On September 18, 2025, two of Vietnam’s largest cities—Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh City—found themselves at the center of ambitious reform efforts, each striving to address complex challenges within their respective spheres of governance and public service. While Hai Phong’s leaders convened to chart a new course for the city’s mass organizations, Ho Chi Minh City’s officials and healthcare enterprises gathered to untangle persistent knots in the healthcare sector. Despite differing contexts, both stories reveal a shared commitment to institutional renewal, transparency, and the pursuit of public trust.
In Hai Phong, a working session brought together a roster of influential figures: Pham Van Lap, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee and Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hai Phong; Nguyen Quang Phuc, Head of the Propaganda and Mobilization Department; Nguyen Duc Tuan, Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee; and representatives from multiple departments and units. According to reports cited by the local press, there are currently 17 mass organizations in Hai Phong operating across a wide spectrum—science and technology, literature, arts, foreign affairs, economy, and specialized cultural, professional, humanitarian, and social sectors.
Over the past 13 years, the implementation of Directive No. 17 from the Politburo has provided comprehensive leadership and direction for the organization and activities of these mass organizations in Hai Phong. The city’s departments and boards have paid close attention to state management, ensuring that organizations operate voluntarily, manage themselves, and adhere strictly to their statutes. Some groups receive state funding linked to specific tasks, while others self-finance, reflecting a diverse and dynamic ecosystem. Notably, both the number and the quality of these organizations have continued to develop and expand, a testament to the city’s evolving civil society.
The session’s discussions, as reported by Vietnam’s official news outlets, focused on assessing the successes and shortcomings of Directive No. 17’s implementation, identifying lingering issues, and sharing practical lessons learned. Delegates also proposed solutions for a new directive from the Politburo, aiming to further modernize and strengthen the Party’s leadership over mass organizations in today’s rapidly changing environment. There was a clear call for amendments to Decision No. 118, with the goal of making its provisions more relevant and effective.
Pham Van Lap, speaking at the session, reaffirmed the City Party Committee’s dedication to leading, guiding, and facilitating stable operations for mass organizations. "The City Party Committee is focused on leadership, direction, and creating conditions for stable operation of mass organizations, actively contributing to building the Party and government," he stated, as quoted by the local media. He urged the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and central delegations to continue supporting Hai Phong through the challenges of organizational restructuring, especially when it comes to maintaining stability and capitalizing on the strengths of Party- and State-assigned organizations.
Nguyen Thai Hoc, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and Central delegations, provided the session’s concluding remarks. He emphasized the importance of comprehensive Party leadership and state management, particularly for organizations with unique or special characteristics. "It is necessary to issue a new directive to replace Directive No. 17, incorporating its advantages and reflecting the orientation of comprehensive Party leadership and state management of different types of mass organizations, especially those with special characteristics, ensuring effective operation at local government levels," Hoc said. He also called for continuous review of legal documents and prompt resolution of difficulties, as well as the reorganization of internal structures to ensure synchronization, transparency, efficiency, and the mobilization of public resources.
Elsewhere in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City’s healthcare sector was grappling with its own set of challenges. On September 17, 2025, city officials held a major dialogue with over 150 healthcare enterprises and numerous related agencies. Their goal: to address persistent bottlenecks in the healthcare system through bold reforms and open communication.
According to Nguyen Thanh Hien, Deputy Head of the Inspection and Legal Department at the City Department of Health, the first half of 2025 saw 59 out of 70 drug facilities penalized for violations such as selling drugs without invoices, dispensing prescription drugs without proper prescriptions, and a lack of professional responsibility among university-trained pharmacists. These issues, as Hien pointed out, undermine transparency and create risks to drug quality—risks that can have direct and serious consequences for patients.
Cosmetic businesses were also scrutinized, with some penalized for improper product declarations and misleading advertisements. Such realities point to persistent regulatory knots in management procedures, licensing, inspection, and oversight. The complexity of bidding processes for medical equipment and supplies, as well as the challenge of obtaining certificates of origin for imported goods, further complicates business operations and increases costs for healthcare providers.
At the dialogue, business representatives voiced their frustrations over the cumbersome and time-consuming nature of bidding procedures. Many called for streamlined administrative processes to reduce risks, cut costs, and speed up the delivery of medical products and services. The lack of clarity around product features and the prevalence of misleading advertisements have also eroded trust in the market, making the need for reform all the more urgent.
Responding to these concerns, Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Health pledged concrete action. Nguyen Hong Chuong, Deputy Director of the Department, underscored the value of dialogue as a vital channel for connecting government and business, ensuring that healthcare policies are implemented consistently and efficiently. "Dialogue is an effective channel connecting government and business, ensuring that healthcare policies are implemented consistently and efficiently, creating maximum convenience for both citizens and businesses," Chuong emphasized, as reported by the Ministry of Health.
The city has already begun simplifying administrative procedures related to bidding for medical equipment and supplies. Authorities have also committed to ongoing support for businesses, helping them navigate regulatory challenges and improve the overall environment for healthcare enterprises. These reforms are designed not only to foster a more favorable business climate but also to enhance the quality of healthcare services available to the city’s residents.
One highlight of the recent dialogue was the introduction of Ho Chi Minh City’s newly integrated healthcare system, which now boasts 164 hospitals, 38 regional health centers, and nearly 10,000 specialized clinics. This expansion reflects the city’s determination to meet the growing healthcare needs of its population, even as it faces administrative hurdles and regulatory complexities.
Both Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh City are navigating periods of significant transformation. As Hai Phong seeks to refine the structure and leadership of its mass organizations, Ho Chi Minh City is determined to reform its healthcare sector, rooting out inefficiencies and building public trust. These parallel efforts, each marked by open dialogue and a willingness to confront hard truths, signal a broader movement within Vietnam toward more responsive, effective, and accountable governance. The coming months will reveal just how far these reforms can go in reshaping the country’s civic and healthcare landscapes.
