Expert Lại Thiên Phong: Localizing digital transformation – a new growth driver for Vietnam

DNHN - On the morning of April 21, at the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Development announced the 2026 innovation agenda aligned with the National Strategy for Startup and Innovation.

The event emphasized mobilizing the technology business community to work alongside the Government, tackling complex challenges to accelerate digital transformation in a substantive, effective manner that drives growth.

Currently, multiple ministries and sectors are actively engaging and listening to the voices of private enterprises to ensure more effective implementation. Notably, the Ministry of Public Security is leading several initiatives on data, digital infrastructure, and artificial intelligence, signaling that national digital transformation has entered a new phase, cross-sectoral, large-scale execution closely tied to modern governance requirements.

In alignment with the National Digital Transformation Program, Business & Integration Magazine conducted an interview with Mr. Lại Thiên Phong, MSc, an expert in digital transformation in land management, urban planning, and data governance, and Chairman of TPGroup on how to translate major policies into concrete outcomes at the commune and ward levels following administrative mergers.

Reporter: How is TPGroup accompanying the Government in national digital transformation?

Expert Lại Thiên Phong: TPGroup operates in digital transformation, land and natural resource management, construction planning, and smart urban development. With over 15 years of organizational experience and more than 20 years of personal hands-on expertise, we have found that after administrative mergers, the biggest challenge for localities is rapid inspection and post-inspection, effective planning management, and big data governance. These are essential to ensure synchronized development from commune and ward levels to higher administrative tiers.

Without standardized data and appropriate governance tools, it is extremely difficult for local governments to operate effectively. Therefore, we focus on two key pillars: digital transformation in land management and digital transformation in construction and master planning. These serve as the foundation for building a data economy and advancing the digital economy.

We develop data platforms and data-driven governance tools tailored to each locality, as every area has its own characteristics in governance practices and existing data conditions. Effective digital transformation must begin at the commune and ward levels, with innovative thinking and governance capabilities that match the current pace of change.

Reporter: Could you elaborate on the technological solutions TPGroup has provided to localities?

Expert Lại Thiên Phong: We have developed an integrated platform combining GIS, BIM, and multi-sectoral data, not only for land and planning, but also covering culture, tourism, healthcare, education, construction, transportation, urban management, and agriculture. All are interconnected on a unified digital twin platform, enabling streamlined and intelligent governance.

This platform allows authorities, officials, businesses, and citizens to access and use a shared data system updated in real time. Decision-making no longer depends on manual reports or fragmented data but is based on visualized, synchronized, and verifiable information.

The solution enhances governance efficiency, delivering tangible outcomes: leaders gain clearer insights, make faster decisions, reduce intermediaries and delays, and minimize manual processes. As a result, service quality improves while saving time, budget, and resources.

In practice, technology enables tighter management, greater transparency, and clear economic benefits.

Reporter: What notable digital transformation projects has TPGroup implemented?

Expert Lại Thiên Phong: We deployed a digital terrain twin model for Vingroup to support data collection for the North–South high-speed railway project. Using traditional methods, this could take up to two years, but with our technology, it was completed in approximately three months—8 to 10 times faster. Costs were reduced by at least 30%, resulting in significant budget savings.

At the local level, we implemented a digital urban governance model in Giảng Võ Ward (Hanoi). The model has been highly evaluated by professional agencies and the Ministry of Science and Technology, demonstrating that ward-level authorities can effectively carry out digital transformation with the right platform and strong leadership.

Additionally, we have digitized facilities within the public security sector across multiple provinces. Notably, Thanh Hóa Police pioneered the development of a digital space for its traditional house, fully digitized in 3D to accurately recreate exhibition spaces. Key artifacts were also digitized with high precision, forming a long-term digital database for management, storage, and utilization.

Reporter: Could you share more about TPGroup’s core technology solutions?

Expert Lại Thiên Phong: Our digital twin platform has been granted an exclusive patent. It supports resource monitoring, urban management, flood and pollution alerts, and many other applications.

Importantly, the system can be integrated from the commune level to provincial and central levels, forming a multi-tier governance platform rather than solving isolated problems.

In addition, TPGroup is developing a high-precision satellite positioning ecosystem serving UAVs, logistics, smart agriculture, and autonomous vehicles technologies with strong potential to support national strategic development in the future.

Reporter: What determines the success of grassroots-level digital transformation?

Expert Lại Thiên Phong: The most critical factor is leadership.

In Giảng Võ Ward, success did not come from technology alone, but from leadership commitment. When leaders truly understand and decisively direct the process, the entire system operates synchronously.

Under the leadership of the Party Committee, the People’s Committee, and Ward Chairman Cồ Như Dũng, departments coordinated closely, enabling rapid and effective implementation of grassroots digital governance.

More importantly, digital transformation is linked to individual performance evaluation for each official, rather than being treated as a task solely for the IT department. This creates real implementation momentum.

In construction order management, inspections can shift from pre-checks to post-checks. Officials face less pressure while achieving higher management efficiency. This is a scalable model.

Reporter: What bottlenecks do businesses face in real-world digital transformation?

Expert Lại Thiên Phong: The biggest bottleneck today is that legal frameworks lag behind technology. Many effective solutions have been implemented but are not yet incorporated into national systems. I believe it is necessary to review and update standards especially in land, construction, and digital transformation while allowing flexible experimentation and continuous innovation.

Today’s technology can precisely measure, control resources, and reduce waste. This is a critical resource that must be tightly managed, especially considering the risks of foreign software potentially causing national data leakage.

Reporter: What is TPGroup’s direction moving forward?

Expert Lại Thiên Phong: Some of TPGroup’s products have been recognized as strategic technologies and honored with prestigious awards. This is both recognition and a great responsibility.

Our goal is to serve the nation. Businesses should not only provide solutions but also take on major national challenges from resource management and planning to building the digital economy foundation contributing to Vietnam’s fastest possible growth.

We believe that by working closely with localities, building firmly on data, and integrating governance, Vietnamese technology can create significant value and expand strongly into international markets.

By. Dr Nguyễn Thúy Lan

Vietnamese version: https://doanhnghiephoinhap.vn/chuyen-gia-lai-thien-phong-dia-phuong-hoa-chuyen-doi-so-chia-khoa-tang-truong-moi-cho-viet-nam-133220.html