The upcoming reform to streamline the political system's apparatus poses a significant workload. One critical task is anticipating and preventing, after mergers, loss or waste of land and public assets because of ‘everybody’s business is nobody’s business’ mindset.

Associate Professor Dr Vu Van Phuc, former Editor-in-Chief of the Communist Review, shared with VietNamNet solutions to prevent the waste and loss of land and public assets post-merger.

Under the Central Committee's policy, the number of provincial administrative units in Vietnam will decrease from 63 to 34, the district level will be eliminated, and only 3,320 communes and wards will remain after mergers. This is an unprecedented revolution. How do you assess this restructuring within the broader context of the revolution to streamline the political system's apparatus, enabling the country to enter a new era?

Vietnam’s local government system has undergone multiple mergers, consolidations, and divisions, but the restructuring this time is considered an unprecedented revolution.

First, it is being implemented simultaneously at the provincial, district, and commune levels. 

Second, for the first time in history, Vietnam will abolish the district level, establishing a two-tier local government system: provincial and commune.

Third, it is the first time both provincial and commune levels are being merged and consolidated concurrently. 

Fourth, the merger and consolidation, along with the abolition of the district level, will occur in a very short timeframe, amid preparations for Party Congresses at all levels in preparation for the 14th National Party Congress.

Fifth, the merger and consolidation of provincial and commune levels are part of the broader revolution to streamline the political system's apparatus.

Per the Central Committee's policy, after the merger, the number of provincial units will drop from 63 to 34, while the number of staff position will reduce 18,440, and commune-level units will decrease from 10,035 to just over 3,320 (down 66.91 percent), cutting 110,780 staff positions.

Thus, after the revolution to streamline the political system's apparatus, Vietnam’s political structure from the central to commune levels will have fewer units and be significantly leaner, while also refining and streamlining officials, public servants, and employees.

This is an important foundation and an essential condition in organizational structure and workforce to propel Vietnam into a new era of national growth.

The Central Committee's policy on restructuring provincial administrative units emphasizes that it is not merely a mechanical addition but it must create superior development, as General Secretary To Lam noted, "2 plus 2 must be greater than 4." What are your expectations for this principle?

Merging and streamlining administrative units doesn’t mean adding and cutting down numbers of units. What we expect from the merger and streamlining is the creation of new provinces and communes that have bigger strengths than the combined strength of the localities.

After the merger and consolidation to form new provinces and new communes, new development space must be created, and conditions for new development resources must be generated, thus serving the people better and bringing improved material and spiritual life to people.

What are your thoughts on Party Chief’s To Lam’s directive: “During the merger process, it is necessary to ensure transparent, open, and professional management of land and public assets, especially in areas with high development potential, to prevent loss, waste, and group interests”?

His directive is timely and correct, ensuring that land and public assets are not lost or wasted before, during, or after the merger and consolidation of provinces and communes. This guidance aims to prevent people from exploiting the merger to turn public assets into private ones.

It has happened that public land assets were lost after the merger in some localities because of the ‘everybody’s business is nobody’s business’ mindset. 

The merger aims at a lean, effective, efficient, and modern government apparatus, imbued with the motto "government of people, by the people, for the people," meeting the increasingly high demands of the people in the new development context. What are the solutions to meet these requirements?

First, intensifying propaganda to achieve high unity within the Party and strong consensus among people.

Second, thoroughly preparing documents and personnel to successfully organize Party Congresses.

Third, selecting and appointing good cadres to important positions.

Fourth, operating new administrative units immediately.

Fifth, heightening leadership capability.

Sixth, strengthening Party discipline in building a socialist, rule-of-law state.

Seventh, respecting and promoting people’s mastery

Eighth, applying reasonable policies to retain talents.

Nguyen Thao