Nghe An's new communes invest in self-service kiosks, boosting public administration efficiency

Equipped with modern technology

Around 10 a.m. on July 11, Mr. Tran Van Minh from Phuc Hau hamlet, Vinh Hung ward (formerly hamlet 7, Nghi Lien commune) finished his administrative procedures at the ward's new Public Administration Service Center.

Mr. Minh shared: "I'm over 70 years old this year, but this is the first time I've come to the commune office to get documents certified using such a modern and fast automated machine with a touchscreen. It only took one touch of a fingertip to register successfully. When I arrived, I was guided by youth union members to use the self-service machine to get a queue number and register the purpose of my visit".

"After getting my number, I waited in a cool, air-conditioned room and was given clear instructions by the staff, so I didn't have to run back and forth". Saying this, Mr. Minh happily left after "showing off" his processed file, which he will return to collect on the scheduled date.

The automated machine with a touchscreen that Mr. Minh mentioned is the self-service public service kiosk recently put into operation at the Vinh Hung Ward Public Administration Service Center.

At the Vinh Hung center, in addition to the self-service kiosk, other equipment and machinery, as well as the facilities, have been renovated and decorated to be very clean, beautiful, and tidy. Staff members are arranged by their respective fields to conveniently handle citizens' administrative requests and reduce waiting times. The center is even equipped with a photocopier to assist people who need to copy documents and papers.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Duc, Director of the Vinh Hung Ward Public Administration Service Center, stated that Vinh Hung ward has about 60,000 residents. The ward has assigned 12 officials and civil servants to be regularly present and work in their designated roles. Since the new two-tier local government model began, a large number of citizens have come to the center for services. On average, there are about 50-60 visits per day for procedures and paperwork. After one week of operation, the center has received and processed over 420 procedures.

"People often come for services in large numbers between 2-4 p.m. daily. To handle such a large volume of work and files, right before launching, we renovated the offices, purchased various machines, upgraded the telecommunications and internet connection system, and worked with the service provider to put the self-service public service kiosk into operation from day one", said Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Duc.

Accelerating the efficiency of administrative procedure resolution

Across Nghe An, quite a few communes and wards have invested in modern machinery, especially self-service public service kiosks, to upgrade and modernize public administration processes in the true spirit of practical and effective digital transformation. Besides Vinh Hung ward, self-service kiosks have also been equipped in other communes and wards such as Anh Son, Con Cuong, Van An, and Tan Mai.

At the Anh Son Commune Public Administration Service Center, Mr. Bui Anh Dung, the center's director, said that the self-service kiosk was just installed on July 10. The commune is currently coordinating with the service provider to run tests and connect accounts and public service portals so that it can be put into operation to serve the public on July 14.

Similarly, at the Con Cuong Commune Public Administration Service Center, Mr. Le Trung Loi, the center's deputy director, reported that after 10 days of operation, the center had received and processed 225 administrative files. As of 2 p.m. on July 11, 186 files had been fully resolved. In the near future, putting the self-service public service kiosk into operation will help increase the speed and efficiency of work, better meeting the needs and satisfaction of the people.

In Nghe An, there are tens of thousands of daily visits to the province's Online Public Service Portal to look up information, register, and carry out administrative procedures and public services. All procedures are conducted according to the correct processes and regulations, with results delivered as stipulated.

In the time to come, along with investment in machinery and equipment, there will be support from all levels and sectors to further enhance the operational efficiency of the public administration service centers in the 130 wards and communes. Most recently, on the afternoon of July 10, at its 31st session, the Nghe An Provincial People's Council passed a resolution to adjust the state budget revenue and expenditure estimates and the local budget allocation plan for 2025, following the reorganization of administrative units and the implementation of the two-tier local government model.

Accordingly, the Provincial People's Committee has directed the Department of Finance to request that localities report their full funding needs for purchasing equipment, and repairing, renovating, and upgrading offices, including funds for information technology equipment. In the immediate future, the province will allocate VND 141 billion from the central government's budget to support these items.