Breakthrough step toward new era of progress

Nearly a century of revolutionary leadership in Vietnam has shown that the Communist Party has consistently upheld Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought in shaping both strategic direction and policy. However, this same historical experience also reveals the Party's adaptive, innovative, and pragmatic application of Marxist principles to Vietnam’s current reality.

One such adaptation is the implementation of the two-tier local government model, marking a qualitative leap in administrative reform. This model reflects the aspiration for a government that is not only “of the people, for the people,” but more importantly, one that is truly “close to the people and rooted in the people”, an ambition recently emphasized by General Secretary To Lam.

Civil servants working at Tan Trieu ward Public Administrative Service Center.

Building a government that is “close to the people, connected with the people,” and dedicated to serving the people​​​​

The success of the August Revolution in 1945 and the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was a historic breakthrough, an extraordinary transformation not only in Vietnam’s own national trajectory, but also in the broader struggle against colonialism and imperialism worldwide.

On September 2, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, officially founding the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. From that moment, a new type of state was born, a true people’s government, established by the people and for their benefit. Power was placed in the hands of the people, who formed institutions to serve the majority of working citizens. All public officials became civil servants of the people, entrusted to implement the will and aspirations of society. Article 1 of the 1946 Constitution proclaimed: “Vietnam is a democratic republic. All power in the country belongs to the entire Vietnamese people, regardless of race, gender, wealth, class, or religion.”

Thus, in the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, the people were the fundamental source of state power. Over the past 80 years, under Party leadership, Vietnam has built a state apparatus that serves the people and has achieved remarkable successes. The socialist state in Vietnam today is truly one “of the people, by the people, and for the people.”

However, in today’s context, the explosive growth of global technological revolutions is exerting profound and direct influence on Vietnam. In response, at the 9th session of the 15th National Assembly, a resolution was overwhelmingly approved to amend several provisions of the 2013 Constitution and the Law on Organization of Local Government (amended in 2025). This legal shift institutionalized the nationwide application of a unified two-tier local government model, with clearly defined responsibilities and structures at each level. This move reflects the Party’s timely and forward-looking decisions tailored to the specific conditions of Vietnam. The nation’s traditional principle “of the people, by the people, and for the people” has now evolved into a more advanced model, one that is truly close to the people, rooted in community, and committed to serving public interest in a tangible, effective manner.

Speaking at the closing session of the 12th Plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee, General Secretary To Lam emphasized: “The Party Central Committee agrees that the initial implementation of the two-tier local government model in 34 provinces and cities, encompassing 3,321 communes, wards, and special zones, has been smooth. The government apparatus has functioned stably, without major disruptions. Civil servants are adapting well, procedures are becoming more streamlined, and public services are being delivered more efficiently. The public has responded positively and expects greater results from this new model.”

With the guidance of the Party Central Committee and General Secretary To Lam at the helm, Vietnam officially launched the two-tier local government system (province and commune) on July 1, 2025. The aim is to build a government closer to and more responsive to citizens, thereby opening a new chapter in national development with a vision extending at least a century into the future. This reform represents an innovative application of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought to the current revolutionary phase in Vietnam.

Addressing real-world demands

Initial results show that the new two-tier local government system has created favorable conditions for stronger task delegation and coordination between central and local authorities. It has established a more direct and efficient vertical chain of command, in line with the Party’s directive to “reduce intermediate layers.” This structure ensures that Party resolutions, government policies, and legal regulations reach citizens more swiftly, improving public service delivery with direct, tangible benefits. This reflects the spirit of governance whereby “what falls under local jurisdiction shall be decided, implemented, and held accountable by local authorities themselves.”

The reform has also enabled greater personnel mobility. By eliminating the distinction between commune- and provincial-level civil servants, officials can now be rotated, seconded, or reassigned across levels. This fluidity creates a more cohesive and agile governance apparatus at the local level and promotes unity within the civil service, especially within the same province.

Moreover, the model helps improve the quality of public services by implementing Politburo resolutions on administrative transparency and cost efficiency. Reducing intermediate levels cuts both human resource and infrastructure expenses. This eliminates fragmented public investment, freeing up budget resources for better services, human development, and local infrastructure. Importantly, these savings also allow for improved salaries and living conditions for civil servants, helping them to better focus on their duties and serve citizens and businesses more effectively.

By L.Thach-N.Hoa/ Translated by M.Nguyet-H.Trang