1. Revolution of streamlining state apparatus, rearranging administrative boundaries and rolling out two-tier local government model

On July 1, Vietnam officially launched a two-tier local government system nationwide. Following mergers, Vietnam now has 34 provinces and centrally run cities with 3,321 communes, wards, and special zones, down from 63 cities and provinces. Party General Secretary To Lam described the rearrangement as a historic, strategic decision, marking a new development era in reshaping the nation’s administrative system and fine-tuning the institution and the organization of a streamlined, effective, efficient political system toward a modern, people-centered  administration.

Vietnam undertakes a resolution to streamline the organizational structure, rearrange administrative boundaries, and operate a two-tier local government system.

Earlier, in implementing Resolution 18 of the 12th Party Central Committee, the streamlining drive slashed 4 Party organizations under the Party Central Committee; 25 Party executive committees; 16 Party-affiliated committees; 5 bodies of the National Assembly; 5 ministries and 3 government-affiliated agencies; 30 general-department–level units; 1,025 department- and bureau-level units; 4,413 sub-departments and divisions; and 240 public service units.

At the local level, the restructuring reduced 466 departments and agencies; 644 Party delegations, Party-affiliated committees, and Party executive committees; 3,984 division-level units; and 27 higher-level Party committees along with their grassroots Party organizations.

With high consensus in awareness and thinking, and a willingness to reform and sacrifice personal benefits for the common good of the nation, the Party’s major policies have been delivered in a methodical, unified, and coordinated manner and is now delivering positive results.

Vietnam adopts seven strategic resolutions ushering the country into a new era of development

These resolutions have been rapidly translated into action plans with clear responsibilities, timelines, and outcomes, and were incorporated into the draft Political Report submitted to the 14th National Party Congress.

3. National Assembly amends Constitution and adopts landmark decisions
On June 16, the 15th National Assembly unanimously passed a resolution amending the 2013 Constitution, providing a legal foundation for streamlining the state apparatus and reorganizing local governments, as well as updating regulations on the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations. 

The National Assembly amends the Constitution and passes a series of breakthrough policies.

Across two regular sessions and one extraordinary session in 2025, the National Assembly passed 89 laws and 91 resolutions, over 40% of the term’s total. The legislature introduced key issues like land, public investment, local governance, and delegation of authority for the local administrations in approving investment proposals, budget allocation and apparatus re-organization.

With the spirit of fine-tuning institutions and new thinking, the legislature turned institutional “bottlenecks” into “breakthroughs”, creating a favorable legal framework for the nation to enter a new era of rise.

4. Successful Party congresses pave the way for National Party Congress
More than 60,000 grassroots Party organizations and all 40 Party committees under the Party Central Committee completed their congresses for 2025-2030 with thorough preparation and swift post-congress stabilization. Notably, after the congresses, all 34 provincial and municipal Party secretaries are non-local, underscoring renewed determination to reform personnel affairs, improve objectivity, reduce localism, and tighten discipline in the political system. 

Party Congresses are successfully held at all levels, creating the foundation for the 14th National Party Congress

5. Highest GDP growth in five years

Despite global uncertainties, including reciprocal tariff policy of the US and severe natural disasters, Vietnam posted GDP growth of over 8% in 2025, the highest in five years. Exports are a bright spot in the economy as the structure of goods shifts towards processed and manufactured goods. Trade value was estimated at more than 920 billion USD.

Macro-economy remained stable and inflation was kept below 4%. Budget revenues exceeded projections more than 25%, reaching nearly 94 billion USD by mid-December 2025. GDP per capita approached 5,000 USD, 1.4 times higher than in 2020, placing Vietnam among upper-middle-income countries. The stock market was upgraded to secondary emerging-market status.

This performance reflects decisive, flexible governance by the government, timely leadership of the Party and State and broad political-system engagement.

