VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam plans to spend trillions of dong to run a computer subsidization project, a part of the “computers network knowledge" program. However, arguments have been raised about the way of implementing the program.

The program initiated by the Ministry of Information and Communication aims to help the people, who still don’t have the chance to use computers and connect via Internet, access the information society and improve their lives.

In principle, students, teachers and households in rural and difficult areas would be given financial support to buy computers and pay service fee.

Under the program, each beneficiary would be propped up VND1 million when buying a computer, which is equal to 15-20 percent of the computer’s value. Meanwhile, the people in remote areas would receive the prop up of VND1.5 million.

Individuals would be able to borrow money for 3 years to buy computers at the interest rate of zero percent.

It’s still unclear if the subsidization would be applied to tablets, i.e. it’s unclear if tablet buyers can enjoy the preferences.

Dr. Quach Tuan Ngoc, Director of the Information Technology Agency under the Ministry of Education and Training said he does not advocate the idea of subsidizing tablets.

Ngoc said that the small size of tablets would harm students’ eyes, while the virtual keyboard of tablets could be convenient for surfing on websites, while they would not help do exercises.

Agreeing with Ngoc, Deputy Chair of the Vietnam Informatics Association Le Hong Ha, said tablets should be used to serve the demand for entertaining or searching information, while they are not suitable to studying or working.

According to Ha, tablet users still can open Word, Excel or Power Point files, but they would meet a lot of troubles when trying to editing or changing the contents of the files without the support of associated devices such as keyboards or mouse.

It is also difficult to run application programs on tablets. Ha said he himself prefers working on personal computer, while tablets have been used to entertain himself.

However, the suggestion that tablets should not be the subject of the subsidization program may face the opposition from the tablet manufacturers and distributors.

Le Trung Nghia, an IT expert, also said that every mobile device has its features and special characteristics. Therefore, he believes that it would be better to let people choose the devices suitable to them.

He stressed that it is now a growing tendency in the world to use mobile devices, which allows accessing the internet anytime and anywhere. Therefore, it is unreasonable to tell people not to use tablets just because of the small size.

The Ministry of Information and Communication has noted that there has been a tendency in the world of using tablets instead of personal computers, because it is much easier to use tablets than PC. Even farmers can learn how to use tablets more quickly than PC.

An official of the ministry affirmed that no need to worry about the difficulties when dealing with tablets, saying that the tablets of the latest generations all have been equipped with associated keyboards to make it more convenient to use.

No official decision has been made so far. The watchdog agency said if tablet is also subject to the subsidization program, the ministry would stipulate that tablets must have the minimum screen size of 10-12 inches.

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