The Politburo and Secretariat have reached a high consensus on plans to streamline Vietnam's political system, with proposals set to be presented at the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam meeting scheduled for January 23–24, 2025.

At the second conference of the 10th term Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front on January 20, Do Van Chien, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, shared updates on the implementation of Resolution 18, aimed at reorganizing and downsizing the political system for improved efficiency and effectiveness.

Major structural changes proposed

The proposed reforms include changes to key Party and state bodies:

Party Committees:

Dissolution of the Central Committee for External Relations, with responsibilities transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Central Party Committee.

Merger of the Central Propaganda and Education Committee with the Central Mass Mobilization Committee to form the Central Committee for Propaganda and Mass Mobilization.

Renaming the Central Economic Committee as the Strategic Policy Research Committee.

National Assembly:

Dissolution of the Committee for Foreign Affairs, with responsibilities integrated into the Committee for Defense, Security, and Foreign Affairs.

Establishment of the State Protocol Department to manage external relations of Party and state leaders.

Merging of existing committees:

Economic Committee with the Finance and Budget Committee.

Social Affairs Committee with the Culture and Education Committee.

Law Committee with the Judicial Committee.

Creation of two new committees under the National Assembly: the Committee on Deputies’ Affairs and the Committee on Petitions and Oversight.

Dissolution of the Legislative Research Institute and the Vietnam National Assembly Television.

Government:

Merging of ministries:

Ministry of Planning and Investment with the Ministry of Finance (retaining the name Ministry of Finance).

Ministry of Science and Technology with the Ministry of Information and Communications (retaining the name Ministry of Science and Technology).

Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs with the Ministry of Home Affairs (retaining the name Ministry of Home Affairs).

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (renamed Ministry of Agriculture and Environment).

Dissolution of all General Departments, retaining only Departments.

Fatherland Front and political-social organizations:

Dissolution of 11 Party committees within the Vietnam Fatherland Front and other organizations, replacing them with a unified Central Party Committee for the Front and Mass Organizations, comprising approximately 30 units.

New Party structures:

Creation of three new Party Committees:

Government Party Committee: Led by the Prime Minister, overseeing approximately 200,000 members.

National Assembly Party Committee: Led by the National Assembly Chairperson.

Central Party Agencies Party Committee: Led by the Standing Secretariat, overseeing Party, judiciary, and inspection bodies.

At the local level, two Party Committees are proposed: one for Party and mass organizations and another for government agencies.

A bold step towards reform

Do Van Chien emphasized that the reforms are a “revolutionary” measure requiring synchronized efforts in political thought, human resources, and policy implementation. The Politburo has demonstrated leadership by addressing practical challenges and fostering consensus within the Party and the public, garnering positive international recognition.

The Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee has already streamlined its operations, reducing its organizational units from 16 to 8.

These reforms reflect the Party's commitment to creating a leaner, more efficient political system while preserving its foundational principles and long-term objectives.

Thu Hang