation (photo: qdnd.vn)

However, the implementation of administrative reforms and digital transformation in some units has been indecisive as evidenced by insufficient awareness of this work among a section of cadres and professional service men and women. Local resources have not been fully tapped besides a shortage of dedicated personnel for digital transformation, with many serving in dual roles. Additionally, IT infrastructures are inadequate, with an insufficient computer-to-staff ratio (about 51%) and outdated equipment, etc.

In response to the current situation, the Military Region determines to exercise its leadership and direction over strategic breakthroughs in military administrative reforms and digital transformation via drastic and synchronous solutions with a focus placed on the following.

First, it is of utmost importance to strengthen the role of party committees and commanders at all levels, especially Steering Boards for Administrative Reforms and Digital Transformation. This is crucial for ensuring the success and efficiency of these reforms. On the basis of thoroughly grasping documents and instructions from superiors, particularly the MND’s Plan 3826/KH-BQP, dated 28 September 2021, on administrative reforms within the MND for the period of 2021 - 2025, and the MND’s Plan 4396/KH-BQP, dated 4 November 2021, on developing e-Government towards digital Government within the MND for the period of 2021 - 2025, with a vision towards 2030, the Military Region focuses on reviewing and supplementing targets and measures in the identified programs in line with its practical conditions, regularly streamlining all-level Steering Boards for administrative reforms and digital transformation, adjusting and supplementing leadership regulations, clearly defining the responsibilities and tasks of board members, presiding agencies, and coordinating agencies. At the same time, emphasis is placed on promoting the role of all-level Steering Boards in proposing policies and solutions for direction and guidance in accordance with the reality of the Military Region. In the immediate future, the Military Region concentrates on building and completing its Digital Transformation Project by 2030 and Project on investment in equipment and software for command, management and operation of military and defence tasks of the armed forces of Military Region 4. It continues to review and complete internal processes, supplementing coordination regulations and data inter-connection mechanisms among agencies and units inside and outside the Military Region, increasing the use of personal digital signatures as well as the dispatch and reception of electronic documents and records in the electronic environment, etc., thereby creating favourable conditions for agencies, units, organisations, officers, soldiers and people to efficiently handle administrative procedures and improve their task performance. Along with that, the Military Region directs party committees and commands of agencies and units to strengthen propagation and education work to raise public awareness of the necessity, benefits, and effectiveness of administrative reforms and digital transformation, making a transformation in behaviour and daily working habits of each officer and soldier.

Second, it is vital to focus on enhancing and developing human resources to meet the demands of administrative reforms and digital transformation. Reality shows that the quality of human resources is one of the main limitations and also a decisive factor for successful administrative reforms and digital transformation. Therefore, the Military Region has instructed relevant agencies, units, and localities to thoroughly assess personnel needs and accurately evaluate the current workforce. This will help create effective plans for recruitment, training, and development that address both immediate and long-term objectives. To this end, the Military Region prioritises a combination of initial and continuous training, with an emphasis on on-site training. Self-studying is encouraged to enhance officers and soldiers’ skills. The Information Technology Board is directed to form mobile teams to provide hands-on training for units, improving their ability to use common software, handle digital documents, and ensure security, encryption, and protection against malware. In addition, the Military Region will strengthen cooperation with the Military Technical Academy, the Institute of Military Science and Technology, and the Military Telecommunications Group to train personnel, transfer technology, and provide instructions on using new equipment and digital services. The Military Region will also implement policies of the MND on attracting external talents with sufficient political qualities, expertise, and skills to fill key positions that the Military has not yet trained for.

Third, it is essential to develop digital infrastructures to ensure seamless and standardised data integration across all levels. In addition to leveraging internal capabilities, the Military Region will strengthen collaboration with the Signal Corps, Command 86, the Military Telecommunications Group, and military academies and schools to upgrade and expand digital infrastructures for administrative reforms and digital transformation. Due to limited resources, immediate focus will be placed on establishing military data transmission networks, internet infrastructures, online video conferencing systems, data centres, and software tools for data analysis to support decision-making and management process at all levels. In the long term, the Military Region will continue to develop a unified digital data system, facilitating the creation of sector-specific data that is accurate, timely, and cohesive, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of command and administration. Investments will be made in the construction of data centres and server systems to meet the storage and processing requirements and ensure security and stability for command, management, training, and combat readiness. Furthermore, the Military Region will optimise the existing infrastructures, mobilising all available resources to procure equipment for advancing administrative reforms and digital transformation.

Fourth, it is necessary to conduct inspection and provide guidance to ensure robust information security and cyber security. While administrative reforms and digital transformation offer significant advantages, they also harbour inherent risks, such as data breaches and information leakage, which may instil a sense of insecurity and apprehension regarding potential disciplinary violations into users. Therefore, to fulfil the outlined objectives, the Military Region will persist in advancing the research and application of cutting-edge technologies, proposing innovative models to address challenges in data security, interoperability, connectivity, and sharing. This effort will focus on upgrading the information security monitoring systems, conducting regular inspections, and providing ongoing guidance to ensure strict compliance with regulations governing information security and cyber security for devices, software, and information networks. Proactive measures will be taken to swiftly detect and mitigate malware threats, ensuring the integrity and safety of the entire system. Furthermore, it is vital to uphold the role of all-level Steering Boards for Administrative Reforms and Digital Transformation in investigation, inspection, and supervision, promptly preventing malpractice, negligence, or delays in handling administrative procedures. There will also be an emphasis on elevating awareness, fostering a sense of responsibility, and raising vigilance among personnel engaged in digital tasks to guarantee both operational effectiveness and security.

Concurrently, the Military Region will further reform its management mechanisms for budgeting, finance, and public assets, ensuring strict adherence to legal provisions, preventing any incidents of misappropriation, waste, or regulatory violations. Great value will be attached to effectively implementing strategies to attract and optimally utilise financial resources to support administrative reforms and digital transformation to promote collective strength. Additionally, the Military Region will intensify preliminary and final reviews, while promptly recognising and rewarding exemplary models. These efforts will serve as the cornerstone for building "adept, compact, strong" armed forces towards modernity within Military Region 4 in order to meet the requirements of Fatherland construction, development, and protection in the new era.

Senior Colonel NGO NAM CUONG, MA

Deputy Commander of the Military Region