Vietnam is undergoing significant government restructuring and efficiency measures aimed at revamping its administrative apparatus. This initiative has been prominently driven by the central government, which recently completed major reforms, and localities across the country are now following suit.
One of the most notable outcomes of these efforts has been evident with the recent completion of reforms reducing the number of ministries at the national level. Specifically, the government has now streamlined its structure down to 17 ministries and equal-status agencies. Following this example, cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are intensifying their own organization rearrangements with the spirit of 'running as they arrange'.
For example, Hanoi's organization has undergone substantial changes through mergers of governmental departments. The Department of Planning and Investment and the Department of Finance have been combined to form the Finance Department. Similarly, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has merged with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, and the Department of Information and Communications has merged with the Department of Science and Technology.
These reforms have also affected the organizational structure of several other departments. For example, the new structure of the Department of Agriculture and Environment now consists of 25 sub-units, which is down from 37, reflecting a significant reduction of 32%. Similarly, the Department of Science and Technology has been reduced to 12 units from 21, marking a reduction of 42.86%.
These reorganizations are not limited to the capital. Ho Chi Minh City has also ratified its administrative adjustments, cutting down the number of departments from 21 to just 16—a 23.8% reduction. Likewise, various provinces across Vietnam are engaging similarly to streamline their government offices.
To support these restructuring steps, numerous officials and civil servants have chosen to retire early, facilitating the reallocation of personnel. For example, 34 officials from Hai Phong sought early retirement on March 1, aimed at making the administrative harmonization more manageable. Quang Tri Province has reported 11 key leaders also opting for early retirement to align with administrative efficiency goals.
On February 28, the government adopted Decree No. 45/2025/NĐ-CP, laying out new regulations for organizing specialized agencies under the People's Committees of provincial and district levels. This decree enables provinces and cities to establish no more than 14 specialized departments, with exceptions for major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, which may house up to 15.
The decree specifies the types of departments uniformly recognized across the board, such as the Departments of Finance, Agriculture and Environment, Construction, and Health. It also allows for unique departments reflective of local requirements, such as the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Ethnic Affairs.
Despite the advantages seen with these restructuring efforts, areas of concern have also emerged, echoing challenges from earlier administrative reorganizations carried out between 2019 and 2021. These include the issue of excess deputy posts and civil service staff across various ministries. Many organizations find themselves with more deputies than appropriate as regulations dictate optimal numbers. Local governments are prompted to encourage the retirement of suitable candidates to address these supervisory discrepancies.
There are also numerous properties and facilities within government assets deemed unnecessary post-restructuring. For example, Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Province now finds itself with 44 unoccupied buildings and other properties. Handling these surplus assets presents difficulties due to stringent regulations governing public property management.
Guidelines have been released to help local governments tackle issues related to excess assets, detailed under Decree No. 50/2025/NĐ-CP, which amends standards on managing public property. There may also be logistical challenges associated with reorganizing offices and moving operations to new physical locations, especially concerning the continued provision of services to citizens and businesses.
Lastly, the emotional and cultural impact on officials and civil servants cannot be overlooked during this transitional phase. Maintaining morale and trust within government bodies will require targeted approaches from local leaders aimed at soothing concerns among affected staff.
The future of Vietnam's administrative efficiency looks promising with the anticipated outcomes of the restructuring initiatives. Continued evaluation and adjustment will undoubtedly fortify the government's commitment to effective service delivery and economic growth.
With the realization of these reforms, Vietnam stands at the brink of a transformation which could facilitate more agile governance and improved public service efficiency.