Schools, hospitals go cashless by December: Deputy PM

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has set the deadline for all schools and hospitals in urban areas go cashless in the next three months.
All schools and hospitals in urban areas will go cashless in the next three months. (Photo: VNA)

All schools and hospitals in urban areas will go cashless in the next three months. (Photo: VNA)

The Government Office has released a document in which Dam ordered the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labour-Invalids and Social Affairs along with the municipal People’s Committees of 52 provinces and cities to step up efforts to digitise financial transactions in the education and health sectors.

They were told to offer guidance to schools of all levels and hospitals in urban areas to fully collaborate with banks and payment intermediary providers by December.  

Schools and hospitals must publicise their bank accounts and install card readers, scanners for QR (Quick Response) codes and mobile applications to make payments more convenient. All preparations must be finished by this December.

The Deputy PM also asked banks and payment providers to consider a discount of service fees to cashless transactions in health, education and public service.

Vietnam was vigorously pushing for non-cash payment, making it a priority to improve the business environment and raise national competitiveness.

Reports by the Ministry of Planning and Investment show that total transactions via the banks’ e-payment system grew 23 percent in number and over 17 percent in value in the first five months of 2019 over the same period last year. 

Mobile payment witnessed an impressive year-on-year surge of 97 percent and 232 percent in number and value in the reviewed period.

VNS/VNA

Other News

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

The International Day of Older Persons 2026, themed “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives,” highlights the need to develop healthcare, social security, labour-market and social-service systems in response to increasing life expectancy. For Vietnam, rapid population ageing is not only a demographic issue but also a development challenge.

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Both sides agreed to keep educating officials, Party members, youth union groups and the broader public, especially young people in both provinces, on the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Vietnam and Laos.

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

The captain discovered water entering ballast tanks No. 4, 5 and 6 on the port side, causing the vessel to list slightly. Initial assessments indicated that the vessel may have struck an underwater rock formation while underway.

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright is entering an entirely new phase. As AI becomes increasingly capable of generating text, summarising books, mimicking writing styles and producing content at enormous speed, ensuring copyright protection is becoming more difficult.

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Prolonged heavy rains from September 13–17 have caused flooding and landslides, damaging homes, crops, roads and infrastructure in Phu Tho and Thanh Hoa provinces, with local authorities mobilising forces for emergency response.

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh city's Public Security Department warned individuals, agencies and businesses not to publicly disclose or provide personal information or bank account details on social media, and urged organisations and businesses to strictly comply with regulations on protecting customers’ personal data.

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

The continued recovery of martyrs’ remains provides valuable information and further evidence of those who fought and sacrificed their lives for national independence and freedom. It also encourages search teams to persist in locating fallen soldiers still lying on former battlefields, contributing to the effective implementation of the 500-day campaign and reflecting Vietnam’s long-standing tradition of gratitude.

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam will launch nationwide screening for five groups of school-related diseases and health conditions among students from preschool through high school from 2028, including overweight and obesity, refractive errors, spinal curvature, oral diseases and mental health disorders.