📝OP-ED: Vietnam’s two-tier governance model gains traction amid digital push
Nearly three weeks into its launch, Vietnam's new two-tier local governance model is enhancing public administration, with Hanoi, for example, seeing streamlined structures, reduced redundancies, and more direct engagement between local authorities and residents.
At a public administrative service centre in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) 🐼- Nearly three weeks into its nationwide debut, Vietnam’s new two-tier local governance model is reshaping public administration, with localities coordinating to ensure a smooth transition while boosting efficiency for citizens and businesses.
In the capital city of Hanoi, the model is already delivering measurable gains. Administrative structures across 126 wards and communes have been streamlined, cutting redundancies and clarifying roles. Local authorities are adopting a more hands-on approach, engaging directly with residents and showing greater flexibility in governance.
The changes are resonating with the public. Administrative tasks are now quicker and more user-friendly, reducing time and hassle. Digital tools have enabled faster settlement of grassroots issues.
Nguyen Van Tinh, a resident of Kim Lien ward, previously part of Dong Da district, lauded the shift. “Before, I was stuck submitting paper documents and waiting in person,” he said. “Now, I file online, track progress, and get results through the internet or a one-stop office."
According to Chairman of the Vinh Tuy ward People's Committee Vu Van Hoat, the model has tightened oversight and policy execution. Decisions are now more unified, with less fragmentation across layers.
The municipal Department of Information and Communications noted that the model enhances data management and analysis, ultimately enabling more informed policy decisions. The integration of data between ward and city-level platforms also boosts transparency and reduces errors.
Down in the Mekong Delta, the model is seen as fundamentally sound, with operations steadily improving and stabilising.
PM Pham Minh Chinh visits the public administrative service centre in Can Tho city (Photo: VNA)
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, during a recent visit to the Ninh Kieu ward’s public administrative service centre in Can Tho city, urged a service-first approach. He pushed for stronger data integration, broader digital literacy outreach, especially for the elderly or those less familiar with technology, and flexible hours for civil servants to accommodate residents’ schedules.
Despite progress, challenges persist. In the northern province of Bac Ninh, the newly formed Bac Giang ward, created by merging seven former wards, serves a population of nearly 123,000. Since July 1, its administrative centre has been swamped, processing 500-700 daily visits.
To ease the pressure, authorities have expanded infrastructure, upgraded equipment, and brought in extra staff, including youth union volunteers to assist with online procedures and digital ID registration.
The Bac Ninh provincial public administrative service centre (Photo: VNA)
Luong Van Huy, Deputy Director of the ward's service centre, said systems are functional but hampered by occasional network lags and incomplete digital services. “We’re managing by accepting paper applications and assisting with online uploads. But we need urgent software upgrades and faster connectivity”, he stressed.
Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Vuong Quoc Tuan reaffirmed Bac Ninh’s focus on bolstering administrative centres and holding officials accountable for service quality. He called for dedicated IT staff, regular infrastructure reviews, and uninterrupted service delivery.
Acknowledging these challenges, PM Chinh recently issued a dispatch outlining fixes for administrative and digital transformation hurdles. It flags four key issues, including weak technical infrastructure, glitchy or poorly integrated IT systems, inadequate legal frameworks and staffing, and limited public outreach.
Ministries, agencies and chairpersons of the people’s committees of cities and provinces must complete key upgrades by August 2025. Priorities include 24/7 IT system uptime, software fixes, new digital seals, synced civil registries, streamlined workflows, better commune-level staffing, expanded broadband coverage, stable electricity supply, digital literacy campaigns, and AI-powered service tools.
On July 18, the Government issued a resolution to address regulatory hurdles in zoning and urban planning tied to the restructuring, doubling down on the reform push.
The Party Central Committee’s 12th plenum just wrapped up, reporting that the model’s rollout across 34 cities and provinces, covering 3,321 communes and wards, went off without a hitch. Administrative processes are smoother, service delivery is faster, and public feedback shows strong support and optimism
Next up, the Party Central Committee plans to refine inter-agency workflows, update assignment protocols, ramp up training, particularly at the commune level, and increase regular oversight and evaluation.
Vietnam’s local governance reform is entering a new phase marked by greater structure, coordination, and focus on results. The two-tier model represents a bold step toward modernising public administration, cutting intermediaries, reducing overlaps, and bringing the State closer to its people.
Beyond administrative reform, the overhaul sets a strong socio-political foundation for Vietnam’s next chapter, building a unified, people-centred system poised to drive progress./.
Anh expressed his support for this policy, asserting that it is a necessary reform for Vietnam to capitalise on domestic and international opportunities for growth. Vietnam's “Doi Moi” (renewal) policy over the past four decades needs updates in a rapidly changing world with geopolitical instabilities, climate change, and advancements in artificial intelligence (AI).
The effective execution of Vietnam’s reforms could not only consolidate its current economic growth trajectory but also serve as a potential governance model for other low- and middle-income countries, and play an important role in the collective development of developing countries, said a Chinese scholar.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a conference on July 13 focused on the operation of the two-tier local government model, the progress of key transport infrastructure projects, and the implementation of the Mekong Delta's sustainable one-million-hectare low-emission and high-quality rice cultivation plan.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
