Hanoi (VNA) 🦋- Vietnam’s transition to a two-tier local administration model marks a significant shift in the organisation of the State apparatus, redefining the role of grassroots officials as central figures in the delivery of public services and governance.

Under the new framework, commune-level governments, once considered limited in capacity and authority, have been empowered to take on expanded responsibilities and play a key role in implementing State policies at the local level. The reform is being implemented in alignment with Resolution No. 18-NQ/TW and other decisions issued by the Party Central Committee on restructuring the political system. It aims to create a streamlined, efficient, and accountable administration through decentralisation, legal standardisation, and strengthened capacity at all levels. In the process of comprehensive national renewal, to ensure the effective operation of the two-tier government model, officials, civil servants, and public employees is a decisive factor. Therefore, the National Assembly has passed the amended Law on Cadres and Civil Servants, which creates a solid legal framework for building a unified, interconnected, and synchronized civil service system from the central to the commune level. This is a historic step that eliminates the boundaries between officials at the commune and provincial levels, ensuring that all officials are evaluated and appointed based on their actual capabilities.

Under the recently adopted revised Law on Local Government Organisation, commune-level chairpersons and their teams are now legally entrusted with 17 to 23 core tasks, depending on the scale and nature of the locality. These include managing civil status, social welfare, education, public health, land and construction affairs, local dispute resolution, and more. As such, they serve as the State’s first point of contact with the people and are essential in ensuring the effective implementation of national policies. Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra stressed the need for commune officials to have a solid understanding of their administrative, legal, and social responsibilities. “In the new two-tier model, grassroots cadres must not only perform day-to-day functions but also manage a wider range of complex duties. Their capacity, integrity, and dedication will directly influence the quality of public services and citizen satisfaction,” she said. To support this transformation, the Government has issued policies aimed at professionalising commune-level human resources. These include higher qualification requirements, career promotion pathways, performance-based evaluation systems, and clearer definitions of job responsibilities. Importantly, commune cadres can now be appointed to higher administrative roles based on merit, enabling upward mobility within the system.

Former Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Nguyen Tien Dinh observed that the reform addresses long-standing gaps in local governance. He noted that previously, commune officials were treated differently in terms of recruitment, training, and career opportunities. The new framework provides them with a unified status, allowing for rotation and promotion across administrative levels. The reform has also received support from international development partners. UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam Ramla Khalidi emphasised the importance of investing in local human capital.

She stated that for successful decentralisation, commune-level officials must be adequately trained, fairly compensated, and clearly guided. Their role is crucial, particularly in rural and disadvantaged areas where they are the face of government for many citizens. Beyond administrative capability, political education and staff management are considered vital in ensuring a smooth transition. At a recent Politburo meeting, Party General Secretary To Lam underlined the importance of cadre deployment and ideological training, especially for those affected by restructuring. He stressed the need to uphold internal unity and stability while carrying out reforms, calling on officials to place national interests above personal concerns.

In a published article on the topic, the General Secretary wrote that “building a compact, effective, and efficient administrative system requires strong leadership, collective effort, and the political will to overcome resistance to change.” He called on the entire political system to show determination in pushing forward with the reform process. As Vietnam enters a new phase of state governance, commune-level officials are expected to shoulder greater responsibilities in service delivery, local planning, and administrative reform. Their evolving role marks a departure from a traditionally top-down governance model toward a more inclusive, responsive, and locally empowered system. The two-tier model, while still in the early stages of implementation, offers a strategic foundation for long-term national development. By strengthening grassroots capacity and ensuring alignment across administrative levels, Vietnam aims to build a state that is both closer to the people and better able to serve them. The success of this reform will depend not only on institutional design but also on the ability and commitment of commune-level cadres to rise to the occasion. As the nation continues on its path of renewal, grassroots officials are emerging not merely as administrators but as key contributors to the country’s vision of a modern, citizen-oriented public administration./.