The spirit of the August Revolution - driving force for today's renewal cause

The immortal spirit of the August Revolution is not only a source of pride in history but also a valuable lesson that has been creatively applied in today's renewal cause, especially the "revolution" of streamlining the apparatus, administrative reform, and creating strong development momentum for Dong Nai province.

Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Nai province Vo Tan Duc. Photo: Khac Gioi

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day September 2, Comrade Vo Tan Duc, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, granted an interview to reporters from Dong Nai Newspaper, Radio, and Television about applying the successful lessons learned from the August Revolution to the "revolution" of streamlining the apparatus and developing the economy and society of Dong Nai province to become increasingly prosperous.

The spirit of Great National Unity and innovation, creativity

🔴 Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Vo Tan Duc, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day September 2, could you share with readers of Dong Nai Newspaper, Radio, and Television the historical values and lessons learned from this event for the development of the province?

- The 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (September 2) is an occasion for us to look back at the glorious journey of the nation. This is not only a great historical event for the whole country but also holds profound significance for Dong Nai.

Eighty years ago, the people of Dong Nai (formerly Bien Hoa province) simultaneously rose up, seized power for the people, and wrote a glorious page in the nation's history. Nowadays, proceeding with the heroic tradition of the August Revolution, Dong Nai is carrying out a new revolution - a revolution of intellect and technology. With the aspiration to rise, the province is resolutely promoting innovation, industrialization, and modernization, aiming to build a beautiful, civilized, modern Dong Nai, on par with developed provinces and cities nationwide.

This event is a brilliant milestone, opening an era of independence and freedom for the nation. The greatest lesson we draw is the spirit of great national unity, togetherness in heart and mind under the leadership of the Party, and burning patriotism. That is the invincible strength for us to overcome all challenges.

As for Dong Nai, from the tradition of previous revolutionary movements, the August Revolution forged the resilient and indomitable spirit of the people. That spirit has been inherited and strongly promoted in the two resistance wars against French colonialists and American imperialists, and in the construction and development of the province later. It is that spirit that has helped Dong Nai transform from a difficult land into a leading industrial and economic center nationwide.

🔴 As a locality with a rich revolutionary tradition, how has Dong Nai applied its resilient spirit in carrying out administrative reform and streamlining the apparatus today?

- I believe that the revolutionary spirit is not only about fighting for independence but also about innovation, creativity, daring to think, daring to do to serve the people. In the current administrative reform and apparatus streamlining in Dong Nai, that spirit has been clearly demonstrated. As you can see, streamlining the apparatus and merging units is a difficult process that requires decisiveness. We identify this as a "revolution" in management, requiring efforts to eliminate cumbersome procedures and unnecessary intermediate layers to improve efficiency. All changes are aimed at better serving the people and businesses. The spirit of dedication, fearlessness in the face of difficulties, for the common good is the continuation of our ancestors' revolutionary spirit.

Promoting the glorious revolutionary tradition of the nation, the spirit of the August Revolution, Dong Nai province has set out 8 key tasks and 3 strategic breakthroughs to realize its development aspirations.

🔴 In the process of reorganizing the apparatus, what challenges has Dong Nai faced and what breakthrough solutions have been implemented to address them?

- The process of streamlining the organizations, rearranging agencies and units, and implementing a two-tier local government is a very significant undertaking. First and foremost, it presents a challenge in terms of mindset and the psychological reluctance of some officials to change. Secondly, there are obstacles related to mechanisms and policies, especially in personnel arrangement and resolving benefits for redundant officials.

Dong Nai has overcome its challenges through decisive leadership from the Provincial Party Committee, Provincial People's Council, and Provincial People's Committee. The province has developed a specific roadmap and clear steps, ensuring transparency and openness. At the same time, it has focused on effective communication and advocacy to help officials and the public understand the purpose and significance of this endeavor. With a spirit of openness and willingness to listen, the province has received high consensus.

Streamlining the apparatus, implementing administrative reform to enhance satisfaction of people and businesses

🔴 In the implementation of the Central resolutions on streamlining the apparatus, in your opinion, what is the most outstanding achievement Dong Nai has made?

- Dong Nai has achieved many positive results, especially in operating the two-tier local government model.

In the very first month of implementing the model, agencies from the provincial to communal levels operated smoothly, with no interruptions in administrative procedure resolution. The new administrative units maintained one-stop shop operations, ensuring timely receipt and processing of dossiers for people and businesses. In the first month alone, the entire province received over 85,000 dossiers, with over 98% resolved on time or ahead of schedule.

In post-reorganization period, the apparatus operates more efficiently, coordination among units has improved, and work is resolved more quickly. This is an important step forward in enhancing the leadership and operational capacity of the government.

