(VOVworld)- Since it first appeared in Vietnam in 1997, the internet has witnessed breakthrough development thanks to the state’s incentives. Today, VOV reporter Thu Hoa reports on internet development in Vietnam.

Since Vietnam first linked to the internet on November 19, 1997, the internet has developed rapidly in the country. From 1997 to 2003, there were about 1.8 million internet users in Vietnam. Since internet ADSL service was launched in Vietnam in February 2003, the number of internet users has risen sharply. Now, there are 19 internet service providers in Vietnam and the number of internet users has increased from to 31.1 million. The launch of 3G internet service in October, 2009 marked a milestone in the development of broadband internet. There are 16 million 3G internet users in Vietnam, accounting for 18% of the population. According to the International Telecommunications Union, in 2011, Vietnam ranked 4^th in Southeast Asia in percentage of internet users. Vietnam had one of the world’s highest rates of internet growth-12%- from 2000 to 2010. Broadband internet access is now available in 99.85% of urban wards and 84.46% of rural communes. The robust development of the internet can be attributed to Vietnam’s consistent laws and policies in internet management including the Law on Information Technology, the Telecommunications Law, and Decree on Internet Service Management. Luu Vu Hai, Director of the Radio, TV and Internet Information Department of the Ministry of Information and Communication says: "All Vietnamese laws promote the use of thw internet in economics, culture, and society to increase productivity, expand commercial activities, assist administrative reforms, enhance public convenience, improve living standards and ensure national security. These laws also facilitate the provisions of internet services and prevent abuses of internet that undermine national security, cultural tradition or morality. These policies aim to promote internet development  which any country in the world is pursuing".

Over the past 15 years, the internet has contributed to socio economic development in Vietnam. It has become an effective and indispensable tool for social and economic management. In the integration process, the internet serves as an important bridge linking Vietnam and the world and a key for accessing information and technological advances. That’s why Vietnam has paid increasing attention to internet management. Doctor Mai Liem Truc, former Deputy Director of the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, contributed greatly to the development of internet in Vietnam. "It’s necessary to reform internet management periodically. Before 1997, when the internet had just begun in Vietnam, we only aimed to develop services we could manage. But now with increasing demand for the internet, we’ve changed our management methods to promote the growth of the internet in Vietnam. The management of the internet needs further reforms", said Truc.

The Ministry of Information and Communication recently submitted to the government a proposal on internet management, which focuses on promoting internet applications, creating a mechanism to ensure internet security.

Thu Hoa