In a year marked by sweeping reforms and a renewed focus on administrative efficiency, Vietnam’s Ministry of Home Affairs and its Organization and Personnel Department (Vụ Tổ chức - Biên chế) have emerged as central figures in the country’s ongoing governmental transformation. On August 30, 2025, a series of official communications and commemorative events cast a spotlight on both the technicalities of state commendations and the broader, historic evolution of the administrative machinery underpinning Vietnam’s government.
According to Chinhphu.vn, the Ministry of Home Affairs recently clarified the stringent requirements for individuals seeking provincial-level commendation certificates. For many civil servants and government employees, such certificates represent not only recognition of personal achievement but also a tangible marker of professional advancement. However, as the Ministry reiterated, the path to these honors is anything but simple.
Under Clause 1, Article 74 of the Law on Emulation and Commendation, candidates vying for the prestigious 'Grassroots Emulation Soldier' title must first meet the criteria for 'Advanced Labor'—a recognition of consistent dedication and innovation. But that’s just the beginning. The law stipulates that, in addition to the two scientific initiatives or projects already used to attain the 'Grassroots Emulation Soldier' title, candidates must have two more recognized and effectively applied innovations or scientific projects at the grassroots level. Only then do they become eligible for commendation certificates at the ministry, sector, or provincial level.
For those who achieve the 'Advanced Labor' title by excelling in their duties, the requirements remain equally rigorous: two recognized and successfully implemented scientific initiatives or projects at the grassroots level are again mandatory for consideration. In a recent case, the Ministry specifically addressed a query by Ms. Thao, who hoped to be considered for a provincial commendation after two consecutive years as a 'Grassroots Emulation Soldier' and with two completed grassroots-level projects. The Ministry’s response was unequivocal: "The grassroots-level scientific projects used for the 2023 'Grassroots Emulation Soldier' title were not sufficient to meet the criteria for proposing commendation certificates for the years 2023 and 2024."
While such rules may seem daunting, they reflect a broader philosophy—one that prizes not just consistency, but continuous improvement and demonstrable impact in public service. This emphasis on meritocracy and innovation is hardly new. In fact, it’s woven into the very fabric of Vietnam’s administrative history, as highlighted in a sweeping retrospective published on August 30, 2025, chronicling the 80-year journey of the Organization and Personnel Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Founded on August 28, 1945, in the earliest days of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, the Ministry of Home Affairs was immediately entrusted with two core missions: safeguarding political security and social order, and, perhaps more fundamentally, organizing and consolidating the fledgling revolutionary government. The Organization and Personnel Department quickly became a lynchpin, laying the groundwork for a functional and responsive state apparatus.
Through decades of war, reconstruction, and reform, the department has maintained its reputation as the government’s “strategic advisory arm.” Its impact has been especially pronounced since the 1986 Renovation (Đổi Mới), when it played a key role in the creation of multi-sectoral ministries and the systematic reduction of bureaucratic overlap. The department’s commitment to building a streamlined, effective government has only deepened in recent years, especially as the nation has faced new challenges and opportunities in the era of international integration.
According to official reports, the department’s most recent achievements stem from its central role in implementing Resolution 18-NQ/TW of the 12th Central Committee and, more recently, Resolution 176/2025/QH15, which was passed by the National Assembly on February 18, 2025. These landmark policies mandated a dramatic restructuring of the government, reducing the number of ministries from 19 to 14 and streamlining agencies across the board. The changes, which took effect on March 1, 2025, were not just symbolic—they were backed by concrete results: a 100% reduction in general departments (from 13 to zero), a 77.6% reduction in departments (519 eliminated), a 54.1% reduction in divisions (2,196 eliminated), a 91.7% reduction in sub-divisions (3,303 eliminated), and a 38% reduction in public service units (203 eliminated).
These numbers, as reported by Chinhphu.vn, are more than just statistics. They represent a historic leap in Vietnam’s quest for a leaner, more effective state. The reforms also codified a new principle: "one agency does many things, but one task is assigned to only one agency as the main responsible party." This approach, designed to eliminate overlapping responsibilities and bureaucratic confusion, has already begun to reshape the way government operates at every level.
Behind these sweeping changes is a relatively small but highly trained team. As of March 2025, the Organization and Personnel Department counted just 23 officials, with more than 80% classified as senior experts with specialized training in organizational and personnel management. This core group has been praised for its professionalism, resilience, and willingness to tackle the most complex and sensitive assignments—qualities that have proven essential in navigating the politics and practicalities of major administrative reform.
But the department’s success is not just a matter of technical expertise. It is also a testament to a culture of collective responsibility and shared purpose. From top leadership to rank-and-file officials, the team is united by a commitment to public service and a belief that their work should ultimately be measured by the satisfaction of both government authorities and the Vietnamese people. As one official noted, every proposal and reform plan is meticulously prepared, grounded in solid theory and real-world experience, ensuring the Ministry of Home Affairs can present persuasive recommendations to the government.
Such dedication has not gone unnoticed. At the 80th anniversary celebration of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the first National Patriotic Emulation Congress, the Organization and Personnel Department was awarded the First-Class Labor Medal by the President of Vietnam. This honor was given in recognition of the department’s "special outstanding contributions to advising on the restructuring of the state administrative apparatus, arranging administrative units at all levels, organizing the two-level local government model, and reforming state administration."
The recognition serves as both a badge of honor and a call to action. As Vietnam continues its journey toward a modern, professional, and citizen-focused administration, the example set by the Organization and Personnel Department offers a powerful model for other ministries, sectors, and localities. In a rapidly changing world, the ability to adapt, innovate, and deliver results remains the ultimate measure of success in public administration.
With the country now entering a new era of development and deeper global integration, the lessons and achievements of Vietnam’s administrative reformers will undoubtedly shape the future of governance, ensuring that the ideals of a "rich people, strong country, democracy, justice, and civilization" remain within reach for generations to come.
