Personnel allocation, after province merger, district-level abolition and rearrangement of commune-level units for a two-tier government, are a major concern for district and commune officials.

Nguyen Van Hong, head of a department in a Thanh Hoa district, after graduating from university, started as a specialist in a department. Through his work, district leaders promoted him to the department deputy head.

Later, Hong was assigned to serve as a commune chair. After holding various roles, he returned to the district as a department head, was elected to the district’s executive committee, and was planned for a deputy district chair position.

“My whole career has been about striving through multiple roles to be slated for deputy district chair. It’s not just my effort but also recognition from higher-ups. With the upcoming policy to remove the district level, I don’t know if my efforts will still be acknowledged,” he confided.

According to Hong, if districts remain, he could at least stay a department head with a chance to become deputy chair. But without districts and with commune mergers, someone like him would struggle to reach higher positions.

In personnel processes, appointees must follow a structured path. For instance, district standing committee members are typically assigned as commune secretaries. District Party committee members—including deputy chairs, deputy secretaries, council chairs, and Fatherland Front leaders—are often placed as commune chairs or deputy chairs.

“For department heads like me, it’s hard to secure suitable roles,” Hong wondered.

Despite his concerns, Hong affirmed his support for the nation’s broader reform and readiness to take on any new role to be assigned.

Hoang Phuong’s case is similar. Previously a teacher, he was recruited to work at the district level due to a shortage of capable officials in his mountainous area.

Phuong started at the district People’s Committee Office, later rising to deputy head and then department head. With his skills, he was elected to the executive committee and planned for a deputy district chair role.

As part of the process, he was assigned to serve as a commune Party secretary for training, with the intent to return to the district as deputy chair.

With the policy to abolish districts and merge communes, Phuong worries that even his commune secretary post feels uncertain.

He noted that he has excelled in every position held. People like him have dedicated over 20 years of youth, striving with passion to reach their current roles.

Le Duong