Vietnam to cut at least one-fifth of public workforce in major overhaul
The Vietnamese Government plans to reduce the civil service workforce by at least 20% as part of an ongoing administrative reform initiative aimed at streamlining the state apparatus while maintaining the quality of services.
The civil service workforce will be cut by at least 20%. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnamese Government plans to reduce the civil service workforce by at least 20% as part of an ongoing administrative reform initiative aimed at streamlining the state appara𒉰tus while maintaining the quality of services.
Under her recently-issued document, Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra, a member of the Government’s steering committee on reviewing the implementation of the 12th Party Central Committee's Resolution No.18-NQ/TW, which seeks to streamline the political system for greater efficiency, stated that the Government issued Decree No.178/2024/ND-CP on December 31, outlining policies and regimes for officials, civil servants, public employees, and military personnel involved in the restructuring of the state apparatus.
To ensure the successful implementation of these reforms, the Government's steering committee called for comprehensive political education and awareness campaigns. These efforts will help public servants, especially those directly affected, understand the broader benefits of the restructuring. It also stresses the need to prioritise collective interests over personal considerations and to recognise and reward individuals and organisations that make significant contributions to the reorganisation process.
The decree also urged the urgent development and issuance of specific criteria tailored to the characteristics and circumstances of each ministry, agency, sector, and locality. Additionally, responsibility for workforce assessments and layoff decisions will lie with Party organisations, administrative bodies, and the heads of organizations that directly manage civil servants.
Effective January 1, Decree No.178 introduces eight key policy areas, including early retirement incentives, leadership transition policies, grassroots work adjustments, talent retention programs, training initiatives for remaining staff, and provisions for military and security personnel./.
The Politburo and Secretariat held a conference on December 30 to announce the organisational reforms in 13 Party agencies and central socio-political organisations.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has estimated that about 130 trillion VND (5.1 billion USD) is required to implement policies and benefits for officials, civil servants, public employees, and workers as part of the scheme to streamline the political system’s organisational apparatus.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the fourth meeting of the steering committee for reviewing and organising the settlement of bottlenecks in the legal system in Hanoi on December 29.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
