Building an Effective E-Government: Insights from the Five-Stage Model and Implications for Vietnam

Uyen Thi To Doan; Anh Huy Nguyen; Duong Hoang Do; Linh Khanh To

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijls.20260901.17

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Building an Effective E-Government: Insights from the Five-Stage Model and Implications for Vietnam

Uyen Thi To Doan^*

, Anh Huy Nguyen, Duong Hoang Do, Linh Khanh To

Published in International Journal of Law and Society (Volume 9, Issue 1)

Received: 20 January 2026 Accepted: 30 January 2026 Published: 11 February 2026

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Abstract

Digital government constitutes a central pillar of Vietnam’s national digital transformation agenda, aimed at improving transparency, administrative efficiency, and citizen-centred public service delivery. However, the rapid expansion of digital services has not been accompanied by sufficiently robust analytical frameworks for assessing institutional maturity, particularly at the subnational level. This study seeks to evaluate the current maturity of digital government in Vietnam and to identify the legal and institutional constraints that impede the transition from conventional e-government toward an integrated, data-driven digital government model. To achieve these aims, the research adopts a qualitative and comparative approach. It applies the five-stage e-government development model as an analytical framework, combined with systematic analysis of legal instruments, policy documents, and secondary empirical sources. This integrated method enables an assessment of both functional implementation and underlying regulatory capacity. The findings indicate that Vietnam has largely completed the stages of information provision, interaction, and transaction. Nevertheless, progress toward integration remains uneven. Persistent challenges include fragmented data governance, limited interoperability among public agencies, inconsistent legal recognition of electronic records, and weak coordination mechanisms, issues that have been further accentuated by the transition to a two-tier local government system. The study concludes that advancement toward a mature digital government requires not only technological upgrades but also coherent legal reform. Specially, strengthening data governance frameworks, establishing enforceable interoperability standards, and introducing legal performance indicators are essential to ensuring accountability, sustainability, and effective policy implementation in the next phase of digital transformation.

Published in	International Journal of Law and Society (Volume 9, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijls.20260901.17
Page(s)	75-82
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Digital Government, Digital Transformation, Five-stage Model, Public Governance

References

[1]	Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam. Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on Breakthroughs in the Development of Science, Technology, Innovation, and National Digital Transformation, 2024.
[2]	The Prime Minister. Decision Approving Strategy for Development of e-Government towards Digital Government for 2021 - 2025 with Orientations towards 2030. No. 942/QD-TTg., 2021. Available from: https://vanban.chinhphu.vn/?pageid=27160&docid=203403 (accessed January 20, 2026).
[3]	Janssen, M., Matheus, R., Longo, J., & Weerakkody, V. Transparency-by-design as a foundation for open government. Transforming Government: people, process and policy (online), 2017, 11(1), 2-8. https://doi.org/10.1108/TG-02-2017-0015
[4]	National Assembly. Electronic Transactions Law, No. 20/2023/QH15. 2023 Available from: https://vanban.chinhphu.vn/?pageid=27160&docid=208421 (accessed January 20, 2026).
[5]	The Prime Minister. Decision Approving the National Data Strategy by 2030. Law No. 142/QD-TTg. 2024.
[6]	Layne, K., & Lee, J. Developing fully functional E-government: A four stage model. Government Information Quarterly, 2001. 18(2), 122-136. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0740-624x(01)00066-1
[7]	Mousavi, S. A. A., Pimenidis, E., & Jahankhani, H. Five stage development framework for electronic government. In Proceedings of the 10th European Conference on E-Government (ECEG2010). University of Limerick. 2010.
[8]	Alcaide-Muñoz, L., Rodríguez-Bolívar, M. P., Cobo, M. J., & Herrera-Viedma, E. Analysing the scientific evolution of e-Government using a science mapping approach. Government Information Quarterly, 2017. 34(3), 545-555. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2017.05.002
[9]	E-Government Development Index (EGDI). (n. d.). Available from: https://publicadministration.un.org/egovkb/en-us/About/Overview/-E-Government-Development-Index (accessed January 20, 2026).
[10]	The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (OECD). (2025). Government at a Glance 2025.
[11]	National Assembly. (2016). Law access to information. Law No.: 104/2016/QH13. Available from: https://thuvienphapluat.vn/van-ban/Bo-may-hanh-chinh/Law-104-2016-QH13-access-to-information-312408.aspx (accessed January 20, 2026).
[12]	Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (OECD). (2014). Recommendation of the Council on Digital Government Strategies. OECD Publishing. Available from: https://legalinstruments.oecd.org/en/instruments/OECD-LEGAL-0406 (accessed January 20, 2026).
[13]	Meijer, A., Lorenz, L., & Wessels, M. (2021). Algorithmization of Bureaucratic Organizations: Using a practice lens to study how context shapes predictive policing systems. Public Administration Review, 81(5), 837-846. https://doi.org/10.1111/puar.13391

