The Directive states that administrative reform is one of the Party and State’s guiding principles in the national doi moi (renewal) and development causes, and one of the breakthrough solutions for socio-economic development. The 13th National Party Congress’ Resolution set forth orientations for national development through 2030, that is “Build and perfect a law-based socialist state which is transparent, strong, and streamlined and operates effectively and efficiently for the people and for national development”. Despite certain achievements, the actual implementation of administrative reform indicates that administrative reform in some industries, sectors and localities remained slow, unsatisfactory, and failed to meet national development requirements.

Based on realities and the continued realisation of the Party’s guiding principles and lines related to administrative reform, and to satisfy the increased demand of individuals, enterprises and society under strong impacts of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and deeper international economic integration, the Government promulgated the General Programme on State Administrative Reform for the 2021 – 2030 period as stipulated in Resolution No 76/NQ-CP dated 15 July 2021 (hereinafter referred to as General Programme). To intensify the implementation of the General Programme synchronously, consistently, and effectively, the Prime Minister instructs:

Ministries, sectors and localities should thoroughly perceive the Party’s guiding principles and lines on accelerating administrative reform, developing an administration for the people, which is democratic, professional, modern, transparent, strong, streamlined, effective, and efficient, contributing to national development; focusing on the people and using the people’s satisfaction as a gauge to assess the operation of the State administrative apparatus. The implementation of emerging issues which are not covered by existing regulations, ministries, sectors and localities can be piloted and gradually multiplied based on experience learnt. Administrative reform is the responsibility of the whole political system, thus, it is necessary to strengthen the leadership role of all-level Party Committees, and the unanimity of individuals, organisations and society in implementing administrative reform tasks and duties.

Ministers, heads of ministerial-level bodies, Government agencies and chairpersons of Central cities and provinces must directly lead and instruct the implementation of the General Programme and be accountable before the Government and Prime Minister for the results and progress of administration reform; strengthen inspection; seriously, modestly and objectively assess the results of administrative reform; tighten discipline; define responsibility of individuals and organisations in implementing administrative reform. It is essential to further improve quality and effectiveness of monitoring and evaluating the Public Administration Reform Index (PAR INDEX) of ministries, ministerial-level bodies, people’s committees of Central cities and provinces; gauge, define the Satisfaction Index of Public Administration Services (SIPAS), the Satisfaction Index of the quality of public education, healthcare services in line with the General Programme and with reality, ensuring a comprehensive, objective, balanced, and timely assessment and a full and multidimensional manifestation of administrative reform outcomes by ministries, sectors and localities.

Illustrative Photo: Accelerating the implementation of the General Programme on State administrative reform for the 2021 – 2030 period

The Directive clearly states that it is essential to effectively implement and fulfil important tasks assigned by the Government and Prime Minister, that is:

To continue perfecting the socialist market-oriented economic institutions, unleash resources, generate investment in an equal, open and favourable investment environment; renew and enhance the quality of composing and issuing legal normative documents and law enforcement. To perfect business and competition institutions, facilitate enterprises to develop in a healthy manner, reduce informal transaction costs, enhance openness and transparency, and improve the prevention of and fight against corruption. To promote and perfect decentralisation of institutions and mechanisms to clearly define tasks, powers, authority and responsibilities between the Government and ministries, sectors; between the Government, Prime Minister, ministries, sectors and localities to make sure State management is consistent, bringing into full play the proactiveness and creativity of each level, sector and locality, especially the leader.

To reform administrative procedures more drastically, practically and effectively; which should focus on reviewing, reducing and simplifying business conditions and regulations, and administrative procedures which are cumbersome, complicated, and unnecessary, especially procedures that hinder business and production activities, and other administrative procedures directly related to the people and businesses. To increase the application of information technology and digital technology to standardise and simplify processes and supply smart utilities to facilitate individuals and enterprises in solving administrative procedures. 

The Directive stresses the necessity to organise the receipt and settlement of dossiers; reduce delays in the settlement of administrative dossiers; and improve the attitude and professionalism of staff working at one-stop shops to better serve the people.

To reinforce the formation and completion of policies and law related to State administrative apparatus organisation as stipulated in the Resolution No 18-NQ/TW and Resolution No 19-NQ/TW issued by the 12th Party Central Committee’s sixth plenary session. To pilot the transfer of some State public administrative duties and services to enterprises, and social organisations; from which expand suitable and effective models.

To prioritise resources for and the implementation of e-Government and digital Government development, in which it is necessary to concentrate into perfecting the legal framework and national databases, applications and platforms to strongly renovate the traditional method of directing, operating and managing to the one based on electronic platforms and digital data, in order to enhance the quality of public administration bodies and of services for individuals and organisations in the digital environment./.