Dong Nai restructures administration for new urban model

The official transition of Dong Nai to an urban governance model not only opens a new phase of development but also creates an urgent need to build a streamlined and modern administrative apparatus capable of meeting the demands of urban governance.

Officials and civil servants at Nhon Trach ward Public Administrative Service Center handle administrative procedures for residents. Photo: Ho Thao

From the grassroots level to the city administration, the process of consolidating organizational structures, standardizing functions and responsibilities, and putting operational foundations in place is being carried out in a synchronized manner.

Reorganizing the system from the grassroots level

In Nhon Trach Ward, the ward People’s Council recently held its first session for the 2026–2031 term, approving a number of key contents related to the organizational structure following the locality’s transition to an urban administrative model.

Under the new framework, local authorities agreed to rename hamlets as residential quarters in order to standardize grassroots residential units. At the same time, the ward approved a plan to reorganize the Economic Division into the Division of Economy, Infrastructure and Urban Affairs, adding responsibilities for planning, construction, transport, urban development and technical infrastructure management.

According to Nguyen Binh Nam, Vice Chairman of the Nhon Trach ward People’s Council, restructuring the grassroots apparatus is an inevitable requirement as the locality transitions to an urban model. He noted that reorganizing residential units and restructuring specialized divisions represent not only administrative adjustments, but also preparations for a more specialized governance system aligned with urban characteristics and improved public services.

The upgrade of the administrative model will only be meaningful when residents can clearly feel positive changes in the way public agencies serve them. People expect administrative procedures to become faster and more transparent after Dong Nai becomes a city, while officials should be closer to residents and administrative processing more professional.

 Nguyen Thi Hong, a resident of Tran Bien ward.

Alongside grassroots restructuring, Dong Nai is also reviewing and reorganizing its entire system of specialized agencies and public service units to ensure continuity and stability under the new urban model. Under the plan, existing agencies and units will remain intact upon the establishment of Dong Nai City, while inheriting all ongoing records, work programs, legal rights and obligations.

On that basis, agencies will continue reviewing their functions, duties, working regulations and internal procedures to ensure alignment with the new governance model.

Previously, city leaders assigned the Department of Home Affairs to develop organizational plans for specialized agencies under the Dong Nai City People’s Committee, while also advising on personnel arrangements and guiding the consolidation of commune- and ward-level apparatuses in line with urban characteristics.

The restructuring process has been defined not merely as an administrative merger, but as a comprehensive review of functions and responsibilities to ensure that every unit and position meets the requirements of urban governance.

At a meeting on April 27 regarding preparations for operating the urban administration model, Nguyen Van Ut, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee (now Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee and Chairman of the Dong Nai City People’s Committee) stressed that the transition process must remain smooth and uninterrupted across all sectors.

He emphasized that the restructuring must not create additional administrative procedures or cause inconvenience for residents and businesses.

Toward effective urban governance

To ensure the new apparatus operates effectively from day one, Dong Nai has accelerated the standardization of digital governance and public administrative services. Administrative procedures across the locality have been reviewed, standardized and synchronized within the management system, while the administrative processing platform is ready for integration with the National Public Service Portal under the new operating model.

Pham Van Trinh, Director of the Department of Science and Technology, said shared systems such as document management, digital signatures, data connectivity platforms, electronic portals and connection infrastructure have all been reviewed, tested and adjusted synchronously to ensure smooth and uninterrupted operation of the urban administration system.

At a recent voter meeting with National Assembly (NA) deputies following the first session of the 16th NA, Le Truong Son, Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai City People’s Committee, said the city would continue strengthening resources for grassroots levels while accelerating digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI) applications and the use of digital data in governance and administration to improve operational efficiency. In addition, the city is developing a job-position catalogue based on clear responsibilities and proper personnel allocation, while gradually applying modern public-sector management methods linked to performance evaluation.

As a civil servant directly working at the grassroots level, Tran Viet Tu from Bau Ham commune Public Administrative Service Center said that urban governance brings greater work pressure, faster processing requirements and higher public expectations regarding service quality. This requires every official and civil servant to continuously improve professional qualifications, skills and working methods.

The transition to urban status is opening up major development opportunities for Dong Nai, but it also requires a comprehensive upgrade in governance capacity. From organizational restructuring and reforming specialized agencies to standardizing digital platforms and improving workforce quality, Dong Nai is gradually building an administrative system suited to the demands of a modern urban center.

By Ho Thao – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha