The Government of Vietnam acknowledges the benefits of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in its various applications, as a means to develop economic diversification, foster competitiveness, increase productivity, and improve the efficiency and capability of institutions on a governmental level. The increasing availability to information and communication technologies has improved citizens access to information across the different economical sectors. ICT is therefore considered as a crucial catalyst to poverty reduction through the facilitation of information flow between citizens, businesses, and the government. Furthermore, it is considered that ICT ensures a better allocation of resources, service delivery, and acts as a value-creator for poor populations through the creation of new sources of employment and income. The results of this study will provide basis for discussion between the World Bank and the Government on concrete steps regarding how the Bank's financial assistance can best meet the country's need and support the implementation of the Government's plans in this important area. This consultancy is being undertaken as an initial part of a larger technical assistance project whose overall objective is to support the Government of Vietnam in the improvement of its provincial/local telecommunications and information infrastructure and services
it is undertaken in the context of public administrative reforms and decentralization by analyzing options of sustainable implementation arrangements.