At the meeting, the Vietnamese Government leader emphasized that after six months of implementing the internal reorganization of the political system, ministries, sectors, and government-affiliated bodies have begun operating in a more stable and orderly manner, meeting assigned political tasks. However, he noted that some concerns remain about the apparatus still being cumbersome in certain areas.

Despite generally smooth and continuous operations over the past month, inspections and supervision have revealed ongoing difficulties related to land management, administrative procedures, schools, hospitals, and recruitment authority.

One particular issue highlighted was inadequate infrastructure, especially in information technology and digital transformation. Many localities continue to operate disparate software systems, making integration and connectivity difficult. Internet bandwidth remains limited in several areas. Moreover, many citizens are still unfamiliar with using online public service applications, and the digitization of data remains insufficient.

PM Chinh applauded the efforts of ministries, sectors, and localities, particularly the Ministry of Home Affairs for their contributions to what he described as a “revolution in restructuring the political system”. At the same time, he candidly acknowledged that the implementation process inevitably encountered certain difficulties and obstacles.

Upholding the principle of resolving issues as they arise, the Prime Minister called on leaders of ministries, sectors, and agencies to thoroughly discuss and assess the situation, identify challenges, and propose practical tasks and solutions to ensure the administrative system operates smoothly, continuously, efficiently, and effectively.

PM Chinh urged all ministries and sectors to review institutional and legal issues related to the operations of their respective agencies and local administrations.

He accentuated the need to assess whether the current organizational structures are appropriate, whether the decentralization of powers is rational and clearly defined, and what infrastructure or facilities must be supplemented or restructured to ensure the effective and seamless functioning of the two-tier local government model.

He also called for strengthened administrative discipline, more rigorous enforcement of public duties, and enhanced supervision through inspections and monitoring.

These measures, he said, would ensure that local governance remains cohesive, responsive, and consistent with the political and administrative reform goals set by the Party and Government.

Vietnam’s two-tier local government model to bring long-term benefits

Vietnam’s bold move to merge 63 centrally governed provinces and cities into 34 units and adopt a two-tier local government system will bring about medium-term benefits, according to Associate Professor Li Junkai from the Institute for Global South Studies under Tianjin University.