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APA Style

Doan, U. T. T., Nguyen, A. H., Do, D. H., To, L. K. (2026). Building an Effective E-Government: Insights from the Five-Stage Model and Implications for Vietnam. International Journal of Law and Society, 9(1), 75-82. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20260901.17

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ACS Style

Doan, U. T. T.; Nguyen, A. H.; Do, D. H.; To, L. K. Building an Effective E-Government: Insights from the Five-Stage Model and Implications for Vietnam. Int. J. Law Soc. 2026, 9(1), 75-82. doi: 10.11648/j.ijls.20260901.17

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AMA Style

Doan UTT, Nguyen AH, Do DH, To LK. Building an Effective E-Government: Insights from the Five-Stage Model and Implications for Vietnam. Int J Law Soc. 2026;9(1):75-82. doi: 10.11648/j.ijls.20260901.17

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@article{10.11648/j.ijls.20260901.17,
  author = {Uyen Thi To Doan and Anh Huy Nguyen and Duong Hoang Do and Linh Khanh To},
  title = {Building an Effective E-Government: Insights from the Five-Stage Model and Implications for Vietnam},
  journal = {International Journal of Law and Society},
  volume = {9},
  number = {1},
  pages = {75-82},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijls.20260901.17},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20260901.17},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijls.20260901.17},
  abstract = {Digital government constitutes a central pillar of Vietnam’s national digital transformation agenda, aimed at improving transparency, administrative efficiency, and citizen-centred public service delivery. However, the rapid expansion of digital services has not been accompanied by sufficiently robust analytical frameworks for assessing institutional maturity, particularly at the subnational level. This study seeks to evaluate the current maturity of digital government in Vietnam and to identify the legal and institutional constraints that impede the transition from conventional e-government toward an integrated, data-driven digital government model. To achieve these aims, the research adopts a qualitative and comparative approach. It applies the five-stage e-government development model as an analytical framework, combined with systematic analysis of legal instruments, policy documents, and secondary empirical sources. This integrated method enables an assessment of both functional implementation and underlying regulatory capacity. The findings indicate that Vietnam has largely completed the stages of information provision, interaction, and transaction. Nevertheless, progress toward integration remains uneven. Persistent challenges include fragmented data governance, limited interoperability among public agencies, inconsistent legal recognition of electronic records, and weak coordination mechanisms, issues that have been further accentuated by the transition to a two-tier local government system. The study concludes that advancement toward a mature digital government requires not only technological upgrades but also coherent legal reform. Specially, strengthening data governance frameworks, establishing enforceable interoperability standards, and introducing legal performance indicators are essential to ensuring accountability, sustainability, and effective policy implementation in the next phase of digital transformation.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Building an Effective E-Government: Insights from the Five-Stage Model and Implications for Vietnam
AU  - Uyen Thi To Doan
AU  - Anh Huy Nguyen
AU  - Duong Hoang Do
AU  - Linh Khanh To
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DO  - 10.11648/j.ijls.20260901.17
T2  - International Journal of Law and Society
JF  - International Journal of Law and Society
JO  - International Journal of Law and Society
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PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-1908
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20260901.17
AB  - Digital government constitutes a central pillar of Vietnam’s national digital transformation agenda, aimed at improving transparency, administrative efficiency, and citizen-centred public service delivery. However, the rapid expansion of digital services has not been accompanied by sufficiently robust analytical frameworks for assessing institutional maturity, particularly at the subnational level. This study seeks to evaluate the current maturity of digital government in Vietnam and to identify the legal and institutional constraints that impede the transition from conventional e-government toward an integrated, data-driven digital government model. To achieve these aims, the research adopts a qualitative and comparative approach. It applies the five-stage e-government development model as an analytical framework, combined with systematic analysis of legal instruments, policy documents, and secondary empirical sources. This integrated method enables an assessment of both functional implementation and underlying regulatory capacity. The findings indicate that Vietnam has largely completed the stages of information provision, interaction, and transaction. Nevertheless, progress toward integration remains uneven. Persistent challenges include fragmented data governance, limited interoperability among public agencies, inconsistent legal recognition of electronic records, and weak coordination mechanisms, issues that have been further accentuated by the transition to a two-tier local government system. The study concludes that advancement toward a mature digital government requires not only technological upgrades but also coherent legal reform. Specially, strengthening data governance frameworks, establishing enforceable interoperability standards, and introducing legal performance indicators are essential to ensuring accountability, sustainability, and effective policy implementation in the next phase of digital transformation.
VL  - 9
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Author Information

Uyen Thi To Doan

Hanoi Law of University, Faculty of Administrative and Constitutional Law, Hanoi, Vietnam

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http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2094-2711
Anh Huy Nguyen

