Context and Reform Requirements for Administrative Reform
Over the years, Vietnam’s administrative apparatus has played an essential role in managing and governing the nation. However, the rapid development of the economy and society, along with the pressures of international integration, requires a leaner, more efficient, and more flexible system. The 8th session of the 15th National Assembly on December 2, 2024, proposed studying the merger or dissolution of certain ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and general departments. This is an important part of implementing Resolution 18-NQ/TW on “Innovating and reorganizing the political system’s organizational structure.”
Specific Proposals from the Session
a) Merging ministries with overlapping functions
• Proposing to merge the Ministry of Planning and Investment with the Ministry of Finance to optimize the management of national financial and budgetary resources.
• Merging the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Construction to enhance coordination in managing large-scale infrastructure projects.
• Considering the dissolution or restructuring of some general departments under ministries, such as the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam or the Vietnam Maritime Administration, to reduce intermediate layers.
b) Reducing provincial and district-level units
The National Assembly also discussed expanding the pilot model of merging departments and agencies at the local level, as implemented in Quang Ninh and Lao Cai. Initial results showed that this model reduces management costs and improves operational coordination.
c) Reducing staff and streamlining the civil service
The government aims to cut 10% of public servants from 2021 to 2026. This requires evaluating the actual capacity of employees, retaining highly capable and responsible personnel.
Challenges and Solutions
a) Challenges
1. Legal: Inconsistent legal documents create difficulties in restructuring functions and tasks of ministries and agencies.
2. Social psychology: Mergers may cause concerns about job loss and reduced promotion opportunities among public servants.
3. Technical: Data management and IT infrastructure within ministries and agencies need to be integrated and optimized.
b) Solutions
1. Developing a specific roadmap: Mergers should be implemented in phases, allowing time for evaluation and adjustments.
2. Broad consultation: The government should organize workshops and gather input from experts and public servants to ensure feasibility and consensus.
3. Training and transition support: Retrain public servants and assist them in transitioning to new roles if their positions are eliminated.
Streamlining the administrative apparatus and merging agencies is essential and aligns with the trend of modernizing national governance. However, its implementation must be fair and transparent, avoiding “group interests” or inconsistencies in task assignments. Simultaneously, the government must prioritize improving public services to meet the growing demands of citizens.
Streamlining the administrative apparatus not only brings economic benefits but also enhances governance efficiency, transparency, and accountability. Implementing these proposals will help Vietnam move closer to a modern, efficient administration aligned with sustainable development goals in the context of globalization.
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