Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam is turning surplus public assets into a valuable driver of socio-economic development, as ministries, sectors and localities step up efforts to reorganise, repurpose and effectively use redundant state-owned properties following administrative restructuring.
Following the reorganisation of the state apparatus and administrative units at all levels, a significant volume of surplus offices, land and other public assets has emerged nationwide. Through coordinated measures to review, restructure and manage them, these assets are now being used more effectively, becoming a valuable resource for development.
According to the Ministry of Finance (MoF), 34 localities nationwide have completed the arrangement and handling of state-owned housing and land under their management. A total of 25,885 facilities have been handled, ensuring that all are assigned to entities responsible for management, use or disposal in line with regulations.
The ministry said the results have contributed significantly to stabilising organisational structures and ensuring the smooth operation of the two-tier local administration model, and helped improve the efficiency of public asset management, preventing waste, abandonment or misuse.
Of the processed facilities, 8,515 have been repurposed for administrative and public service use. A further 2,913 now serve education and training, 618 for health care, and 2,296 for cultural and sports activities. Another 677 are used for other public purposes, while 91 have been converted into official residences.
Meanwhile, 4,495 facilities have been transferred to land development or housing management entities for management and use, and 6,280 are being utilised for other purposes in line with regulations.
Alongside the handling of housing and land, localities have also ensured that all newly arranged communes are fully equipped with working machinery and equipment, helping grassroots administrations operate stably immediately after restructuring. Local authorities are continuing to review and allocate funding to replace outdated equipment to meet the requirements of digital transformation, administrative reform and improve governance efficiency in the new phase.
To further enhance the efficiency of public asset management and utilisation, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on February 26, 2026 issued an official dispatch, requiring ministries, sectors and localities to accelerate the arrangement, handling and effective use of public assets after administrative restructuring to prevent losses and waste. He requested that redundant properties be promptly put into use and inspection, supervision and oversight be strengthened.
Nguyen Tan Thinh, Director of the MoF’s Department of Public Asset Management, attributed the positive results to concerted efforts of ministries and agencies, as well as the proactive role of local authorities.
The finance ministry has urged the People’s Committees of provinces and cities nationwide to tighten management of public assets after reorganisation, ensuring transparency, efficiency and preventing waste. Localities have been asked to promptly issue relevant regulations, especially on decentralised asset management and usage standards, to speed up handling and utilisation. They are also required to properly arrange and handle public offices, land and assets during the restructuring of public service units, in line with regulations and government directives.
Additionally, authorities must review the use of vehicles, machinery and equipment to ensure proper, cost-effective use in line with approved standards./.
📝OP-ED: Streamlining state apparatus: A foundation for rapid, sustainable development
The election is unfolding as Vietnam presses ahead with sweeping administrative reforms, including efforts to streamline the state apparatus and implement a two-tier local government model from the central level to grassroots authorities. Amendments to key laws are also aimed at strengthening decentralisation, improving the management of public assets and accelerating digital transformation, enabling citizens to access information more easily while fostering a leaner, more transparent governance system that better upholds people’s rights.
