The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has begun a large‑scale digital overhaul, turning paper archives into searchable files. Understanding this shift helps us see how technology can reshape religious governance in Vietnam.

According to the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), more than 40,000 monastic records have been digitized, covering about 60 % of the country’s monks and nuns. The digitization also includes over 10,000 temples, more than 11,000 certificates and over 20,000 ordination documents, and roughly 70 % of administrative documents are now electronic.

The VBS says it plans to integrate artificial intelligence into administration, religious education and community outreach, with the goal of simplifying procedures and reducing costs. These AI applications are expected to make services faster and more affordable for the Buddhist community.

Venerable Thich Nguyen Chinh proposed a digital governance model built on six pillars: digital institutions, digital data, digital administration, digital human resources, digital Dharma dissemination and information security. The VBS also warns that the transformation brings challenges such as workforce training, data security and the need to preserve Buddhist values.

If the Sangha can balance technology with tradition, its digital transformation could set a new standard for modern religious governance in Vietnam. The effort shows that even long‑standing institutions can use data and AI to improve efficiency while protecting their core principles.