The Ministry of Information and Communication will conduct the US$2.1-million project in the provinces of Thai Nguyen, Nghe An and Tra Vinh from now until July 2010 to assist rural residents to benefit from IT and telecommunication services, which are expected to reduce poverty and narrow the ‘digital gap’.

Specifically, the project will be carried out in 99 public telecommunication access sites such as communal post offices, people’s committee offices, and provincial, district and school libraries as well as hospitals. A total of 705 computers in these venues will have a broadband internet connection and there will be training courses in computer and internet skills for both local officials and citizens.

In addition, the project will disseminate information to help local people understand about the benefits and effectiveness of IT and the internet as well as the Party and State policies on such issues.