Cloud computing is considered the new generation telecom infrastructure for the next 5 to 10 years. The issuance of the technical criteria and specifications for cloud computing solutions aims to encourage Vietnamese IT businesses to develop their own core technologies and avoid dependence on imported ones.

State agencies and organizations should rely on these guidelines in assessing and selecting solutions or leasing cloud computing services for the development of e-government. Private-sector entities are also encouraged to refer to these guidelines when setting up and deploying their own cloud computing platforms.

The Ministry of Information and Communications provides two options for deploying a cloud computing platform: self-deployment, administration, and operation; or leasing professional cloud computing services from other companies.

For the first option, state agencies and organizations must have an experienced, capable team to build, administrate, operate, maintain, and secure the platform. Without such a team, they should adopt the second option and lease professional cloud computing services. If they decide to lease services, the Ministry recommends that they select service providers who meet the technical criteria and specifications of the guidelines and are on the list of service providers approved by the Ministry. The service providers must comply with relevant cyber security laws and regulations and with the technical criteria and specifications stipulated in the Ministry’s guidelines. The Ministry’s guidelines are designed to help Vietnam develop a proprietary cloud computing platform that is competitive with the commercial cloud computing solutions currently available in Vietnam.