Thai Bao (center), Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Commission, Secretary of the Party Committee of Provincial Party Agencies of Dong Nai; Ha Anh Dung (4th from right), Member of the the Provincial Standing Party Committee, Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dong Nai Province; Ho Van Ha (4th from left), Provincial Party Committee Member, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Nai Province; representatives of the construction unit and investor press the button at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Ma Da Bridge Investment and Construction Project. Photo: Trung Quang

🔴 What specific improvements in service quality and the satisfaction levels of citizens and businesses have been achieved as a result of the recent accomplishments?

- As I mentioned earlier, the ultimate goal of all reforms is to improve the quality of service for the people and the business community. Streamlining the apparatus has significantly shortened the time for resolving administrative procedures; processes are digitized, public, and transparent. People no longer have to wait long or make multiple trips.

For example, the model of administrative procedures independent of jurisdictional boundaries has been implemented, allowing people to perform some procedures regardless of their places of residence, which is very convenient.

The investment and business environment has also become more open and favorable. Procedures related to land, construction, and business registration are processed quickly, creating conditions for businesses to invest and run their business with peace of mind. The satisfaction of people and businesses is the clearest measure of the success of this reform.

Promoting the spirit of the August Revolution, building a prosperous and civilized Dong Nai

🔴 Could you please tell us, in the coming time, what breakthrough solutions will Dong Nai focus on to continue streamlining the apparatus and improve the quality of officials and civil servants?

- Dong Nai will focus on several breakthrough solutions. First, the province will accelerate digital transformation, apply information technology in all areas of management and operation; build an e-government, moving towards a digital government. To date, 100% of departments, sectors, communes, wards has implemented electronic document management softwares, while the system for electronic document exchange between levels is operating stably.

Second, Dong Nai will improve the quality of human resources, focusing on training and fostering a professional, modern, ethical, and highly competent team of cadres and civil servants to meet the demands of the new era.

Third, the province will perfect mechanisms and policies, especially those that encourage creativity and renewal, creating a healthy competitive environment for cadres to develop their capability and dedication.

🔴 With the goal of achieving double-digit economic growth in 2025 and subsequent years, what key solutions will Dong Nai implement to realize this goal?

Vice Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Vo Tan Duc inspects the Ho Chi Minh City’s Ring Road 3 Project. Photo: Pham Tung

- The double-digit growth target requires high determination. With a streamlined and more effective apparatus, the province focuses on the following solutions. Regarding investment attraction, priority is given to high-tech, environmentally friendly, and less labor-intensive projects. At the same time, the province continues to improve the investment environment and enhance the PCI index.

In the last 7 months of 2025, the province attracted over 64 trillion VND in domestic capital (65 new projects, 28 capital increase projects). Its Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) attraction reached over 1.8 billion USD, with supplementary capital accounting for a large proportion. Currently, Dong Nai manages over 2,460 domestic projects with a total capital of nearly 535 trillion VND and 2,199 effective FDI projects with a registered capital of 41.6 billion USD. These figures reflect the attractiveness and development potential of Dong Nai for both domestic and foreign investors.

Regarding infrastructure, the province continues to focus resources on key projects such as Long Thanh Airport, expressways, ring roads, provincial roads, etc. These are strong drivers for development. Notably, on August 19, the province simultaneously commenced, broke ground on, and inaugurated 8 key projects with a total capital of tens of trillions of VND.

In the first 6 months of 2025, the GRDP growth rate of Dong Nai province reached 8.23% (ranking 13th out of 34 provinces and cities, higher than the national average growth rate of 7.52%). One month after the merger, the province continued to maintain its economic growth momentum, investment attraction, and merchandise export turnover. As of early August, domestic investment attraction reached over 64 trillion VND and FDI attraction reached 1.8 billion USD.

The province continues to implement administrative reform by shortening the time for resolving procedures, especially regarding land and construction, so that projects can be implemented early.

🔴 On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2, what message do you want to convey to the cadres, party members, businesses, and people of the province?

- On this occasion, I want to convey the message: Together, let's continue to promote the spirit of solidarity, self-reliance, and self-improvement of the August Revolution. Cadres and Party members should keep the revolutionary flame burning brightly in every decision and action; work with the highest sense of responsibility, taking the satisfaction of the people and businesses as the goal. Every cadre and Party member should be an example of courage, wisdom, ethics, and the aspiration to contribute.

The business community should feel secure in their investment and production; the province is committed to always accompanying and creating all favorable conditions for development. The people of Dong Nai should join hands and unite to build a homeland that is increasingly prosperous, beautiful, and civilized, worthy of its resilient revolutionary tradition.

🔴 Thank you, Sir!

 By:  Khac Gioi - Hoang Loc

Translated by: Mai Nga – Thu Ha