VBSP successfully implements Digital Education Program - Go Digital ASEAN for the vulnerable groups in Vietnam

Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP) - Project “Mobile Banking Service - Financial Inclusion and Economic Empowerment for Low-Income Individuals and Women in Vietnam” (Mobile Banking Project phase II) funded by The Asia Foundation, is a part of the Financial Inclusion Strategy of VBSP in implementing financial education programs and consumption protection measures targeting Vietnamese low-income individuals and women.  

The VBSP has partnered with The Asia Foundation to implement the Digital Education Program for VBSP customers in 20 provincial and city branches, starting from July 25, 2023 and ending on July 31, 2024. The training program had 02 components: Basic  Training (Go Digital) and Advanced Training (Grow Digital). This is a free self-study program in the form of online training through lessons provided in video form. Accordingly, customers access the Digital Education menu of the Policy Credit Management Application of VBSP for self-studying. Training contents include:

Basic Training: 24 lessons on topics: (1) Basic knowledge on the Internet and mobile applications; (2) Online sales instructions; (3) Safe internet usage; (4) Digital financial services of VBSP. 

Advanced Training: 20 lessons on topics: (1) Understandings on Finance; (2) Business administration; (3) Online business and Cyber security; (4) Responsible business.   

All the lessons are logically arranged into topics, facilitating VBSP customers to learn at their choice anytime and everywhere.

 Deputy Chief Representative of The Asia Foundation Filip Graovac awarded certificates of merits to VBSP’ branches that achievied good results in the digital education program

As a result, there were 80.235 learners completing the Basic Training Program, reaching 123% of the Project’s target, while the Advanced Training Program was also wrapped up by 13.240 learners, reaching 110% of the Project’s target.    

The number of learners who have completed the Go Digital ASEAN program in Vietnam has accounted for one-third of among ASEAN participating countries. This was recognized by The Asia Foundation and awarded a certificate of merit at the closing ceremony of the project held in November 6, 2024. 

In terms of impact, the Digital Education Program has received positive responses from VBSP’s staff and customers, with a general assessment has been raised that the program is practical, accessible, and in consistent with majority of customers, actively contributing to implementing the policy of promoting digital transformation, local digital economy, and the general development trend of the country. Thus, helping customers gain more basic knowledge about online sale skills, as well as security and safety in cyberspace.

According to the end-of-project evaluation of The Asia Foundation, after completing the program, 32% of learners have expanded their business and 75% of learners have created new jobs.

“Thanks to online sales, I can reach more customers through ordering on online platforms, by phone or by word of mouth. Compared to before, sales revenue has increased due to more sales” - Mrs. Dinh Lien Nguyen Thao, Kien Giang

“I started selling online last year, mainly through Facebook instead of Zalo. My income from online sales has increased to VND 2 million per month compared to VND 500-600 thousand before” - Mrs. Luong Thi Gai, Kon Tum