The nationwide campaign to eliminate temporary and dilapidated housing concluded on August 26 after 1 year and 4 months of operation. Nearly 1.9 billion USD was raised to rebuild over 334,000 homes. On November 30, the Prime Minister also launched the “Quang Trung Campaign,” an initiative to quickly rebuild and repair homes damaged by natural disasters in central Vietnam. It aims to build 1,628 new houses before January 31, 2026, and repair 34,352 houses before December 31, 2025.

Multiple activities are implemented to strengthen social security and eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses.

Multiple breakthrough policies in education and healthcare have been adopted.  Resolution 71 sets the goal of universal preschool education for children aged 3–5 and raising the proportion of young people completing upper secondary education to at least 85% by 2030. From the 2025-2026 academic year, preschool children and students in public schools will be exempt from tuition fees. Construction has begun on 100 inter-level semi-boarding schools in border communes.

Meanwhile, Resolution 72 aims to ensure that from 2026 all citizens receive free periodic health check-ups, moving toward basic hospital fee exemptions under health insurance coverage by 2030, guaranteeing universal access to essential healthcare services.

A nation can only truly develop when no one is left behind, which is a new and vivid expression of a system of the people, by the people, and for the people.

7. Infrastructure breakthroughs serve national development

The year 2025 marks infrastructure breakthroughs which lay a foundation for a coordinated, modern infrastructure system to meet national development needs in the new era. Three ceremonies were held nationwide to commence or inaugurate key projects, on the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30), the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (September 2), and in anticipation of the 14th National Party Congress.

These 564 projects and works have a combined investment capital more than 195 billion USD. Nearly 140 projects have been completed and put into effective operation.

Breakthroughs are recorded in infrastructure, creating a solid foundation for national development

More than 3,500 kilometers of expressways have been opened to traffic; the first commercial flight has landed at Long Thanh International Airport; the National Exposition Center has been put into use along with a number of key energy projects. Simultaneously, construction has begun on Gia Binh Airport, Hon Khoai Port, the Can Gio Urban Area, the Olympic Sports Urban Area, and multiple urban railway projects. Preparations are underway for the construction of the North–South high-speed railway and projects serving APEC 2027 in Phu Quoc.

8. Grand national anniversaries celebrated

A series of commemorative events in 2025 were successfully held with historical significance and absolute safety ensured throughout. The 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day and the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification left an unprecedented impression.

Vietnam successfully organizes the grand celebration of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day and 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and National Reunification

9. Severe natural disasters wreak havoc across Vietnam

2025 was among the years on record for the most severe, intense, and unusual natural disasters in Vietnam’s history, including typhoons, widespread extreme rainfall, flooding, flash floods and landslides.

As of December 20, natural disasters had caused 468 deaths and missing persons and 741 injuries; nearly 4,200 houses were completely collapsed, destroyed, or swept away; 348,800 houses were damaged or had their roofs blown off. More than half a million hectares of rice and other crops were inundated or damaged;  71,700 cattle and 5.1 million poultry were killed or swept away; 171,800 aquaculture cages were damaged.

In addition, natural disasters ruined 1,070 kilometers of dikes, embankments, and canals, 140 kilometers of riverbanks and coastlines, and 1,260 kilometers of roads. Total losses are estimated at 3.7 billion USD, equivalent to 0.7–0.8% of Vietnam’s GDP in 2025.

Disaster response efforts were carried out in a focused, decisive, and unified manner, from the central government to local authorities. As a result, compared with many disaster-affected countries in the region and around the world, losses were significantly mitigated, demonstrating the effectiveness and experience of the entire political system in proactive disaster preparedness and response.

Vietnam's cultural industry makes its mark with a series of art programs and films that achieved record-breaking revenue and unprecedented audience numbers.

On November 14, the Prime Minister approved the Strategy for Cultural Industries Development to 2030, with a vision to 2045, targeting 10% annual growth and a 7% GDP contribution by 2030 and developed culture and entertainment industries by 2045.