The first four months of operating the two-level local government: New governance system, real efficiency from the grassroots

In just the first 4 months of operating the 2-level local government model, the administrative system nationwide has received and processed more than 14.5 million administrative procedure records, of which more than 12.1 million records were processed online. This number increased by nearly 2.9 million records compared to the previous period, reflecting the resilience of the new apparatus - where data becomes the center of administration, processes are shortened, and service efficiency for people and businesses is significantly improved.

At the same time, 34/34 provincial administrative procedure settlement systems have been connected seamlessly with the National Public Service Portal, more than 140 institutional documents have been issued, marking a period of administrative reform with the strongest progress in many years.

After nearly four months of operation (from July 1 to October 28, 2025), the two-level local government model is not only stable in organization, but also affirms its real effectiveness in governance and operation.

The report of the Ministry of Home Affairs submitted to the Government shows that the apparatus from the central to the grassroots level operates smoothly, coordinates smoothly, and the institutions - personnel - finance - data are completed synchronously. This process is implemented in accordance with the direction of the Politburo and the Secretariat and closely follows the goals and tasks of Plan No. 02-KH/BCĐTW on the arrangement of administrative units and the construction of a 2-level local government model. The conversion took place in an orderly and quick manner, without causing interruption to administrative activities, demonstrating the executive capacity and unity in the entire political system.

In the first 4 months of implementation, the Government and the Prime Minister have issued more than 140 normative and administrative documents , creating a unified legal corridor for the new model. Notable ones are Decree No. 278/2025/ND-CP on mandatory data sharing in the political system; Official Dispatch No. 201/CD-TTg on cutting and simplifying administrative procedures based on data; Decision No. 2319/QD-TTg establishing the National Steering Committee on Data headed by the Prime Minister. These documents not only strengthen the legal foundation for the two-level apparatus, but also shape a new way of operating - state management based on data, digital processes and interconnectivity .

Guidance and training were carried out simultaneously, helping cadres and civil servants quickly master the new mechanism. 34/34 localities and more than 3,300 communes and wards were trained in professional skills; ministries such as Science and Technology, Justice, Finance, and Construction organized dozens of specialized training courses. Synchronous coordination between levels helped reduce policy delays, ensuring that tasks were implemented simultaneously, without creating a "power vacuum" when changing models.

Along with that, the Politburo and the Secretariat issued 08 important Conclusions , serving as the basis for the Government to concretize them through 02 Resolutions and 05 executive telegrams , assigning 90 tasks to ministries and branches , of which 72 tasks have been completed or are being regularly implemented .

Up to now, 100% of localities have fully completed the leadership positions of the People's Council and People's Committee ; 465 provincial-level professional agencies and 9,916 commune-level professional departments have operated stably; 3,319 commune-level military commands have been established, ensuring security and order at the grassroots level. Nationwide, there are 136,261 commune-level cadres and civil servants , of which 94.6% meet professional standards .

Thousands of civil servants were mobilized and seconded to supplement the shortage of human resources, ensuring that all administrative agencies had people in charge. At the same time, 146,847 cadres and civil servants subject to staff streamlining had their full benefits resolved, of which 99.99% received full policies , demonstrating the seriousness and humanity in the arrangement of the apparatus.

Regarding decentralization , the proportion of tasks under the Central authority has decreased to 44% , while 56% is assigned to localities . Many localities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Nghe An, Bac Ninh have strongly delegated authority in the fields of construction, land, resources, administrative procedure settlement, shortening processes, reducing levels, increasing initiative and responsibility of the grassroots level.

In the financial sector, 100% of communes and wards have opened accounts and paid salaries through the State Treasury , ensuring budget transparency. The Ministry of Finance has allocated 3,119 billion VND to support facilities for 27 localities , along with 12.8 billion VND for 5 provinces to pilot the digitization of archive records. 17,595 surplus houses and lands have been processed, 3,177 communes and wards (95.7%) have been equipped with public service vehicles, creating conditions for modern and professional operations at the grassroots level.

In terms of digital transformation , the National Public Service Portal has become the "backbone" of the new administrative system, seamlessly connecting 34/34 provincial-level administrative procedure handling information systems , processing 14.5 million records in 4 months, of which 83% were processed online . The rate of public services throughout the process reached 37% , a sharp increase compared to the previous quarter, marking a fundamental shift from paper administration to data administration.

Under the direction of General Secretary To Lam , the work of standardizing, cleaning data and unifying the results of administrative procedure settlement is being deployed nationwide according to the principle of "correct - sufficient - clean - live - unified - shared data" , creating the foundation for modern and transparent governance.

After 4 months of operation, the 2-level local government model has proven its feasibility and effectiveness, with a streamlined apparatus, complete institutions, seamless data, clear authority, and faster service to the people . This is not only the result of an administrative reform, but also a concrete step in implementing Plan No. 02-KH/BCĐTW, contributing to perfecting the institution, enhancing state governance capacity, and moving towards a professional, modern administration serving the people, businesses, and international integration .

Center for Science and Technology Communication

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/bon-thang-dau-van-hanh-chinh-quyen-dia-phuong-02-cap-he-thong-quan-tri-moi-hieu-qua-thuc-chat-tu-co-so-197251031153530821.htm