"Results-oriented, not office-hours-bound approach" – Dong Nai’s message for a new phase

With the central government approving the policy to establish Dong Nai as a centrally governed city, the province is standing before “golden” opportunities for making strong breakthroughs.

Officials, civil servants in Tan Trieu ward handle administrative procedures. Photo: Phuong Hang.

As Dong Nai moves toward becoming a centrally governed city, the entire political system must transform its awareness, mindset, working style and methods toward urban governance approach, thereby meeting the demands of the new development phase.

Contributing to Dong Nai’s development

At a historically significant moment for Dong Nai, the standing members of the Provincial Party Committee has delivered a clear message for a new operational phase: “results-oriented, not office-hours-bound approach,” aiming to drive sweeping changes across the province in line with its development requirements.

According to Thai Bao, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee (PPC) and Head of the PPC’s Organization Commission, this direction follows Notice No. 21-TB/VPTW dated March 7, 2026, issued by the Party Central Committee's  Office, conveying the conclusions of Party General Secretary To Lam at a working session with the Party Central Committee’s Organization Commission; as well as conclusions by Vu Hong Van, member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the PPC and Head of Dong Nai delegation of National Assembly (NA) deputies, at the conference reviewing the election of deputies to the 16th NA and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 tenure.

In response, the Provincial Party Standing Committee issued Official Dispatch No. 1293-CV/TU dated April 7, 2026 to implement these directives.

One key point emphasized in the document is the commitment of the entire political system, as well as each standing member of the Provincial Party Committee, to strongly renewing mindset and working methods in the spirit of “results-oriented, not office-hours-bound approach.” Leaders, officials, civil servants, agencies and units are required to develop specific programs and plans tied to clear targets and timelines for assigned tasks.

During urgent and peak periods, working hours will be extended, even on days off, to resolve pending dossiers and cases, particularly in areas such as public investment, administrative procedures for businesses, land management, planning, construction, site clearance and social welfare.

At a conference held on April 13, 2026 to disseminate information on the establishment of Dong Nai as a centrally governed city, Secretary Vu Hong Van briefed key provincial officials on the process of formulating the proposal. He stressed that the move reflects the will and aspiration of generations of provincial leaders. Building on that aspiration, the resolution of the first Provincial Party Congress for the 2025–2030 tenure sets a target for Dong Nai to basically meet the criteria of a centrally governed city by 2030.

Turning its will and aspiration into action, after nine months of operating the two-tier local government model, Dong Nai has recorded encouraging results. By the end of 2025, the province’s GRDP growth approached double digits, while state budget revenue exceeded VND100 trillion for the first time.

On the basis of these achievements, and in line with the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress, Dong Nai has clearly recognized its responsibility in the current era—to compete alongside 34 provincial and municipal Party Organizations nationwide, and to position itself as one of the country’s key growth poles.

To shoulder such a role, the province must transition from a rural governance model to an urban one, while also proposing special mechanisms to the central government to unlock further development.

Given that Dong Nai has now met the required criteria for centrally governed city status, in recent months, the standing members and Standing Board of the PPC have, in some weeks, handled workload several times higher than usual to complete the proposal in a remarkably short period.

Notably, the preparation of the proposal has been brought forward by 10 years compared to the timeline set in the Provincial Party Congress resolution for the 2025–2030 tenure.

Launching a widespread emulation movement

The tireless working spirit of provincial leaders has spread widely, permeating agencies and units from the provincial to grassroots levels.

Trinh Thi Ngoc Nga, Standing Deputy Secretary of Tan Trieu ward Party Committee, noted that the ward is home to 128,730 residents across 30 neighborhoods, with more than 1,000 Party members. With a large population and a shortage of personnel, several departments are under heavy workload pressure. To keep up with progress, officials and civil servants often work through weekends, with office lights remaining on late into the night.

To ensure tangible outputs and drive strong development of Dong Nai in the coming period, under its Official Dispatch No. 1293-CV/TU, the provincial Party Standing Committee, assigns the PPC’s Inspection Commission to take the lead, in coordination with the Party Committee of the Provincial People’s Committee, the PPC’s Office and relevant agencies, in strengthening inspection and supervision of public service performance among officials and Party members across the provincial Party Organization.

It also calls for strict handling of violations, irresponsibility, avoidance and reluctance to act, emphasizing that underperformance must not be treated the same as effective performance.

Nguyen Quoc Vu, Party Secretary and Chairman of the People’s Council of Ho Nai ward, shared that the ward has recently launched a campaign encouraging officials, civil servants and public employees to actively respond to the guideline on “results-oriented, not office-hours-bound approach”.

At the launch ceremony, the ward People’s Committee introduced an emulation plan for Saturday working sessions involving officials of the Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Nai ward. Through this emulation movement, each individual and unit is required to adopt concrete solutions and take decisive action to accelerate the handling of backlogged cases, improve administrative reform indicators and create the most favorable conditions for residents and businesses.

This emulation movement, in which work completion - not office hours - serves as the benchmark, is seen as a measure of each individual’s contribution to local development. More importantly, it reflects a spirit of responsibility, dedication and people-centered service among officials, civil servants and public employees, contributing to the building of a friendly, modern administration capable of meeting development demands in the new phase, especially as Dong Nai becomes a centrally governed city in the time ahead.

By P.Hang – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha