Building modern and synchronized digital infrastructure has been identified as one of four strategic priorities of Dak Lak province, especially as the 4.0 Industrial Revolution accelerates across sectors.

Investing in modern digital infrastructure

Dak Lak has issued a series of directives and allocated significant resources to speed up digital infrastructure development. Major projects are now under way, including 5G deployment, a provincial data center, and digital platforms that support public administration, along with sector-specific digital solutions in healthcare, education, agriculture, and public services.

Provincial leaders visiting the display area showcasing technology applications by telecommunications enterprises at the "Digital Dak Lak" programme, which took place in mid-July 2025.

In the period of 2021 - 2025, the province earmarked more than 469 billion VND for science-technology, innovation, and digital transformation. The project “Dak Lak’s Digital Transformation Infrastructure in the period of 2021-2025, vision to 2030”, with a total investment of 330 billion VND and 18 bidding packages, is entering its final stage and is slated for completion in December 2025. It is expected to become a symbol of the province’s commitment to digital transformation.

The iGate system - online public service platform has been connected to the National public service portal and the national population database under Project 06 of the Ministry of Public Security. Rated at information security level 3, the system has operated seamlessly across all 102 communes and wards since July 1, 2025. The commune-level video-conferencing system has also been linked with central government meeting points to ensure uninterrupted communication.

Dak Lak is among the pioneer provinces in applying artificial intelligence (AI) to assist locals and businesses in information search and administrative procedure settlement. The model is being expanded to all communes and wards. Modern infrastructure is expected to bring digital skills and access to every village and hamlet, enabling residents to benefit from the digital transformation.

Driving force for development

At the first meeting of Dak Lak’s Steering Committee for Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation, comrade Nguyen Dinh Trung, member of the Party Central Committee cum the provincial Party Secretary, Head of the Steering Committee clarified the viewpoint and stressed the essential and mandatory nature of developing digital infrastructure. The province determined that it would invest strongly to achieve 5G coverage for 100% of all commune and ward centres by 2030; complete the provincial-level Local Government Service Platform (LGSP), build and operate the data analysis platform (NDAP).

Residents of Tan Lap ward receiving guidance on using AI to look up information and complete administrative procedures.

The province is also coordinating with telecommunications enterprises to build new BTS stations, expanding broadband coverage to remote and secluded areas. To date, the situation of "coverage gaps" has been rectified in 13 out of 15 hamlets and villages. Only two areas are still lacking broadband mobile coverage: Sa Bok hamlet in Nam Ka commune and Sub-area 249 in Ea Sup commune.

In the coming time, Dak Lak will continue to prioritise and invest in telecommunications and high-speed internet infrastructure to extend coverage to all rural areas, especially ethnic minority areas. The province will also invest in broadband mobile coverage infrastructure in the two hamlets that still have coverage gaps; coordinate with technology enterprises, telecommunication providers, and relevant agencies to assess the specific conditions and needs of each locality, thereby deploying digital infrastructure and solutions suitable for the actual situation.

Furthermore, the province will formulate specific and practical policies to develop and attract high-quality human resources in the fields of digital technology, data science, and artificial intelligence at the local level. Mechanisms for public-private partnerships (PPP) will also be established for investment in digital infrastructure, innovation centres and provincial-level digital transformation, alongside encouraging investment in high technology and innovation in rural areas, remote areas, and ethnic minority areas.

Translated by KHUONG THAO