Independence-Freedom-Happiness

Decision by the Prime Minister
Approving the Master Plan "Applying and Developing Open Source Software
in Vietnam for the 2004-2008 period"

The Prime Minister

Based upon the Government Resolution numbered 07/2000/NQ-CP dated 5 June 2000 on the establishment and development of the software industry for 2000-2005;

Based upon the Prime Minister's Decision numbered 81/2001/QD-TTg dated 24 May 2001 on approval of the Action Plan to implement the Polit Bureau's 58-CT/TW Directive of 17 October 2000 to promote application and development of information technology for the modernization and industrialization of period 2001-2005;

In consideration of the proposal by the Minister of Science and Technology,

Decides

Article 1. Approval of the Master Plan "Applying and Developing open source software in Vietnam for the 2004-2008 period" as follows:

1. Objective:
1. Accelerating the application and development of open source software (OSS), enhancing copyrights protection and cutting costs of software purchase, promoting the development of Vietnam's information technology in general and software industry in particular.
2. Forming a base of competent technical experts who master advanced technology and leverage their creativity in OSS application and development.
3. Creating some typical IT products that respond particularly to domestic conditions and practical needs of OSS development.
2. Project fundamentals.
1. Major tasks:
• Establishing policies to promote application and development of open source software.

Establishing and enforcing mechanisms, policies to encourage OSS application and development in order to delegate the participation of training, education, and research organizations in OSS training and research; encourage overseas Vietnamese and foreign experts as well as international companies and institutions to invest in business development, technology transfer and training of OSS in Vietnam. Stipulating the use of OSS in the state sector.

• Promoting the use OSS applications.

Organizing pilot application of OSS, first in some ministries, organizations and local areas, later proliferating those applications nation wide. Utilizing OSS in some professional applications and national defense. Establishing and utilizing high productivity computer systems and OSS-based network calculating to find solutions to practical problems that require high calculation capacity of ministries, sectors, and localities throughout the country.

• Providing human resource training for OSS application and development.

Organizing the training of OSS teachers and professor for universities, colleges, vocational schools, as well as instructors for state officers and staff training. Establishing a competent base of experts capable of developing and implementing OSS applications in the ministries, sectors, and localities. Providing for the training of technical staffs to assist with the implementation and network support for OSS applications in ministries, sectors and localities; training and maintaining this support staff network. Establishing and developing training programs on OSS applications for state employees, students in universities, colleges, vocational schools, and high schools. Developing utility software and applications to be used in teaching and learning. Attract domestic and foreign individuals and organizations, overseas Vietnamese to participate in OSS training in Vietnam. Sending teachers, instructors, distinct students abroad for short-term and long-term OSS training.

• Developing core software, formulating OSS standards, establishing the training and qualification system for all levels of expertise.

Organizing suggestive researches and developing core software for Vietnam, selecting and localizing some foreign software to respond to the basic application demands of Vietnam. Establishing an OSS product quality testing and verification system that provides usage recommendations for the community. Researching and formulating OSS technical standards and skill standards, establishing a system for OSS skill testing and qualification. Encouraging the formation of OSS development organizations, businesses, science institutions, and educational establishments to provide OSS support services. Building the development center and research laboratory for OSS applications.

• Promoting international cooperation on OSS

Actively participating in regional and international OSS organizations and associations to promote cooperation and experience sharing among their members. Cooperating with foreign partners on OSS research and business development.

2. Sub projects:
• Formulating policy framework for OSS application and development: assigned to the Ministry of Post and Telecommunication
• Applying and training of OSS in the universities, colleges, and high schools: assigned to the Ministry of Education and Training.
• Applying and training of OSS in vocational schools: assigned to the Ministry of Labor, Invalid, and Social Affairs.
• Training of OSS applications for state employees, officers and staff: assigned to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
• Implementing pilot OSS application and development in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City: assigned to the People¡Çs Committee of these two cities.
• Piloting OSS application and development in national defense: assigned to the Ministry of National Defense.
• Piloting OSS application and development in public security: assigned to the Ministry of Public Security..
• Developing core software, OSS standards, and training qualification system for high-level experts: assigned to the Ministry of Science and Technology.
3. Solutions:
1. Improving social awareness on software copyright protection, advocating benefits of OSS applications in the development of information technology generally and the software industry particularly.
2. Strictly enforcing software copyright protection
3. Evaluating the implications of and solutions for a transition to OSS applications in the state sector, as well as the compatibility of these applications with commercial software. Organizing researches, testing, and proliferation of some OSS.
4. Installing OSS training in the education system and training centers
5. Developing and maintaining core OSS software for the community¡Çs benefits, formulating national OSS standards.
6. Developing OSS business models, especially in the area of professional OSS support services.
7. Funding for general OSS application and development, as well as for sub projects, is mobilized from various sources: businesses, individuals, international organizations, ODA, and state budget.

Article 2: Organization of implementation

1. 1. The Ministry of Science and Technology is responsible for coordinating with ministries, government agencies, provincial people¡Çs committees, and central cities to organize the project implementation.
2. 2. The Ministry of Planning and Investment is responsible for coordinating with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Science and Technology to balance and allocate the financial resources stipulated by the State annual plan to the Project, sub projects, and OSS application plans of ministries, government agencies, relevant provinces and central cities.
3. 3. The Ministry of Finance is responsible for coordinating with the Ministry of Post and Telecommunication, the Ministry of Science and Technology to formulate financial mechanisms and policies needed for the application and development of OSS.
4. 4. The Ministries of: Science and Technology, Education and Training, Labor-Invalid and Social Affairs, Internal Affairs, National Defense, Public Security, Post and Telecommunication, together with the People¡Çs Committee of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are assigned responsibilities of monitoring the development and implementation of sub projects according to current regulations.

   The implementation of the above sub projects must be in concert and ensure effective coordination with other IT programs and projects

5. 5. Ministries, government agencies, People¡Çs Committees of provinces and central cities are to develop plans for properly utilizing OSS in their professional activities, forming a base of technical staff competent in OSS.

Article 3: This Decision is enacted on the day of its signature.

Article 4: Ministers, Heads of State Agencies, Chairpersons of provinces and central cities¡Ç People¡Çs Committees are responsible for executing this Decision.

Signed on behalf of the Prime Minister
Deputy Prime Minister

Pham Gia Khiem