According to surveys made by the Ministry of Trade, Viet Nam has about 6.2 million Internet users; twice as many as we had in 2003. About 17,500 enterprises have websites and more than 10 trading websites are active.
Enterprises are aware of the positive role information technology, particularly e-commerce, can have in business. Some enterprises have been researching and using technologies such as digital signatures and e-certification. However, they are still confused as we do not yet have a legal framework for e-commerce.
Do you think the law on E-transaction necessary at the moment?
Yes, definitely. It has become more urgent since Viet Nam signed the e-ASEAN Framework, pledging to implement an e-Government compatible with other ASEAN countries between 2000-05. Since 2000, Viet Nam has implemented many projects to do this.
Yet to some extent, e-commerce and e-Government have existed in Viet Nam both as sentiment and as a reality. Many ministries, sectors, localities and enterprises have used e-commerce to modernise State administrative procedures and supply the public with online services.
However, we are facing urgent legislative problems. The Ministry of Finance has been waiting for a legal corridor to implement e-customs and online tax to modernise the treasury’s management system. Once we have a complete legal corridor, all e-transaction activities will help State administrative management and enterprises’ business.
In your opinion, is e-transaction safe?
Risk always occurs in all transactions in many ways.
Yet, I actually think e-transactions are safer than traditional transactions. When a transaction is done through the internet, we can trace all activities while in direct transactions, we can’t always do this. This is why many countries have considered e-commerce a good means for tax management.
The electronic signature is far safer than the signature by hand. We do not register signatures by hand, so receivers usually have no way to check the authenticity of written signatures. When we examine e-signatures, there are providers for this service who we can consult before we even begin to consult lawyers and policemen.
How will Viet Nam apply such a law in our socio-economic activities?
All countries have different legal systems, yet all wish to standardise transactions in their societies and wish to recognise the legal value of e-signatures and e-documents. This regulation will apply to all social activities including civil transactions, payment for labour, trade and all State activities. Sub-law documents will give detailed instructions for specific sectors.
The draft law will cover all issues such as recognising the legal value of e-transactions and e-contracts, while ensuring the safety of e-transactions. Other things are also being considered, including protecting on-line consumers, protecting on-line intellectual property rights and protecting digital signatures.
Quelle: Vietnam Economic Times, 02.06.2005
