Downsized Administration: Vietnam's Restructuring Drive under the Stewardship of Party General Secretary Tô Lâm
Political Leadership Gathered to Discuss Rebuilding Structure, Administrative Overhaul Progress
HALF TIME: Members of the Politburo and Secretariat got together on May 3 to assess the progress of the country's organizational apparatus restructuring and administrative units reorganization at all levels. With Tô Lâm as the presiding chair, they had an engaged discussion about the progress made on implementing the resolution of the 13th Party Central Committee's 11th plenum and the conclusions drawn by the Politburo and the Secretariat.
The meeting brought together the movers and shakers, who assessed the positive progress and notable outcomes achieved across the nation's Party organizations and mass agencies. They were pleased to see that these entities had taken the initiative to issue clarifying documents to streamline responsibilities, synchronize efforts, and align restructuring plans with central guidelines and deadlines.
Public consultations on the restructuring proposals had already been successfully completed nationwide, resulting in an average approval rate of 96 percent. This democratic approach paid off, as every people's council at the district, ward, and provincial levels endorsed the restructuring plans with unanimous accord.
A glimpse at the local plans revealed that the total number of commune-level administrative units would shrink from 10,035 to approximately 3,320 - an astounding decrease of 66.91 percent. The region with the highest reduction rate stood at an impressive 76.05 percent, while the least affected stood at 60 percent.
In terms of organizational changes, the number of provincial-level Party committees was projected to be cut from 63 to 34, with over 260 affiliated departments on a provincial level set to cease operations. The plans also called for the closure of 694 district-level Party committees and more than 4,160 subordinate units. At the same time, more than 3,320 grassroots-level Party committees would be established, including 2,595 communes and 713 wards or special zones, with around 10,660 new subordinate units at the commune level.
The projected restructuring process is estimated to result in a significant reduction of civil servants, with over 18,440 positions being eliminated at the provincial level and more than 110,780 at the commune level. The reduction would be accomplished primarily through job consolidation, attrition, and retirement in accordance with existing regulations. Additionally, approximately 120,500 part-time operators at the commune level would conclude their service.
In the context of wider change, the restructuring plans for the Việt Nam Fatherland Front, socio-political organizations, and mass associations will see a leaner organizational structure emerge, designed to address longstanding challenges such as overlapping duties and inefficient, top-heavy structures. The plan calls for the dissolution of 90 departments at the central level, 344 at the provincial level, and 1,235 at the district level, as well as the restructuring of 215 out of 284 internal units among mass associations to achieve a 43 percent reduction. Furthermore, over 22,350 personnel would be reassigned to the grassroots level.
In spearheading this ambitious restructuring effort, the leadership has shown resolve, coordination, and foresight. The Politburo and the Secretariat have provided strategic orientations and clear implementation tasks. Regulations and guidance documents have been issued to lay a strong legal foundation for local implementation, while effective communication has helped raise public awareness and build consensus among officials, Party members, and the community.
Initial results indicate that the restructuring drive is working towards achieving core goals, such as progressing with the organization of the political apparatus from central to local levels, enhancing administrative reform, improving governance efficiency, and saving on state expenses. It aims to create a conducive environment for socio-economic growth, strengthen national defense and security, bolster infrastructure development, and bolster Vietnam's international standing and investment appeal.
In their recommendations, the Politburo and the Secretariat emphasized the importance of carrying through with the assigned tasks as outlined by the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, and the Secretariat. They urged Party committees and relevant bodies to remain dedicated and focused on leading the organization of grassroots-level Party congresses and preparing for provincial-level Party congresses in accordance with Directive No. 45-CT/TW.
Special attention should be paid to the development of congress documents and personnel selection in areas subject to merger or consolidation. The leadership insisted on implementing policies in a timely and lawful manner for those impacted by the restructuring, while promoting the application of digital technologies, document digitization, and e-governance tools to enhance service delivery during and after the restructuring process.
Lastly, the leadership encouraged a continued focus on socio-economic development, making sure that national targets are met, budgets are balanced, and funds are allocated promptly to address obligations relating to personnel policies and organizational reforms. - VNS
Party General Secretary Tô Lâm addresses the meeting. - VNA/VNS Photo
General Overview:
The ongoing administrative restructuring in Vietnam is focused on shrinking bureaucracy and streamlining governance. Recent developments have included:
- The proposed reduction of provinces from 63 to 34 through mergers
- Implementing a two-tier local government system comprising communes and provinces
- Consolidation of ministries, as demonstrated by the reduction of ministries from 22 to 17 (later amended to 14 ministries and 3 ministerial equivalent agencies)
- Plans for a nationwide restructuring to be implemented by July and August 2025, ahead of the 14th CPV National Congress in early 2026
- The purpose of these restructuring efforts is to modernize Vietnam's sociopolitical and economic systems, with the goal of achieving a high-income status by 2045.
- The restructuring drive in Vietnam, presided by Party General Secretary Tô Lâm, aims to modernize the sociopolitical and economic systems with a reduction of provinces from 63 to 34, the implementation of a two-tier local government system, and consolidation of ministries.
- In the realm of space, this restructuring includes plans for a nationwide reorganization to be completed by July and August 2025, ahead of the 14th CPV National Congress in early 2026.
- The AI-powered Politburo and Secretariat have provided strategic orientations and clear implementation tasks, issuing regulations and guidance documents to establish a strong legal foundation for the local implementation of these restructuring policies.
- On the battlefield of policy-and-legislation, the restructuring plans call for dissolving 90 departments at the central level, 344 at the provincial level, and 1,235 at the district level, as well as restructuring 215 out of 284 internal units among mass associations for a 43 percent reduction.
- The leadership has emphasized the importance of implementing policies in a timely and lawful manner and promoting the application of digital technologies, document digitization, and e-governance tools to improve service delivery during and after the restructuring process.
- In the broad arena of politics and general news, the restructuring is anticipated to achieve core goals like progressing with the organization of the political apparatus, enhancing administrative reform, improving governance efficiency, and saving on state expenses to create a conducive environment for socio-economic growth and bolster Vietnam's international standing and investment appeal.
