Strategic vision for streamlining reform to enter a new era

On the morning of January 21, the 14th National Party Congress heard a keynote presentation by Nguyen Thanh Binh, Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee’s Organization Commission, on building and improving the organizational structure of the political system. Drawing on practical experience, the presentation emphasized a strategic vision for the ongoing revolution to streamline the apparatus, identifying it as a key driver for ushering the country into a new era of development.

Reporting on the breakthrough outcomes of the apparatus streamlining reform carried out under Resolution No. 18-NQ/TW, the Deputy Head of the Organization Commission noted that the organizational systems of Party, State, Viet Nam Fatherland Front, and socio-political bodies from the central to local levels have been comprehensively restructured in a synchronized, lean, and effective manner. The operation of Party delegations and Party executive committees was concluded at all levels. As a result, four central Party bodies, five National Assembly agencies, five ministries, three Government-affiliated agencies, 13 general departments and equivalents, nearly 1,500 department-level units, and more than 4,800 division-level units were reduced.

The reform also involved reducing 29 provinces and centrally governed cities, discontinuing the district-level administrative model and cutting nearly 700 districts. The number of communes and wards was reduced from more than 10,000 to 3,321, a reduction of approximately 6,700 units. Nearly 150,000 cadres, civil servants, public employees, and workers were downsized through enhanced support policies. Organizational structures were rearranged under the new model, including the reorganization of the local armed forces, courts, procuracies, inspectorates, and vertically managed sectoral agencies. Party organizations, socio-political organizations, and mass associations assigned tasks by the Party and State at the local level were also reorganized in line with administrative restructuring.

Regarding the regulatory framework, Party guidelines, State laws, and regulations of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front and mass organizations were issued in a timely and coordinated manner. These included resolutions, conclusions, regulations, decisions, and more than 70 directive documents issued by the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, and the Secretariat. In 2025, the National Assembly and its Standing Committee also enacted laws and resolutions directly related to organizational restructuring and administrative reorganization.

The newly issued legal framework has largely ensured a sufficient political and legal basis for timely restructuring, avoiding overlap while clearly defining authority and responsibility. The approach emphasizes decentralization and delegation of powers to grassroots levels, while maintaining political security and social order, and preventing complex issues before, during, and after mergers and the operation of the new organizational model.

Reviewing more than a year of implementing the organizational restructuring revolution, particularly the intensive six-month period from July 2025 to the present, Nguyen Thanh Binh affirmed that this policy is both sound and well-targeted, carrying historic significance. It has received strong support from cadres, Party members, and the public, and has been positively assessed by the international community. Beyond reducing the number of organizations, staffing levels, and recurrent expenditures, the reform has, more importantly, enhanced the effectiveness and efficiency of the system, reduced intermediate layers, and accelerated decentralization toward a people-centered, service-oriented approach. It has opened new space, unlocked resources, and created momentum for socio-economic development in the next phase.

From these achievements, the Deputy Head of the Organization Commission highlighted several key lessons learned. First is the strong, unified, and resolute leadership and direction of the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, the Secretariat, and Party committees at all levels, particularly the guiding role of the General Secretary, who has served as the chief architect of the reform.

Another lesson is the steadfast adherence to Party principles and strict compliance with the law, alongside timely institutionalization and concretization of Party guidelines, focused resolution of bottlenecks, and thorough preparation of resources. Effective forecasting based on practical reviews, close attention to domestic and international contexts, and anticipation of challenges have also been crucial, supported by clear strategies, long-term vision, and feasible, coordinated implementation plans to ensure socio-political stability.

Unity in awareness and action across the political system, a strong sense of solidarity, and a spirit of daring to think, act, and overcome challenges among cadres and public employees have helped strengthen responsibility and self-renewal. Implementation has been carried out seriously and decisively, with high accountability and flexibility, from the central to local levels, with the center leading by example. The process avoided both haste and excessive caution, applying the principle of learning while doing, and shifting from a transitional mode of “running while lining up” to a more orderly and synchronized approach. Enhanced application of science, technology, and digital transformation has been a particularly important lesson, addressing previous weaknesses in implementation.

Proactive and timely orientation of information and communications, transparency in new policies, and effective ideological work have helped raise awareness among cadres, Party members, and the public, fostering consensus within the Party and society, and minimizing information gaps that hostile forces could exploit.

From these lessons, and recognizing that current results are only an initial step, Nguyen Thanh Binh stressed that the tasks ahead remain critical. Priorities include further synchronizing Party regulations and State laws to align with the new organizational model, clearly defining functions, tasks, and structures of each agency to ensure smooth and coordinated operations. Greater and more effective decentralization between central and local levels is needed to enhance local autonomy and accountability.

The new apparatus must be operated smoothly, efficiently, and effectively, with regular reviews to promptly address difficulties. Continued internal streamlining, accelerated digital transformation, and effective management of offices and assets after restructuring are required to avoid waste. Particular attention should be given to reorganizing public service units, schools, educational and health facilities, and state-owned enterprises in line with central guidelines.

Finally, it is essential to complete personnel regulations, strengthen political and ideological education, renew thinking, and improve the quality of cadres, especially at the grassroots level. Policies to attract, utilize, and promote talent should be refined, along with the review and finalization of job position frameworks and staffing allocations for the 2026-2031 period.

Facing the requirements of a new development stage and the goal of realizing the two centennial milestones, Nguyen Thanh Binh expressed confidence that, with the determination of the entire political system, the organizational apparatus under the new model will continue to be refined and operated effectively, meeting the country’s development needs in the new era.