Hanoi Law of University, Hanoi, Vietnam

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Duong Hoang Do

Hanoi Law of University, Hanoi, Vietnam

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Linh Khanh To

Hanoi Law of University, Hanoi, Vietnam

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APA Style

Doan, U. T. T., Nguyen, A. H., Do, D. H., To, L. K. (2026). Building an Effective E-Government: Insights from the Five-Stage Model and Implications for Vietnam. International Journal of Law and Society, 9(1), 75-82. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20260901.17

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ACS Style

Doan, U. T. T.; Nguyen, A. H.; Do, D. H.; To, L. K. Building an Effective E-Government: Insights from the Five-Stage Model and Implications for Vietnam. Int. J. Law Soc. 2026, 9(1), 75-82. doi: 10.11648/j.ijls.20260901.17

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AMA Style

Doan UTT, Nguyen AH, Do DH, To LK. Building an Effective E-Government: Insights from the Five-Stage Model and Implications for Vietnam. Int J Law Soc. 2026;9(1):75-82. doi: 10.11648/j.ijls.20260901.17

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@article{10.11648/j.ijls.20260901.17,
  author = {Uyen Thi To Doan and Anh Huy Nguyen and Duong Hoang Do and Linh Khanh To},
  title = {Building an Effective E-Government: Insights from the Five-Stage Model and Implications for Vietnam},
  journal = {International Journal of Law and Society},
  volume = {9},
  number = {1},
  pages = {75-82},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijls.20260901.17},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20260901.17},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijls.20260901.17},
  abstract = {Digital government constitutes a central pillar of Vietnam’s national digital transformation agenda, aimed at improving transparency, administrative efficiency, and citizen-centred public service delivery. However, the rapid expansion of digital services has not been accompanied by sufficiently robust analytical frameworks for assessing institutional maturity, particularly at the subnational level. This study seeks to evaluate the current maturity of digital government in Vietnam and to identify the legal and institutional constraints that impede the transition from conventional e-government toward an integrated, data-driven digital government model. To achieve these aims, the research adopts a qualitative and comparative approach. It applies the five-stage e-government development model as an analytical framework, combined with systematic analysis of legal instruments, policy documents, and secondary empirical sources. This integrated method enables an assessment of both functional implementation and underlying regulatory capacity. The findings indicate that Vietnam has largely completed the stages of information provision, interaction, and transaction. Nevertheless, progress toward integration remains uneven. Persistent challenges include fragmented data governance, limited interoperability among public agencies, inconsistent legal recognition of electronic records, and weak coordination mechanisms, issues that have been further accentuated by the transition to a two-tier local government system. The study concludes that advancement toward a mature digital government requires not only technological upgrades but also coherent legal reform. Specially, strengthening data governance frameworks, establishing enforceable interoperability standards, and introducing legal performance indicators are essential to ensuring accountability, sustainability, and effective policy implementation in the next phase of digital transformation.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Building an Effective E-Government: Insights from the Five-Stage Model and Implications for Vietnam
AU  - Uyen Thi To Doan
AU  - Anh Huy Nguyen
AU  - Duong Hoang Do
AU  - Linh Khanh To
Y1  - 2026/02/11
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20260901.17
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijls.20260901.17
T2  - International Journal of Law and Society
JF  - International Journal of Law and Society
JO  - International Journal of Law and Society
SP  - 75
EP  - 82
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-1908
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20260901.17
AB  - Digital government constitutes a central pillar of Vietnam’s national digital transformation agenda, aimed at improving transparency, administrative efficiency, and citizen-centred public service delivery. However, the rapid expansion of digital services has not been accompanied by sufficiently robust analytical frameworks for assessing institutional maturity, particularly at the subnational level. This study seeks to evaluate the current maturity of digital government in Vietnam and to identify the legal and institutional constraints that impede the transition from conventional e-government toward an integrated, data-driven digital government model. To achieve these aims, the research adopts a qualitative and comparative approach. It applies the five-stage e-government development model as an analytical framework, combined with systematic analysis of legal instruments, policy documents, and secondary empirical sources. This integrated method enables an assessment of both functional implementation and underlying regulatory capacity. The findings indicate that Vietnam has largely completed the stages of information provision, interaction, and transaction. Nevertheless, progress toward integration remains uneven. Persistent challenges include fragmented data governance, limited interoperability among public agencies, inconsistent legal recognition of electronic records, and weak coordination mechanisms, issues that have been further accentuated by the transition to a two-tier local government system. The study concludes that advancement toward a mature digital government requires not only technological upgrades but also coherent legal reform. Specially, strengthening data governance frameworks, establishing enforceable interoperability standards, and introducing legal performance indicators are essential to ensuring accountability, sustainability, and effective policy implementation in the next phase of digital transformation.
VL  - 9
IS  - 1
ER  -

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