Vietnam dissolves district-level police units, shifts driver’s license issuance to local police, and transfers judicial record management to the Ministry of Public Security under major reforms.
Citizens can now apply for or renew driver’s licenses at local police stations. Photo: Tuan Kiet
From March 1, 2025, significant government reforms have taken effect, including the dissolution of district-level police departments, the transfer of several key administrative duties to the Ministry of Public Security, and visa exemptions for citizens of three European countries.
District-level police units dissolved nationwide
Under Decree 02/2025, the Vietnamese police force will now operate at two levels - provincial and commune -eliminating district-level law enforcement agencies. As a result, 694 district police offices and nearly 6,000 subordinate divisions have ceased operations.
Since 2008, the Ministry of Public Security has undergone multiple rounds of restructuring, including the abolition of general departments, 82 department-level units, and nearly 1,900 division-level offices.
At a press conference on February 28, Major General Pham Quang Tuyen, Deputy Director of the Department of Personnel Organization, explained that the restructuring aligns with modern policing needs, digital transformation, and innovation.
He emphasized that commune-level police units have proven capable of handling security, administrative tasks, and law enforcement responsibilities at the local level.
This reform also reflects a strong political commitment from the Central Public Security Party Committee in implementing national resolutions on streamlining government operations.
Citizens can now renew driver’s licenses at local police stations
One of the most significant administrative changes involves the transfer of driver’s license issuance and renewal responsibilities to the police. Citizens can now apply for new or replacement licenses through:
Local police stations at the commune, ward, or township level.
Provincial traffic police divisions.
The license renewal fee is 135,000 VND (approximately USD 5.30), as stipulated in Circular 37/2023 from the Ministry of Finance.
Required documents for license renewal include:
An application form for license renewal.
A valid health certificate (except for A1, A, and B1 license holders).
The original driver’s license.
A copy of the applicant’s national ID, passport, or equivalent identification (for foreigners or overseas Vietnamese).
Citizens will receive their renewed licenses within five days of submitting their application. License data will also be updated in VNeID (Vietnam’s national digital ID system) and the Traffic Police Department’s online portal within three days of processing.
Ministry of Public Security takes over judicial record issuance
A press conference announcing new laws effective from March 1, 2025. Photo: Trong Quynh
Another significant administrative shift is the transfer of judicial record (criminal background check) issuance from the Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of Public Security.
A judicial record certificate serves as an official document verifying an individual’s legal background, ensuring they have no criminal record or pending convictions. These records are widely used for:
Employment applications.
Immigration and visa processes.
Business licensing and administrative procedures.
Over 8 million judicial record certificates have been issued in recent years, and the transition to the Ministry of Public Security is expected to improve efficiency and simplify procedures.
In addition to judicial record issuance, the Ministry of Public Security has also taken over responsibilities related to:
Aviation security.
Cybersecurity and data protection.
Drug rehabilitation programs and post-rehabilitation management.
These new responsibilities reflect the government’s commitment to strengthening national security and digital governance.
Expanded powers for the Prime Minister and local governments
The Government Organization Law, passed during the 9th extraordinary session of the National Assembly, has officially taken effect.
This law grants greater autonomy to local governments while empowering the Prime Minister to implement emergency measures in cases of:
National crises such as pandemics, natural disasters, or security threats.
Economic disruptions requiring urgent government intervention.
The law also allows the government to bypass existing regulations - with National Assembly approval - to expedite large-scale national projects and economic initiatives.
Visa exemptions for citizens of Poland, Czech Republic, and Switzerland
Under Resolution 11, the Vietnamese government has introduced visa exemptions for citizens of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland.
Key details of the visa exemption policy:
Travelers from these three countries can stay in Vietnam for up to 45 days.
Exemptions apply regardless of passport type.
The policy is valid from March 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025.
Vietnamnet.vn
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