Many effective models adopted for administrative reform

After two months of operation, the two-level local government model at several communes and wards across the province has quickly come into stable operation, initially handling administrative procedures effectively for both citizens and businesses.

The provincial inspection team on administrative reform works at the Public Administrative Service Centre in Nhon Trach. Photo: Nguyet Ha

Localities continue to apply effective models and innovative practices in administrative reform, ensuring faster, simpler, more convenient and safer settlement of administrative procedures for people and businesses.

Advantages of pilot communes

Phan Chi Thao, Vice Chairman of Dai Phuoc Commune People's Committee, said Dai Phuoc was among a few commune-level administrative units selected by the province to pilot the two-level local government model in mid-June 2025, before the official provincial merger and full application of the two-level local government model across the province from July 1.

“The pilot phase helped local officials and civil servants familiarise themselves with operations, especially online procedures. Officials of provincial departments and agencies promptly directly supported us to remove any obstacles arising during this test-run," Phan Chi Thao stressed.

In the first two months following the merger (July and August 2025), Dai Phuoc received over 4,100 dossiers, with a settlement rate that exceeded 99.9% on or ahead of schedule. More than 98% of applications were processed online, and over 95.3% of dossiers were fully digitised.

To achieve these results, officials, civil servants, and public employees of Dai Phuoc Commune, particularly those at the Commune's Public Administrative Service Centre, made great efforts in both operations and research, while launching the communication models on administrative reform among cadres, Party members and residents. The commune has organised focused communication campaigns, disseminating information on administrative reform via its official website and local loudspeaker system, as well as through telecommunications networks and social media. Many agencies and mass organisations have also taken advantage of social media to enhance legal education on administrative procedure reform, promote online public services and encourage electronic payments in the settlement of administrative procedures.

The Commune People's Committee, the Public Administrative Service Centre, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and socio-political organisations in the commune regularly post images and video clips to disseminate information on procedures and guidelines for using online public services and electronic payments. These are published on social media platforms such as the “Dai Phuoc Innovation” Facebook page, the Commune Women’s Union page, and the Dai Phuoc Commune People’s Committee Zalo OA account. Through these channels, cadres, members of mass organisations, and residents can conveniently access and understand administrative procedures, especially those available online.

According to Thao, several effective communication models previously recognised by higher-level authorities in 2023 and in 2024 have been maintained, including: Monday flag-raising ceremonies, “Security loudspeakers” program, mobile loudspeaker campaigns, and dissemination via television at the Commune’s One-Stop-Shop Unit on administrative reform. These efforts have been well-received by local residents.

The commune's radio station has broadcast 120 sessions, totaling 1,800 minutes, focusing on disseminating Party guidelines, State policies and laws, the operation of the two-tier local government model, and the 2025 Law on the Organisation of Local Government. Meanwhile, the Public Administrative Service Centre has utilised and screened videos and documents featuring vivid communication on administrative procedure reform and online public services, thereby facilitating easy access for residents and businesses.

Notably, the first foreign-related marriage registration under the two-level local government model was recorded between Lam Ky Kiet, a U.S. citizen of the Hoa (Chinese-Vietnamese) ethnic group, and Nguyen Thi Huong Trang, a resident of Cau Ke Hamlet, Dai Phuoc Commune. Thanks to their clear understanding of the models being implemented, Huong Trang and Kiet completed administrative procedures for marriage registration electronically. After finalising all steps, they were given an appointment to come and receive their marriage certificate at the Public Administrative Service Centre.

Deeply moved when receiving the marriage certificate and flowers from Deputy Director of the Department of Home Affairs Ha Thanh Tung and Vice Chairman of Dai Phuoc Commune People’s Committee Phan Chi Thao, Kiet shared: “I reside in the United States, so when my wife and I agreed to register our marriage, we completed the procedures online, which was extremely convenient. On the day of receiving the result, it was very touching to be presented the certificate directly by leaders of the Department of Home Affairs and the commune authorities. This is a beautiful memory for us as a couple, and we will continue to live well and build a fulfilling family life together.”

Innovation in digital transformation

At noon on a working day, officials at Phuoc An Commune Public Administration Service Centre were still diligently serving citizens. According to Dang Quoc Vu, Vice Chairman of Phuoc An Commune People’s Committee, the commune was established by merging three former communes namely Phuoc An, Vinh Thanh and Long Tho. It is now home to more than 49,000 residents across 19 hamlets.

Over the first two months of implementing the two-level model, Phuoc An processed more than 6,500 administrative dossiers. On peak days, over 200 cases were handled, mainly concerning civil status, certification and social assistance. The digitisation rate of documents reached over 99.1%, with results digitised at more than 88.8%, while timely settlement exceeded 95%.

Vice Chairman of Phuoc An Commune People's Committee Dang Quoc Vu added that, to meet work requirements and ensure that administrative dossiers are received, processed, and returned on time or ahead of schedule, the commune has implemented several effective models in administrative reform. These include applying information technology and guiding residents to submit dossiers online, reallocating all available equipment from local offices to support the handling of administrative procedures, and assigning competent, well-trained officials to the Commune Public Administrative Service Centre. This enables the centre to receive, process and resolve procedures for residents and businesses quickly, earning high appreciation from the community.

Huynh Van Em, a resident of Hamlet 2, shared his satisfaction after applying for social benefits: “The officials were enthusiastic, the system operated smoothly, and my case was settled quickly.”

At the Public Administrative Service Centres of three localities, including Nhon Trach, Phuoc An, and Dai Phuoc, citizens visiting to handle administrative procedures are offered free parking. Officials and civil servants maintain a professional and helpful attitude, providing dedicated guidance to both residents and businesses. In some places, initial steps have also been taken to connect with enterprises to support local job creation.

Meanwhile, Chau Ngoc Anh, a resident of Ba Truong Hamlet, rated the commune’s service with full marks when evaluating officials and civil servants at the commune’s Public Administrative Service Centre for their dedication in assisting residents with administrative procedures. "When I came to complete my procedures, I was warmly and thoughtfully received. The reception, processing, and result-return division provided detailed guidance and handled my administrative dossier quite quickly," Ngoc Anh said.

The above-mentioned effective models and innovative approaches currently being applied by localities have been successfully addressing administrative procedures for citizens and businesses, particularly in areas with a high volume of applications. As such, these models and approaches continue to affirm that the “two-tier local government” model truly represents a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

By: Nguyet Ha
Translated by: My Le - Thu Ha