Improving the Legal Framework to Enhance the Operational Efficiency of the Two-Tier Local Government Model

The Ministry of Home Affairs, in its capacity as the standing body of the Government’s Steering Committee, has actively advised the Government Party Committee to report to the Politburo and the Secretariat on matters related to decentralization, delegation of authority, and the delineation of powers.

Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra affirmed that ministries and ministerial-level agencies will continue to study, advise, and submit to competent authorities legal normative documents to improve the legal framework for the two-tier local government model. At the same time, standing teams, working groups, hotlines, and dedicated electronic portals are consistently maintained to strengthen connections and promptly address petitions and feedback from the grassroots level.

The Ministry is also urgently finalizing draft resolutions to be submitted to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly (SCNA) regarding the number of Vice Chairpersons and Vice Heads of the People’s Councils (PC) at the provincial and commune levels, as well as the number of full-time PC deputies. In addition, the Ministry is submitting to the Government several important decrees, including those regulating the framework for the number of Vice Chairpersons of the People’s Committees (PCo), the organizational structure of the PCo, and the model working regulations of the PCo at the provincial and commune levels.

Furthermore, ministries and ministerial-level agencies continue to develop legal normative documents and guidance to ensure the effective implementation of this model. Several difficult issues and obstacles have been addressed through guidance documents issued by the ministries and sectors, which have definitively resolved matters within their management fields.

One notable solution is the deployment of department-level leaders and highly specialized civil servants to localities to grasp the situation and provide professional guidance. For instance, the Ministry of Home Affairs has dispatched 34 department-level leaders and civil servants to the grassroots level to monitor developments and report results to the Ministry on a weekly and even daily basis. These officials also report difficulties and obstacles so that the Support Team can promptly provide assistance.

In parallel, numerous conferences and online training courses have been organized, covering areas such as ethnic and religious affairs, foreign affairs, civil status, financial management, construction, agriculture, and environmental management. These activities not only enhance the capacity of grassroots officials but also contribute to greater transparency and professionalism in administration.

To receive and promptly handle feedback and petitions from localities, citizens, and enterprises, ministries and ministerial-level agencies have established standing teams, working groups, and hotlines (via Zalo or telephone), as well as dedicated web pages and specialized columns.

The Ministry of Home Affairs maintains a Standing Task Force to receive and respond to feedback through three main channels: the Ministry’s official e-Portal, a direct telephone hotline, and a Zalo group. Information is also collected via weekly periodic reports from localities and reports from civil servants assigned to provide on-site support.

Thanks to these efforts, many obstacles in operating the two-tier local government model have been guided and resolved definitively. Central ministries and agencies have proactively monitored the actual situation, promptly reported and proposed solutions, thereby ensuring the smooth and stable operation of the two-tier local government.

The two-tier local government model has been and continues to play an important role in socio-economic management and administration. Although certain difficulties remain, with the resolute direction of the Central Government, the coordinated efforts of ministries and sectors, and the proactive spirit of grassroots authorities, existing obstacles are gradually being removed.

A government that is close to the people, attentive to the people, and serves the people will form an essential foundation, contributing to enhancing the effectiveness of state administration, promoting socio-economic development, and strengthening public trust in the administrative apparatus.