The Art of Restructuring: Politburo and Secretariat’s Journey in Administrative Reorganisation

Under the leadership of Party General Secretary To Lam, the meeting focused on assessing the progress made in implementing the resolution from the 11th plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee, along with reviewing the conclusions drawn by the Politburo and the Secretariat regarding organizational restructuring.

The Politburo and Secretariat acknowledged the positive strides made thus far, as evidenced by reports from the Party Central Committee’s Organization Commission and Party Committees of various localities. All Party organizations and mass agencies across the nation have demonstrated proactive efforts by issuing guiding documents that delineate responsibilities, foster coordination, and ensure alignment of restructuring plans with central policies and timelines.

Public consultations on the restructuring proposals have concluded nationwide, yielding an impressive average approval rate of 96%. This consensus is further reinforced by the unanimous endorsement of resolutions supporting the restructuring plans by all People’s Councils at the district, commune, and provincial tiers.

A significant reduction in the number of commune-level administrative units is anticipated, with the total count expected to shrink from 10,035 to just over 3,320, marking a substantial 66.91% decrease. The restructuring varies across localities, with the highest reduction rate projected at 76.05% and the lowest at 60%.

At the organizational level, the number of provincial-level Party Committees is set to decrease from 63 to 34, accompanied by the dissolution of over 260 affiliated departments. Additionally, 694 district-level Party Committees and more than 4,160 subordinate units will cease operations. Concurrently, over 3,320 new grassroots-level Party Committees will be established, encompassing 2,595 communes and 713 wards or special zones, with the creation of up to 10,660 new subordinate units at the commune level.

The restructuring is projected to lead to a notable reduction in the number of civil servants. At the provincial level, there will be a decrease of more than 18,440 civil servants, while at the commune level, this figure stands at over 110,780 compared to the authorized staffing levels set in 2022. This rightsizing will be achieved through job consolidation, natural attrition, and retirement, in accordance with prevailing regulations. Furthermore, approximately 120,500 part-time personnel currently serving at the commune level will conclude their service.

The restructuring plans for the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, socio-political organizations, and mass associations tasked with central, provincial, and commune-level responsibilities are expected to result in a more streamlined and public-centric organizational apparatus. This will address long-standing challenges, including overlapping duties and the prevalence of top-heavy, inefficient structures.

The plan entails the dissolution of 90 departments at the central level, 344 at the provincial level, and 1,235 at the district level. Within the mass associations, restructuring will impact 215 out of 284 internal units, signifying a 43% reduction. Moreover, over 22,350 personnel will be reassigned from the district level to strengthen the grassroots-level operations.

The leadership demonstrated by the Politburo and the Secretariat has been assertive, coordinated, and timely. They have provided clear strategic directions and detailed implementation guidelines. Competent authorities have issued comprehensive regulations and guidance documents, thereby establishing a robust legal framework for local execution.

Effective communication has played a pivotal role in raising public awareness about the restructuring efforts, fostering a sense of consensus among officials, Party members, and the wider community.

The initial outcomes are highly encouraging, indicating that the restructuring initiative is effectively contributing to the attainment of core objectives. These include completing the organization of the political apparatus from the central to local levels, driving administrative reform, enhancing governance efficiency, reducing state expenditures, creating space for socio-economic growth, ensuring national defense and security, boosting infrastructure development, and solidifying Vietnam’s international standing and investment appeal.

The Politburo and the Secretariat concurred with the recommendations presented in the reports. They urged all Party Committees and relevant bodies to demonstrate unwavering determination and focus on effectively executing the assigned tasks, adhering to the conclusions, plans, and guidance provided by the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, and the Secretariat.

Particularly, they emphasized the need for continued leadership by Party Committees and agencies at both central and local levels in organizing grassroots-level Party congresses and preparing for provincial-level Party congresses, in line with Directive No. 45-CT/TW. Careful attention must be given to the development of congress documents and the selection of personnel in areas undergoing merger or consolidation.

Additionally, they stressed the importance of timely and lawful implementation of policies to support those impacted by the restructuring. They also encouraged the promotion of digital technologies, document digitization, and e-governance tools to enhance service delivery before, during, and after the restructuring process.

Simultaneously, they underscored the imperative of maintaining focus on socio-economic development, ensuring that national targets are met, budgets are balanced, and funds are allocated promptly to fulfill obligations related to personnel policies and organizational reforms.

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