Choose the right people, assign them the right tasks.

In the initial phase of consolidation and restructuring, the success of a megacity doesn't just depend on infrastructure or planning. The key factor is choosing the right people, placing them in the right positions, and empowering officials to excel. This is the key to Ho Chi Minh City's breakthrough in infrastructure, digital economy, and modern urban governance.

Civil servants at the Xuan Hoa Ward Public Administrative Service Center process administrative procedures for citizens through the public service portal.

The "key" to operating a special urban area.

Following the merger, personnel management for the 2025-2030 term in Ho Chi Minh City is not merely about organizational restructuring, but a vital factor in realizing the city's development aspirations. As the economy and population grow, the pressure on governance demands that the administrative apparatus be led by capable, visionary, and courageous individuals. Ho Chi Minh City's experience has shown that every step forward or delay is linked to the quality and competence of its officials; therefore, personnel must be considered the "key" to urban operation.

The city is currently facing many daunting tasks. Strategic infrastructure projects such as the metro system, ring roads, and inter-regional expressways all require officials with long-term planning vision and the ability to manage complex projects. Furthermore, the shift towards a service-based economy, high technology, and a digital economy demands a leadership team that is technologically savvy, possesses innovative thinking, and can effectively collaborate with businesses. Administrative reform and the development of a digital government can only succeed if officials dare to experiment with new things, know how to manage data, have a sense of responsibility, and are determined to eliminate bureaucratic habits that hinder development. During the "testing of capacity" phase of the consolidated system, if the right people are chosen, the city will operate smoothly, unlock its potential, and strengthen social trust; conversely, if the wrong people are chosen, the system will stagnate, become fragmented, and lose opportunities for breakthroughs.

Therefore, the selection of personnel for the new term must go beyond a purely formal arrangement and instead focus on the criteria of "the right person for the right job." Officials need to possess strategic vision, implementation capabilities, strong political integrity, and a spirit of service. They must know how to connect domestic and international resources, promote innovation, and place the interests of the people at the center of all decision-making.

The first crucial criterion is a long-term planning vision and the capacity to manage large-scale projects. A special urban area cannot function without visionary individuals who can place each project within the overall development plan of the city and the region, and transform planning on paper into tangible projects that are completed on schedule and have a ripple effect. Next is the capacity for innovation and technological thinking, a key factor in the context of the digital economy and high-tech services becoming the main driving force. Leaders must understand technology, possess the capacity to collaborate with businesses, and integrate technology into the management of the administrative apparatus.

Ethics, political acumen, and a spirit of service are fundamental. Officials cannot be swayed by vested interests or the pursuit of positions and power. They must prioritize the community's interests above personal gain, resolutely fight corruption, and dare to think, act, and take responsibility. Simultaneously, they must possess the ability to connect with the people and address practical issues such as transportation, the environment, housing, healthcare, and education . Even the most modern system will lose its legitimacy if it is detached from the needs of the people. Finally, the courage to experiment and the ability to manage risks are essential for the city to maintain its leading role. To lead the way, Ho Chi Minh City must dare to try new models, accept risks within the framework of the law, and know how to adapt flexibly.

Considering various factors and the specific realities of Ho Chi Minh City, it's clear that human resources are not merely an organizational element, but a crucial foundation for institutional capacity. Choosing the right people is a starting point, but it's not enough; they must be placed in the right positions, given real authority, and a transparent institutional framework must be created to unleash their potential. In this context, the legal framework serves as the foundation, the driving force as the impetus, and the techniques as the methods to transform potential into strength and aspirations into reality.

Creating conditions to develop the capabilities of cadres.

People are always the central element of an institution. An organization may possess vast capital, modern infrastructure, and advanced technology, but if it lacks competent people to operate and lead it, all resources become wasted. For Ho Chi Minh City after the merger, choosing the right officials is not just a personnel decision, but also a core institutional capacity to transform potential into strength and aspirations into reality.

While crucial, "choosing the right person" is only the first step. For an individual to truly shoulder responsibility during a time of reform, it's essential to ensure they are placed in the right position, given appropriate authority, and provided with an institutional environment to develop their capabilities. The triad of "Law - Power - Skill" has become a standard framework, especially crucial for Ho Chi Minh City after its merger, where the scale and development pressures far exceed those of a mere urban center.

Law, that is, institutions and laws, is the foundation upon which talented individuals can thrive. Position and authority provide the real power to transform ability into results. Skill and methods of action directly determine work efficiency. Only when law, position, and skill are fully present can the workforce fully utilize their capabilities, ensure smooth operation of the system, and create momentum for development. The balance and synergy of these three elements are the prerequisite for Ho Chi Minh City to turn aspirations into reality and affirm its position as a special urban center in the new era.

Dr. Huynh Thanh Dien

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/chon-dung-nguoi-trao-dung-viec-post817439.html