The two-tier local administration model has run smoothly and effectively since July 2025 thanks to the Party Central Committee’s direction, the Government’s drastic governance, and the concerted efforts of the entire political system, said Deputy Director of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Department of Local Government Nguyen Thi Tu Thanh.

Deputy Director of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Department of Local Government Nguyen Thi Tu Thanh speaks at the press briefing.

Speaking at the ministry’s press briefing held in Hanoi on April 28, Thanh admitted difficulties in several key areas, saying that information technology system, databases, and digital infrastructure remain incomplete and poorly integrated.

Certain locality-specific utilities are glitchy on the new platforms and still need upgrades to function properly.

After slashing layers of bureaucracy and pushing more power down to the commune level, a substantial volume of work has shifted to the grassroots officials.

In many areas, the workforce is unevenly skilled, with a shortage of specialists. Additionally, certain units operate across multiple locations, making management, coordination, and day-to-day operations a real mess.

On the institutional front, while most responsibilities related to decentralisation and delegation of authority have been assigned, several tasks still lack adequate legal guidance.

Further amendments and supplementations are needed to ensure consistency, coherence, and alignment with on-the-ground realities.

Thanh said the ministry is now pushing five major groups of solutions. First, it will continue refining the institutional framework, with a focus on regulations governing decentralisation, organisational structure, and personnel management, guided by the principle of clear accountability and stronger state management effectiveness.

Second, the ministry plans a major shake-up to upgrade the quality of officials and civil servants, particularly at the grassroots level. That means reviewing and reshuffling staff to better match the jobs, plus ramping up training in everything from professional skills and digital know-how to basic customer service and accountability.

Third, it will accelerate administrative reform and build better-connected digital infrastructure and data systems between central and local levels, with the goal of finally clearing technical headaches that frustrate citizens and businesses.

Fourth, the ministry will continue managing public assets and surplus office facilities in line with local needs, making sure nothing goes to waste while improving working conditions at the commune level.

Fifth, it will intensify monitoring, supervision, and inspections, adopt timely corrective measures to boost governance effectiveness and clear emerging obstacles.

As the Government’s standing agency on the issue, the ministry will regularly assess progress and work closely with other ministries, agencies, and localities to accelerate the effort.

According to her, the ministry has already recommended the Government and Prime Minister launch a one-year review of the entire two-tier model.

It aims to figure out what’s actually working, learn from mistakes, spot the best practices, and map out a clearer path forward.

On the operation of villages and residential groups, including part-time personnel, she said the ministry has been ordered by the PM to draft a decree laying down clear rules.

The decree, which will provide the legal basis for local rollout, has undergone careful study, given its direct impact at the grassroots level.

Regarding training for People’s Council deputies at all levels, the ministry will coordinate with competent agencies to launch training courses, particularly for newly elected ones.

The courses will be tailored to real governance needs so they can actually do their jobs effectively from the outset of their terms.

Two-tier local administration model shows progress after three months: PM

The two-tier local administration apparatus has been largely consolidated with smooth operations, uninterrupted service delivery, and improved public service.

 

Politburo adopts conclusion on performance of two-tier local administration

The Politburo and the Secretariat urged timely removal of bottlenecks and inconsistencies in regulations related to operations of the new apparatus, acceleration of administrative procedure reform, further streamlining of internal apparatus, and swift restructuring and rearrangement of commune-level cadres and civil servants.

 

Two months on: Key outcomes of two-tier local government model

After nearly two months of implementation, the two-tier local government model has been operating smoothly and is gradually stabilising. This outcome reflects the concerted efforts of the entire political system, fulfils the genuine aspirations of the people, and helps address challenges and obstacles encountered in the course of development.

 

Much work still ahead to ensure smooth, effective two-tier local government model: PM

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, to date, localities have completed the restructuring of provincial and communal-level People’s Councils and People's Committees, establishing 465 specialised agencies under 34 provincial-level People’s Committees and 9,916 offices under 3,321 commune-level committees.

 

Two-tier local administration system operates stably, smoothly after one month: PM

The two-tier local administration system has initially operated in a stable and smooth manner, shifting from a management role to one of service provision and development facilitation, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed while addressing a conference reviewing one month of running this system on July 28.

 

Two-tier local government must operate in perfect manner: PM

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has urged localities in the Mekong Delta region to implement the two-tier local government model swiftly and effectively, ensuring seamless, professional, and synchronised operations.