Management and Utilisation of Digital Data in Vietnam's Natural Resources and Environment Sector: Current Status, Challenges and Solutions

Abstract

Amid Vietnam's accelerated national digital transformation, digital data play an increasingly pivotal role in managing natural resources, protecting the environment, and promoting sustainable development. This study analyses the current state of digital data systems in Vietnam's Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) sector, identifying key challenges and proposing solutions for more effective data governance. Employing a qualitative approach combined with policy document analysis, the study reveals that the NRE data system remains fragmented, lacks interoperability, standardised technical frameworks, and underutilises its potential for societal benefits. Institutional, technical, and organisational barriers—including bureaucratic data-sharing processes, limited digital capacity among personnel, and inconsistent technological infrastructure—hinder the application of data in environmental monitoring, spatial planning, and evidence-based decision-making. Based on these findings, the study recommends developing a national NRE data strategy, reforming open data policies, enhancing digital workforce capacity, investing in integrated infrastructure, and promoting mechanisms for data utilisation to serve communities and businesses. These proposals aim to establish an efficient, transparent NRE data ecosystem that robustly supports Vietnam's sustainable development goals.