Proposing multiple benefits and incentives linked to digital citizen scores

According to information from the Ministry of Public Security, after three years of implementation, as of July 2025, Decision No 06/QD-TTg dated January 6, 2022 approving the Scheme on developing population data applications, electronic identification and authentication to serve national digital transformation for the 2022–2025 period, with a vision to 2030 (Scheme 06), has basically achieved its foundational objectives. The results of Scheme 06 have contributed to helping Viet Nam make significant progress in the United Nations E-Government Development Index (EGDI) 2024, with Viet Nam climbing 15 places compared with 2022 to rank 71st out of 193 member states.

Under Scheme 06, digital citizens are identified as a foundational factor determining the success of digital transformation across all three pillars: digital government, the digital economy and a digital society. To further enhance the achievements of Scheme 06, it is essential to place strong emphasis on the development of digital citizens, ensuring a balance between the enjoyment of rights and the fulfilment of civic obligations in the digital environment.

However, at present, the development of digital citizens in Viet Nam still faces certain limitations. Specifically, there remains a significant disparity in digital capacity between urban and rural populations, as well as among different social groups; technological infrastructure and data storage systems among ministries and agencies are not yet truly effective; and the widespread adoption of digital infrastructure, particularly electronic identification via VNeID, continues to encounter many difficulties. These challenges stem in part from the lack of tax and fee incentives to encourage people to shift their habits from traditional environments to digital ones.

Therefore, the drafting of a Government Resolution on the development of digital citizens aims to establish the first unified and comprehensive legal framework in Viet Nam on digital citizens, clearly defining their legal status, benefits and responsibilities when participating in the digital environment. At the same time, it seeks to promote the improvement of digital capacity, digital skills and information security awareness for the entire population, narrow the digital divide between urban and rural areas and among different social groups, and address the “gap” between technological achievements and the public’s ability to use them effectively.

To become a digital citizen, the draft resolution stipulates that individuals must be granted an electronic identification account on the national identification application (VNeID); comply with the obligations of digital citizens; participate in identification and authentication in the digital environment; be capable of using public services and digital services safely and lawfully; contribute data; take part in national digital transformation activities; and be classified as a digital citizen.

To encourage proactive public participation, the draft resolution proposes a mechanism to recognise citizens’ levels of active engagement in the digital environment, linked to tangible incentives. Based on the extent to which citizens enhance their digital skills, participate in public services and engage in other digital transactions, they may benefit from additional policies on tax and fee exemptions or reductions. These include a 100% exemption from fees and charges for basic and essential administrative procedures related to personal rights or frequently used administrative procedures, and a minimum 50% reduction in fees and charges for more complex administrative procedures that involve higher management costs.

The draft also envisages the development and implementation of a “Digital citizen scoring system” linked to population data and electronic identity. Scores would be calculated based on data updates, frequency of digital service usage and contributions to the digital community. These scores would be associated with benefits and incentives relating to taxes, fees, services, administrative procedures and social welfare.

Ensuring feasibility and citizens’ equality

At the meeting of the Independent Appraisal Council on the draft Government Resolution on the development of digital citizens, held on January 13, Council members highly appreciated the necessity of issuing such a resolution to promote the development of digital citizens, protect citizens’ rights and enhance their digital capacity in the digital era.

However, in order to refine the draft, Mai Thi Thanh Binh, representing the Ministry of Science and Technology, suggested that careful consideration be given to the use of the terms “ranking” and “classifying citizens”, to ensure full compliance with the Constitution and the law, and to safeguard human rights and citizens’ rights. She also called for a review of criteria to ensure feasibility and fairness among different groups in terms of age, education and socio-economic conditions, as well as a review to ensure consistency and alignment of provisions on digital signatures and digital citizens with the Law on Digital Transformation and the Law on Electronic Transactions.

Regarding the Digital Citizen Scoring System, a representative of the Department for the Review of Legal Documents and the Management of the Handling of Legal Normative Documents under the Ministry of Justice noted that provisions on scoring digital citizens could create certain psychological barriers. It was therefore suggested that the resolution might instead set out general provisions on basic citizens when participating in public services.

Some opinions held that dividing “digital citizens” into groups such as “active”, “basic” and “general” to grant different levels of incentives could also lead to inequality. Individuals with greater technological proficiency would have advantages over others, including within the public sector. As such, revisions are needed to ensure a balance between the enjoyment of rights and the fulfilment of obligations, enabling citizens to have sufficient tools and a clear legal framework to live and work safely and effectively in the digital era.

At the appraisal session, Council members also stressed the need to further clarify the concept of a “digital citizen” to avoid overlap with existing concepts; to review provisions on citizens’ obligations to ensure they are appropriate and encouraging rather than mandatory; and to establish clear and specific bases for the classification and scoring of digital citizens, while expanding citizens’ rights to supervise information systems that use public investment.

With regard to the scope of regulation and incentive policies, Deputy Minister of Justice Nguyen Thanh Tu proposed a thorough review to avoid overlapping regulations or excessive intervention in areas already governed by specialised laws, particularly policies on tax, fees and charges.

For tax reduction policies, careful consideration should be given to feasibility, practical impact and the capacity of the tax system to implement them, as this is a technically and administratively complex issue. In addition, for online public services, a clear distinction should be made between mandatory public services and ordinary e-commerce services, in order to avoid policy designs that could restrict citizens’ access to services or create unnecessary discrimination.

The Deputy Minister also noted that the drafting body should clearly explain the proposed application approach, pilot roadmap, review and policy refinement process, and clarify the relationship between this resolution and relevant laws such as the Law on Taxation, the Law on Fees and Charges, and the Law on the Organisation of the Government. Where provisions relate to the authority of the Ministry of Finance or provincial-level People’s Councils, a full explanation of the legal basis and regulatory authority is required.

It is also necessary to clarify financial, human and technical resources, particularly the exploitation and operation of existing digital platforms; assess gender and ethnic impacts; and ensure appropriate support mechanisms for vulnerable groups and ethnic minority communities, so as to avoid widening the digital divide.

Pointing out that the use of concepts such as “scores”, “ranking” and “classification of digital citizens” is giving rise to inconsistent interpretations, the Deputy Minister recommended that the drafting body revise the text towards an approach based on “thresholds” or “incentive levels”, in order to ensure consistency and compliance with the Constitution.