National geospatial data: A digital infrastructure for modern, sustainable development

In the data era, maps are no longer just tools for navigation; they have become a core “digital infrastructure”, connecting all sectors of the economy and society, enabling national digital transformation and e-government, while ensuring national defense, security, and territorial sovereignty. The Department of Survey, Mapping and GeoInformation of Viet Nam (DOSMVN) is playing a central role in this process.

National geospatial database - a leap in digital transformation

In accordance with the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 40/QĐ-TTg, within only three years (2020 - 2022), the Department of Survey, Mapping and GeoInformation of Viet Nam (DOSMVN) completed the construction of the national geospatial database at scales from 1:25,000 to 1:1,000,000, covering the entire mainland and maritime territory of Vietnam. This marks the first time Vietnam has had a complete, modern, and unified national geospatial dataset, forming the foundation for numerous other national databases.

The project features the application of world-class technology from ESRI (U.S.). GIS system and drones from Switzerland and Russia, to LiDAR scanners and a network of 65 satellite positioning stations covering the country. These technologies have enabled the collection of high-precision data that meets the demands of multiple sectors such as population, construction, transportation, agriculture and energy.

Beyond technical development, the Department also prioritizes training and technology transfer. More than 3,000 trainees nationwide have been trained through the E-Learning platform to effectively use the national geospatial database. Licensed ArcGIS Desktop software has been provided to ministries, sectors, and localities to synchronize data systems from central to local levels.

To date, the national geospatial database has been delivered to all 63 provinces and cities, and integrated online with national systems on planning, environment, meteorology and hydrology. This system supports government decision-making, monitoring, and administration while ensuring unified, consistent, and complete representation of national sovereignty in the digital space.

From 2021 to the present, the Department has processed and resolved over 44,000 surveying and mapping data requests, more than 80% handled online, demonstrating the tangible effectiveness of digital transformation in geospatial services.

Border and administrative boundary management - asserting national digital sovereignty

Alongside digital transformation, the management of borders and administrative boundaries has been implemented under the Department’s Party Committee with a scientific, cautious and resolute approach.

On land borders with China, Laos, and Cambodia, the Department closely cooperates with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and local authorities to monitor, survey, and address complex terrain variations, particularly across 263 sensitive areas along the Vietnam-China boundary. When China constructed border control fences, the Department coordinated efforts to safeguard Vietnam’s legal rights and preserve the original demarcation lines.

A key milestone came in 2025, when the Government officially announced the Baseline in the Gulf of Tonkin, prepared by the Department, accompanied by maps submitted to the United Nations. This provided a firm legal basis to protect Vietnam’s sovereignty, jurisdictional rights, and marine economic interests.

In 2024, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment issued Circular No. 33/2024/TT-BTNMT on the List of Geographic Names for islands, rocks, and submerged Reefs, an important step to affirm Vietnam’s territorial integrity while supporting national planning, socio-economic development, and maritime security.

In administrative boundary management, the Department coordinated with the Ministry of Home Affairs to survey and resolve 16 inter-provincial boundary disputes left from historical issues, while completing a comprehensive map defining administrative boundaries at sea and on islands across 28 coastal provinces and cities from Quang Ninh to Kien Giang.

In early 2025, the Department undertook an enormous workload for the national administrative unit consolidation scheme. Staff worked day and night to ensure the timely completion of the National Assembly’s adoption of Resolution No. 202/2025/QH15. Immediately afterward, the Online Administrative Map of Vietnam was launched at vnsdi.mae.gov.vn, recording nearly 200 million visits, reflecting strong public demand for open data and the wide impact of this digital achievement.

Geospatial infrastructure - the foundation for the digital future

To further strengthen the role of geospatial infrastructure in national digital transformation, the Department of Survey, Mapping and GeoInformation of Viet Nam has proposed:

Improving mechanisms and policies to attract high-quality human resources in IT and geospatial technology, with position-based salaries linked to productivity and output quality.

Increasing investment in hardware, software, and data processing, storage, security, and sharing capacities to ensure accurate and timely information for e-government, the digital economy, and digital society.

In the data era, surveying and mapping are no longer just the “science of the earth and sky”, they have become the digital language of development. From precise coordinates, Vietnam is building a unified, sovereign, and sustainable digital space, where each map pixel contributes to a greener, more modern, and safer future for the nation.

To celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the Agriculture and Environment Sector and the 1st Patriotic Emulation Congress, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will hold a series of events from July to December 2025. The highlight will be the 80th Anniversary Ceremony and the 1st Patriotic Emulation Congress, scheduled for the morning of November 12, 2025, at the National Convention Center in Hanoi, with over 1,200 delegates in attendance. VAN News will broadcast the event live.