VietNamNet Bridge - In addition to the Minister of Health who has launched her public Facebook page, the vice chair of Nam Dinh Province and the deputy chairman of the National Committee for Traffic Safety are using their Facebook pages to receive public comments.

Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien's fanpage.

Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien became the first member of the government who publicly launched a fan page. Tien’s Facebook page was opened on February 28 and by noon on March 5, the page had over 120,000 likes and hundreds of public opinions.

According to the Office of the Health Ministry, the Minister made public her individual page for the purpose of updating new information in the medical field, and receiving comments from the public.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre Newspaper, Tien said she saw Facebook as a channel of useful information. She is willing to listen to suggestions from patients, and comments about policies and activities of the health sector.

Dr. Ha Anh Duc, Minister Tien’s Secretary, said the fanpage’s main objective is to introduce the health sector’s activities in order to provide information to the public. After receiving the feedback, suggestions from citizens, the Minister will consider and take appropriate measures.

Dr. Khuat Viet Hung, vice president of the National Commission for Traffic Safety, also uses Facebook as a channel for receiving and processing information in his field.

Readers say that Hung’s Facebook is open as he often posts practical information about traffic safety on the page. He said Facebook has helped him disseminate information about traffic safety. After receiving information from the people, he is willing to handle the problems.

Mr. Khuat Viet Hung's facebook.

Hung has also posted pictures of his family and business trips to help people understand the operation and life of the Vice Chairman of the National Traffic Safety Commission.

Previously, Mr. Bach Ngoc Chien, vice president of Nam Dinh province, shared information about his first 100 days on a new post on his Facebook. He also revealed his intentions for e-government and administrative reform.

Chien wrote: "My time on Facebook is not much, mostly in the late evening." His priority is advice on issues and help from friends.

He also made public his email bachchien-namdinh@chinhphu.vn to receive comments and suggestions from the people.

"I may not be able to answer all messages or emails, but I will read all and process based on my jurisdiction. The issues beyond my competence and ability would be transferred to the appropriate addresses," he said.

Praising this trend, Professor Nguyen Minh Thuyen, former Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Committee of Culture, Education, Youth and Children, said this is a door for politicians to be closer and to listen to the people.

The Prime Minister and social media

Mr. Bach Ngoc Chien's page.

PM Nguyen Tan Dung has asked that formal information be updated on social networks such as Facebook in the context of people’s increasing demands for information and news and the popularity of social media.

The PM made that statement at a conference held in Ha Noi on January 15 to review the Government Office’s performance in 2014 and launch tasks for 2015.

Millions of Vietnamese are using social networks, said the PM, adding that these sites or the Internet are regarded as better communication tools than conventional methods.

Proactively providing formal, updated and transparent information is an effective measure to reject in accurate information, he stressed.

Functional agencies should make full use of social networks and the Internet to effectively direct and monitor their activities, added PM Dung.

Compiled by Phuong Hang