In the heart of Vietnam’s ongoing journey toward modernization and efficiency, the year 2025 is shaping up to be a watershed moment. Across provinces and cities, a wave of political and administrative reforms is sweeping the nation, aiming to streamline government, strengthen the Party’s foundation, and usher in a new era of development. From Can Tho in the Mekong Delta to the mountainous province of Dien Bien, decisive actions are being taken to implement resolutions born from the highest levels of Party leadership. The mood, as captured by local reports and echoed by thousands of Party members and citizens, is one of resolve, hope, and a deep belief in the transformative power of these reforms.
On October 10, 2025, in the commune of Thanh Thoi An, local leaders took bold steps to advance the resolutions of the Party Congress. According to Bao Can Tho, these actions were not isolated but part of a broader, determined push across the region. Dai Hai commune, for instance, has been actively promoting the collective strength of associations and organizations in both Party building and socio-economic development. It’s a microcosm of the nationwide effort to ignite grassroots energy and ensure the Party’s vision resonates in every corner of society.
Support for officials, civil servants, public employees, and workers has also been a priority. Notably, those who previously worked in Soc Trang and Hau Giang provinces and have since moved to Can Tho city are benefiting from targeted support policies. Such measures, as reported by Bao Can Tho, reflect the government’s commitment to smoothing transitions and ensuring that human resources are effectively mobilized for the city’s development goals.
Meanwhile, the first Party Congress of Doan ward, Dai Thanh, for the 2025-2030 term was successfully convened. This event, together with the preliminary approval of a cultural program to celebrate the opening of the Can Tho city Party Committee Congress, signals a spirit of renewal and unity. The launch of an electronic information page and a special section dedicated to the Party Congress further demonstrates a focus on transparency and public engagement.
Education and ideological training have not been left behind. Two new classes of Advanced Political Theory for non-full-time students, covering the 2025-2027 period, have been initiated. The Can Tho city Party Committee has also been actively summarizing and reviewing the implementation of key tasks and resolutions—a process underpinned by a strong emphasis on strict discipline. "Strict discipline is the foundation for a strong Party in the new era," as highlighted in Bao Can Tho, and this principle is being woven into the fabric of local governance.
Elsewhere, the Farmers Association of Ho Dac Kien commune held its inaugural Party Congress for the 2025-2030 term, and Thanh Xuan commune is channeling resources to effectively implement economic and social development tasks. Each of these local milestones contributes to a broader national tapestry of reform, resilience, and ambition.
Zooming out to the national stage, the urgency and scope of change become even clearer. As of October 2025, provinces and cities across Vietnam are racing to complete their provincial Party Congresses in anticipation of the 14th National Party Congress. Nearly 50,000 Party members in Dien Bien province alone are preparing—"ready and enthusiastic for the 15th provincial Party Congress for the 2025-2030 term," according to Dien Bien Phu newspaper. This sense of anticipation is rooted in the knowledge that the decisions made now will shape the country’s trajectory for years to come.
Central to these reforms is Resolution No. 60-NQ/TW, issued on April 12, 2025, by the 13th Central Executive Committee of the Party. This historic document unified the approach to merging provincial administrative units, abolishing the district level, consolidating commune-level units, and, perhaps most significantly, building a new two-level local government model. The changes are sweeping: the number of provincial units will be reduced from 63 to 34 (28 provinces and 6 centrally-run cities), and the number of commune-level units will be slashed by 60-70%. The new model officially began operation on July 1, 2025.
Dien Bien province, for its part, is implementing Resolution 60 by merging commune units from 129 to just 45. The Party Committee of Dien Bien province currently comprises 49 Party Committees with 49,444 Party members. Despite not merging at the provincial level, the reorganization at the commune level is substantial, aiming for a leaner, more effective local government. "After the restructuring, the entire province saw a 26.3% reduction in specialized agencies under the Provincial People’s Committee, a 29.1% reduction in internal structures, and a 17.5% reduction in public service units under specialized agencies," Dien Bien Phu reported. Perhaps most strikingly, the number of communes was reduced by 84, achieving a 65.1% decrease.
Of course, such massive changes do not come without challenges. The initial phase saw confusion and hesitation among commune-level officials, who suddenly found themselves responsible for larger areas and higher stakes. "The team of commune-level officials was initially confused and hesitant in performing their duties because the area was larger and the responsibilities and authority were greater, while their capacity was somewhat limited and there was no previous model to learn from," noted Dien Bien Phu. Yet, with a combination of training, direct support from provincial cadres, and a spirit of perseverance, these hurdles are gradually being overcome.
The focus now is on building a more capable, innovative, and responsive workforce. Training and fostering of officials and civil servants at the commune level have been ramped up, and provincial officials are being deployed to support communes with staffing or expertise gaps. The 2025-2030 term demands even greater responsibility and determination from provincial Party Committees and governments as they implement the new local government model. "This is also the time and stage to filter the team of officials, civil servants, and public employees at all levels towards improving capacity, bravery, daring to think, daring to do, and innovating to perform well," Dien Bien Phu emphasized.
Underlying all these efforts is a profound sense of trust in the Party and its leadership. The reforms are not merely technical adjustments—they represent a political will shared by the Central Executive Committee, the Politburo, the Secretariat, the National Assembly, and the Government. The ultimate goal is clear: to bring government closer to the people, make it more efficient, and ensure that it serves citizens and businesses to the best of its ability.
As Vietnam stands on the cusp of this new era, the lessons from localities like Can Tho and Dien Bien offer a compelling glimpse into the nation’s future. Through discipline, determination, and innovation, the country is laying the groundwork for a more dynamic and inclusive society. The road ahead may be complex, but the sense of purpose and belief in progress runs deep. If the spirit of these reforms holds, Vietnam’s next chapter could be its most remarkable yet.
