Vietnam’s government is planning a significant restructuring that will reduce the number of ministries and agencies while updating their names to reflect new roles and responsibilities.

The proposed changes include a streamlined structure of 14 ministries, 3 ministry-level agencies, and 5 government-affiliated entities.

Among the notable adjustments, the government intends to merge several ministries while retaining their original names. For instance, the Ministry of Finance will incorporate the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Similarly, the Ministry of Home Affairs will absorb the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs. The Ministry of Construction will be formed by combining the Ministry of Transport and the existing Ministry of Construction, while the Ministry of Science and Technology will integrate functions from the Ministry of Information and Communications.

Other adjustments include the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, which will take over press management responsibilities from the Ministry of Information and Communications.

Additionally, a new Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will be established by merging the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

A notable creation is the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, which will oversee both ethnic minority and religious matters, incorporating functions previously handled by the Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Some ministries and agencies will retain their names, including the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education and Training, and Ministry of Health.

Other ministry-level agencies, such as the Government Office, Government Inspectorate, and State Bank of Vietnam, will also remain unchanged.

The government’s plan underscores its commitment to reducing administrative overlap, improving efficiency, and ensuring that organizational structures align with functional responsibilities.

Thu Hang