Vietnam is undergoing significant changes in its government structure with the merger of the Ministry of Construction and the Ministry of Transport. This move, which is part of the national governance reform plan outlined by Resolution 18, is aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and reducing bureaucratic overhead.
According to Đỗ Thị Phong Lan, Deputy Head of the Organization Department of the Ministry of Construction, this merger is expected to bring down the total number of administrative units from 42, which includes 19 from the former Ministry of Construction and 23 from the Ministry of Transport, to just 24-27 units. This reduction amounts to about 35-41% of the total administrative structure within the two ministries.
The reforms come after seven years of implementing Resolution 18, which has seen the Ministry of Construction significantly reduce its administrative personnel. By the end of 2024, the number of assigned personnel for the Ministry is projected to drop to 357, making it a leaner body focused on achieving primary objectives more effectively. “I can affirmatively say the Ministry of Construction continued to streamline its organization even before the enactment of Resolution 18 and has intensified these efforts since,” Lan noted during the fourth quarter press briefing on December 27, 2024.
Cà Mau Province has demonstrated similarly promising results after implementing Resolution 18. Here, local authorities have successfully disbanded one department under the Provincial Party Committee and five internal organizations. The streamlining process also led to the reduction of 151 administrative units within the provincial government, underscoring the commitment to establishing a more efficient governance framework.
The Provincial Party Committee has outlined plans to cut 10 more units at the provincial level, including various department mergers, as part of its structured governance plan. Among these, the Department of Planning and Investment is set to merge with the Department of Finance, and the Department of Transport with the Department of Construction.
Nguyễn Tiến Hải, Secretary of the Cà Mau Provincial Party Committee, emphasized the importance of this restructuring, stating, “This is a revolution concerning the organization and streamlining of the state apparatus. We are carrying this out transparently for the collective benefit.”
The merging of the ministries and decommissioning of less effective administrative units is seen as part of broader governmental efforts to improve capacity and focus on service delivery. The restructuring is intended to alleviate the overlap of responsibilities among departments, enabling clearer lines of accountability and enhanced operational expertise.
Lan indicated the reforms aim to preserve human resources possessing experience and wherewithal, asserting, “We need individuals who are trained, willing to accept responsibility, and capable of delivering results.”
The expected outcomes of this governmental restructuring are significant. By simplifying the bureaucratic framework, both national and provincial levels of government aim to respond more rapidly to the needs of their constituents and improve service efficiency. Administrative redundancies can drain resources, and this initiative seeks to rectify those inefficiencies.
Overall, the changes introduced by the government reflect its determination to reform its operational capabilities. The effectiveness of these transformations will likely hinge on the successful integration of previously separate entities, the retention of skilled staff, and the commitment across all levels of government to pursue these reforms with rigor.
These government initiatives signal Vietnam’s strategic shift toward achieving more streamlined governance, adapting to modern administrative challenges, and promoting greater effectiveness within its public service sectors.
