On August 10, 2025, the Ministry of National Defense in Vietnam unveiled a sweeping proposal to overhaul the country’s National Defense Inspectorate system, aiming to tackle long-standing inefficiencies and strengthen oversight within the military sector. According to VOV and other Vietnamese news outlets, this move—detailed in the sixth draft of a new decree—marks a significant structural change, reducing the inspectorate from an unwieldy eight-agency system to just two levels: the Ministry level and a subordinate level comprising the inspectorates of seven military regions and the Hanoi Capital Command.
The current inspectorate structure, as it stands, is broad and complex. It includes the Inspectorate of the Ministry of National Defense, inspectorates at the military region level, the Inspectorate of the General Staff, the General Political Department, various general departments, the Cipher Inspectorate, inspectorates for military branches, the Border Defense Force Inspectorate, provincial-level inspectorates, and those for army corps and equivalent units. While this extensive network was designed to cover every administrative layer from the Ministry down to the grassroots, it has, in practice, resulted in overlapping responsibilities, redundant personnel, and a lack of clear leadership.
"The organization and apparatus of the national defense inspection sector remain cumbersome, with many layers and focal points, and a large number of personnel, but the effectiveness has not matched expectations," the Ministry of National Defense explained in its proposal, as reported by VOV. Despite the broad reach of the inspectorate, inspection activities have often lacked consistent leadership and operational direction across the sector. In some cases, provincial-level inspectorates have struggled to maintain independence and objectivity, sometimes coming under the influence of heads of state administrative agencies at the same level.
These issues have not gone unnoticed. The Ministry of National Defense’s assessment is candid about the challenges: "Some units have not ensured independence and objectivity, and are still subject to the influence of heads of administrative agencies at the same level, resulting in limited inspection outcomes, anti-corruption, waste prevention, and power control." The overlap in activities between different inspection levels has led to inefficient use of resources and, at times, confusion over jurisdiction and responsibility.
To address these persistent problems, the Ministry has developed a plan titled "Rearranging the National Defense Inspectorate System to be Streamlined, Strong, Efficient, Effective, and High-Performing." The core of the plan is the reduction of the inspectorate system from eight agencies to just two levels. At the top will be the Inspectorate of the Ministry of National Defense, responsible for overall direction and oversight. Beneath it, the inspectorates of the seven military regions and the Hanoi Capital Command will serve as the subordinate level, executing inspection duties within their respective jurisdictions.
The scope of the inspectorate’s work remains extensive, covering all agencies, units, organizations, and individuals under the Ministry’s management authority. This includes not only Vietnamese entities but also foreign organizations and individuals operating within Vietnam who are subject to military and national defense laws. The inspectorate’s mandate is to audit compliance with policies, laws, assigned duties and powers, and state plans related to national defense and military affairs. In addition, it will advise and assist commanders and management levels in carrying out inspection duties, handling citizen complaints, resolving grievances, combating corruption, preventing waste, and controlling the exercise of power—all in accordance with legal regulations and Ministry guidelines.
What does this mean in practical terms? For one, the streamlined structure is expected to eliminate the confusion and inefficiency that have plagued the current system. By cutting down on the number of agencies, the Ministry hopes to foster clearer lines of authority and more direct channels of communication. This, in turn, should make it easier to enforce policies, investigate wrongdoing, and ensure accountability throughout the military hierarchy.
The proposal also reflects a broader trend in Vietnamese governance toward administrative simplification and anti-corruption. Over the past decade, Vietnam has made concerted efforts to modernize its public sector, reduce bureaucratic red tape, and improve the effectiveness of state institutions. The restructuring of the National Defense Inspectorate is in line with these national priorities, signaling the government’s commitment to a leaner, more responsive, and more transparent military oversight system.
However, the Ministry’s proposal does not come without challenges. Implementing such a significant restructuring will require careful planning, clear communication, and ongoing training for inspection personnel. There is also the question of how to balance the need for independence and objectivity with the realities of military command structures, where hierarchical authority is deeply ingrained. The Ministry’s draft decree attempts to address these concerns by stipulating that inspectorate activities must remain free from undue influence and by clarifying the responsibilities of each level within the new system.
According to the draft, the inspectorate will not only focus on traditional inspection duties but will also play a proactive role in advising commanders, managing citizen interactions, and handling complaints and denunciations. Furthermore, it will take the lead in anti-corruption initiatives, waste prevention, and the control of power within the military. This expanded role underscores the Ministry’s recognition that effective oversight is not just about enforcing rules but also about fostering a culture of integrity and accountability.
Foreign entities operating in Vietnam are also explicitly included within the inspectorate’s purview, provided their activities relate to military and national defense law. This move aligns with Vietnam’s increasing engagement with international partners and the growing presence of foreign organizations in sectors related to defense and security. By clarifying its authority over both domestic and foreign actors, the Ministry aims to ensure that all relevant parties are held to the same standards of compliance and accountability.
While the proposal is still in draft form and subject to further review and public comment, it has already sparked discussions among legal experts, military officials, and policy analysts. Some have praised the Ministry’s willingness to acknowledge shortcomings and pursue meaningful reform. Others caution that structural changes alone may not be enough to guarantee improved outcomes, emphasizing the need for ongoing vigilance, transparency, and professional development within the inspectorate ranks.
As Vietnam continues to modernize its military and strengthen its legal institutions, the fate of the National Defense Inspectorate’s reform will be closely watched both at home and abroad. If successful, the streamlined system could serve as a model for other sectors grappling with similar challenges of bureaucracy and inefficiency. For now, the Ministry’s bold proposal represents a significant step toward a more agile, effective, and accountable defense oversight mechanism—one that may help set the tone for Vietnam’s broader administrative reforms in the years ahead.
