Hanoi and Bac Ninh Restructure Administrative Units to Enhance Efficiency
Significant changes including merging of departments and adjusting personnel aim to streamline governance
Hanoi and Bac Ninh are at the forefront of administrative restructuring efforts aimed at improving efficiency within government operations. The recent decisions from both cities reflect broader national initiatives to streamline personnel and optimize the management of public resources. This reshaping process has been prompted by the need to adapt governance structures to changing socio-economic conditions and residents' growing expectations.
On February 24, 2025, Bac Ninh held a meeting to review financial affairs and the state budget alongside updating the personnel of its People’s Council (MTTQ). The local government representatives shared reports on the proper handling of finances, properties, and equipment throughout the restructuring process. Vice Chairman Ngo Tan Phuong commended the agencies for their proactive management of financial resources and property adjustments as they prepare for the introduction of new governance units effective from March 1, 2025.
This broad restructuring is not limited to Bac Ninh alone; it is mirrored by actions taken by Hanoi. According to Trần Đình Cảnh, the Director of Hanoi’s Department of Home Affairs, adjustments to the civil service structure are necessary to equip newly merged agencies to fulfill their political responsibilities effectively. During Hanoi's 21st People’s Council meeting on the same day, officials emphasized inputs from various representative offices to align the workforce with the city's governance needs.
Changes endorsed during the Council sessions include maintaining the total number of civil servants at 117,555, with amendments allowing for 472 additional contractual positions to support specialized functions. The allocation of personnel encompasses various levels, from office workers to local administrative personnel, ensuring the continuity of service provision at diminished costs.
Meanwhile, Bac Ninh has been proactive as the first region nationwide to consolidate its Agricultural and Natural Resources Departments, forming the new Department of Agriculture and Environment effective from the onset of 2025. The district is also merging the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs with other sectors, reflecting the broader push to streamline local administration and improve services.
Bac Ninh has seen the most immediate changes, including the appointment of Nguyễn Nhân Chinh, formerly of the Department of Labor, to the role of Vice Chairman of the MTTQ, highlighting the involvement of experienced civil servants within newly structured departments. This move indicates confidence by local authority figures, including Vice Chairman Phuong, who expressed hope for Chinh's leadership skills to spur collaboration across various governmental branches.
At the conclusion of the meeting, attendees expressed consensus on various proposals concerning the provincial Party Congress planning. Areas of focus included economic growth metrics and community targets reflecting local school and health standards. With assessments underway, the MTTQ agreed on the need for governance systems to adapt quickly to challenges posed by limited resources and community needs.
Efforts to harmonize local governance have been seen as timely following the issuance of Decision No. 35/2023, aimed at reshaping administrative units across multiple districts. This overarching strategy stems from the National Assembly’s direction to establish effective management structures responsive to current population and area-based requirements. The Ministry of Home Affairs is tasked with overseeing adherence to this restructuring using standardized guidelines for local implementations.
Central to this dialogue is the pressing requirement to maintain operational continuity—government agencies are requested to prepare for effective closure and handover of responsibilities. A key aspect of this operational transition is ensuring smooth business dealings, particularly concerning the management and allocation of public funds and property, which includes identifying surplus assets and redistributing obligations effectively.
Both regions are embracing these changes against the backdrop of ensuring resource allocation for future tasks associated with party and administrative elections occurring later this year. The finalization of comprehensive workforce roles, budget specifications, and property management plans is aimed to bolster the efficiency of public service delivery.
The impending consolidation of administrative units and streamlining of human resources is part of Vietnam’s broader policy reforms. The shifts highlight not only the government's commitment to enhancing functionality and transparency but also reflect the growing necessity for adaptable governance pathways in light of modernization demands across administrative landscapes.
The positive feedback from state leaders points toward the expectation of tangible benefits for the local population as bureaucratic layers diminish and responsive services can be provided faster. Stakeholders remain optimistic about the direct impact these structural adjustments will have on increasing the effectiveness of policy execution moving forward.
With the administrative reforms taking root, both Hanoi and Bac Ninh are setting precedents for other provinces considering similar restructuring as the nation prepares for guided growth and responsive governance.