The competitiveness index provides impetus for administrative reform.

The DDCI index survey has been implemented in 53 provinces/cities nationwide for many years, but this is the first time Ho Chi Minh City has conducted such a survey. This index assesses many criteria, including transparency and access to information; informal costs; time costs; fair competition; business support; legal institutions; effectiveness and efficiency of departments and agencies; the role of leaders; and also includes an assessment of IT application and digital transformation. When announcing the DDCI index in May 2024, Mr. Dinh Tuan Minh - Head of the DDCI Consulting Group - stated that the essence of the index assessing the competitiveness of departments and localities in Ho Chi Minh City is built upon the foundation of the provincial-level competitiveness index. At the same time, the DDCI index empowers businesses to evaluate government agencies regarding service quality, investment and business environment, etc.

According to Mr. Phan Van Mai, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, the city has unique characteristics with its large economic scale and the largest number of businesses in the country. However, lagging behind in the assessment of the DDCI index shows that Ho Chi Minh City needs to continue to "improve as it goes" to better suit the reality. The DDCI results also serve as a basis for departments, agencies, and localities in Ho Chi Minh City to recognize and assess their strengths and weaknesses, and from there develop solutions for improvement in the following years. In particular, the improved results of the indicators will also be the basis for evaluating the annual performance of departments, agencies, and localities.

Many believe that, alongside already well-known provincial-level survey indicators such as PAPI, PAR Index, and PCI, the first-ever publication of the DDCI survey demonstrates Ho Chi Minh City's strong determination to reform the state management apparatus at all levels and within each department, agency, and unit of the city. This places a task on all levels of the city to continue improving the institutional framework through transparency and openness in state management processes, policies, and plans, aiming for accountability and responsibility. From there, citizens will have a basis to exercise their right to self-governance and effectively monitor the government's performance.

However, not all citizens understand the DDCI (Provincial Competitiveness Index), therefore, it is necessary to strengthen communication and raise public awareness in coordinating the survey and monitoring the implementation of solutions to improve the investment environment and the competitiveness of urban governments. The DDCI must create momentum for administrative reform and continuously improve the investment and business environment to be favorable, open, and transparent. From there, citizens and businesses are the direct beneficiaries of innovative mechanisms and policies.

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