The Vietnamese government has issued a directive for the Ministry of Home Affairs to lead efforts in developing a comprehensive plan for restructuring administrative agencies at the provincial, district, and commune levels. The goal is to create a more efficient and effective governance system.

This initiative is part of the government’s broader agenda, outlined in its recently issued resolution following the February cabinet meeting. The resolution emphasizes key economic and social development measures, with administrative restructuring being a major focus.

Government agencies at all levels have been instructed to meticulously plan the disbursement of public investment funds for each project, ensuring adherence to monthly and quarterly schedules.

Strict penalties will be enforced against organizations and individuals who deliberately delay budget allocations and disbursement, engage in corrupt practices, or exhibit inefficiency in public investment management. Officials lacking competency or contributing to administrative inefficiencies will be swiftly replaced.

Strategic budget adjustments and investment planning

To optimize budget use, ministries and localities must submit proposals to the Ministry of Finance by March 15 regarding adjustments to the 2025 central budget investment plan. These proposals should include:

Reallocating funds from agencies undergoing restructuring to newly merged entities.
Reducing the previously approved central budget investment for 2025 where necessary.
Requesting additional investment for critical projects.

The government has also assigned the Ministry of Science and Technology to collaborate with relevant agencies to review and adjust specific tasks under Resolution No. 03 (issued January 9) to align with new administrative structures following the restructuring.

Education reform and tuition-free public schooling

The Ministry of Education and Training has been tasked with working alongside the Ministry of Finance and local authorities to swiftly implement the Politburo’s directive on providing free public education from preschool through high school nationwide.

This policy is expected to take effect in the 2025-2026 academic year. A detailed report on its implementation must be submitted to the Prime Minister by the end of March.

Additionally, a national strategy will be developed to establish boarding schools in remote, border, and island regions, ensuring equitable access to education for all students.

Preventing corruption and misconduct in the restructuring process

The Ministry of Home Affairs has been specifically directed to ensure that the restructuring process adheres to the highest standards of transparency and accountability.

The government has emphasized that no instances of favoritism, lobbying, or personal gain should be tolerated in the restructuring and downsizing of government agencies.

The plan must be submitted to the Party Committee of the Government for review before being presented to the Politburo, in line with Conclusion No. 127 issued by the Politburo.

Additionally, the Ministry of Home Affairs will compile feedback from ministries, agencies, and local governments regarding proposals for decentralization and delegation of authority, which will then be reported to the Prime Minister and the government.

The government has also ordered ministries and localities to conduct a thorough review of all stalled projects and unutilized public infrastructure. Solutions must be identified to address issues preventing their completion, ensuring that national resources are not wasted.

Efforts to combat corruption and mismanagement will be closely tied to the restructuring initiative. This is particularly crucial as Vietnam prepares for the upcoming 14th National Congress of the Communist Party.

The government has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for corruption, emphasizing that any attempt to exploit the restructuring process for personal gain or political maneuvering will be strictly punished.

Tran Thuong