Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính (first row, centre) gives certificates of merit to organisations and individuals with good contribution to the two projects’ implementation. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on Tuesday said launching a national database on population and the citizen identity database was a step forward in the process of transforming national governance.

He made a statement while attending a conference to review the national population database project and the citizen identification card project.

The conference, held by the Ministry of Public Security (MPS), also announced the official operation of the national data system on population and a system for issuing and managing citizen identification from July 1 this year.

At the conference, PM Chính said effectively using these databases so people and businesses can reap the benefits was the wish of the Party, the State, society and the people.

The system meets the needs of international and regional integration and launching it was an important event that affirmed efforts in accelerating national digital transformation, he said.

This was also a large-scale, difficult and complex public investment project, which was effectively carried out and put into use in a short time, he said.

The Prime Minister also mentioned the response of the people as showing the two projects were popular, as "many people lined up and stayed up all night to make citizen identification procedures in time".

Over the years, the Party and the State have promoted the use of science and technology to aid sustainable development and international integration. Since the Law on Citizenship was passed in 2014, the MPS has made efforts to actively, creatively and effectively implement the two projects, he said.

Although they were independent projects, the MPS directed their integration to avoid waste, saving VNĐ1 trillion (US$43.6 million) of funding that was originally earmarked for the projects.

The system has so far collected information of more than 98 million people and issued identification codes to citizens nationwide. This is an important basis to establish citizens’ electronic identity, contributing to national digital transformation.

From March 1, 2021, up to now, the country has received more than 54 million applications for identity cards.

PM Chính said these results contributed to changing citizen management from manual to modern and also reformed population management, saving time, effort and facilities.

The success of the two projects was even more meaningful amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

He noted that building the system was only the first step of success and bringing it to life and enhancing its effectiveness was the important next step.

The PM said the efforts, innovation and determination of all involved in the construction and operation of the national database on population and citizen identity management would be appreciated by people and businesses. — VNS