(VOVWORLD) - The time is right for a revolution in streamlining Vietnam's political apparatus. Enhancing the effectiveness, efficiency, and cohesion of the political system is a critical priority of the Party and the State. The recent plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee on Monday, along with recent remarks by General Secretary To Lam, underscored this process as a revolution that needs unity in thought and action across the Party and the entire political system.
 At the plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee on November 25, 2024 (Photo: VNA) |
Over the past two decades, efforts to restructure and streamline the apparatus in Vietnam have yielded notable achievements, particularly following the adoption of Resolution 18 at the 6th Plenum of the 12th Party Central Committee in 2017 on reforming and reorganizing the political system to enhance its effectiveness and efficiency.
Right time
In his closing speech at the recent plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee on November 25, General Secretary To Lam emphasized that the Party Central Committee unanimously agreed to review and advance Resolution 18 and were determined to review the Resolution and report to the Party Central Committee a detailed plan for restructuring the apparatus in the first quarter of 2025.
 Party General Secretary To Lam speaks at the plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee on November 25, 2024 (Photo: VOV) |
Under the Party guideline, the State plays a crucial role in transitioning from state management to national governance and so do the Vietnam Fatherland Front, socio-political organizations, occupational organizations, and businesses. It’s now the right time to streamline the political system and mobilize combined resources for national development.
The current push for streamlining the apparatus comes amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution, characterized by advancements in information technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation. These developments provide an opportune moment to modernize administrative systems, improve professionalism in civil service, and enhance public services delivery.
Moreover, this effort aligns with preparations for 2025 Party Congresses at all levels. Successfully implementing these reforms ahead of the congresses will stabilize the political apparatus and ensure its sustainability over future terms.
Defining a revolutionary approach
The ongoing reform is revolutionary in its comprehensive and coordinated approach, encompassing all levels of the political system from the central to the grassroots level. Central agencies are leading by example. General Secretary To Lam emphasized the need for "running and lining up at the same time.”
In order to make the revolution successful, General Secretary To Lam called for unity of awareness, high political determination, drastic action, and sacrifice for the common interests of the nation.
Reform does not mean just physical reductions in agencies or personnel, but comprehensively restructuring, clarifying functions and tasks, and eliminating redundancy to foster a more efficient organizational structure.
The focus is on creating a streamlined system that reduces budgetary burdens, enhances inter-agency coordination, and improves delivery of services to the public in an increasingly competitive global environment.
The process demands scientific rigor, caution, a holistic perspective, and a structure suited to current and future needs.
Trần Anh Tuấn, Chairman of the Vietnam Association for Administrative Sciences, said: "The Party Central Committee has established a Steering Committee to review and evaluate the implementation of Resolution 18. The Government and the National Assembly have also established steering committees. These are the clearest demonstrations of awareness, ideology, and direction, ensuring decisive action, not prolonging the time, and meeting the requirements of national development in the current period."
The revolution in streamlining the apparatus is the foundation of a new development stage aimed at Vietnam’s larger development goals.