Hanoi (VNA) – The implementation of Vietnam’s two-tier local government system marks not only a streamlining of administrative structures but also a fundamental shift in state management thinking.
The reform aims to create a transparent, efficient, and citizen-oriented administration via 28 government decrees on decentralisation issued to reduce over 10,000 commune-level administrative units to 3,321.
Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra emphasised that the two-tier local administration is designed to empower each level of government with decision-making authority and accountability while ensuring better services for citizens.
She described each level as a “growth-enabling hub” for both the locality and the country in a new development era.
Dr. Nguyen Si Dung, former Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Office, said that in a complex and fast-changing world, governments must be agile, responsive, and effective. He highlighted the principle of subsidiarity, empowering the level closest to the people to make decisions as an approach successfully applied in advanced administrative systems, such as Japan.
Former Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Nguyen Tien Dinh noted that commune-level authorities are best positioned to handle citizens' needs quickly and efficiently. Eliminating unnecessary intermediaries ensures policies reach the people faster, reinforcing the principle of “putting citizens at the centre”.
Ramla Khalidi, UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam, added that restructuring local governments aligns with the constitutional principle of “a state of the people, by the people, and for the people,” enhancing both accountability and citizen participation.
A key feature of the reform is the empowerment of commune-level People’s Committees, which now have clearer legal mandates, broader functions, and greater flexibility in implementation. Their responsibilities have doubled compared to previous regulations, with over 1,060 tasks transferred from district-level authorities and additional tasks delegated from central and provincial levels.
Minister Tra described commune-level authorities as “the daily touchpoint of government for citizens,” shifting from being merely an administrative extension to becoming the “operational brain” of local governance.
The revised Law on Local Government Organisation elevates the role of provincial People’s Committees, positioning them as unified management centres that coordinate development strategies and law enforcement from provincial to commune levels. This represents a move from collective decision-making to clearly defined personal responsibility, particularly for provincial chairpersons.
The number of independent duties of provincial chairpersons has increased from 11 to 23, covering areas such as law enforcement, administrative oversight, delegation of authority, and rapid response to local challenges.
The minister stressed that this approach allows more decisive leadership and better coordination across levels of administration.
Dr. Nguyen Si Dung underlined that decentralisation is not just an administrative adjustment but a declaration of trust in local authorities, their capacity, and the country’s resilience.
He said that empowering local governments creates a responsive, citizen-focused public service that delivers timely and sustainable results.
At a ceremony announcing the National Assembly’s resolution on the merger of provinces and cities, Party General Secretary To Lam highlighted the strategic significance of this reform. He described the restructuring as a historic step toward building a modern, citizen-centric, and service-oriented administration, ensuring that “all benefits belong to the people”.
By redefining roles, responsibilities, and accountability across the provincial and commune levels, Vietnam’s two-tier local government model aims to foster stronger, more efficient state management.
It is envisioned as a foundation for national development, with local governments empowered to act decisively, engage with citizens directly, and drive socio-economic growth./.
