Building a more effective grassroots government

After one year of operating under the two-tier local government model, a new phase of significant reform is unfolding in the organization of the state apparatus. As more responsibilities and authority are directly delegated to commune-level administrations, the need to identify and replace underperforming officials has become essential to ensuring an efficient, effective and responsive system.

In the past, shortcomings at the grassroots level could sometimes be mitigated through multiple layers of administration. Under the new model, however, the distance between government and citizens has been significantly reduced. Commune-level officials are no longer responsible solely for routine administrative tasks; they are now directly involved in addressing a wide range of issues related to socio-economic development, social welfare, land management, investment, digital transformation and administrative reform.

Experience from previous years shows that obstacles to administrative reform often stem not from policies or institutional frameworks, but from human factors. In some localities, certain officials have adopted a passive approach to work, been reluctant to innovate, avoided difficult responsibilities or hesitated to tackle challenging issues. Others have struggled to keep pace with digital transformation, lacking the necessary technological skills and causing delays in administrative procedures.

Such shortcomings not only reduce the effectiveness of government operations but also directly undermine public trust.

For this reason, the evaluation of public officials must be based on concrete work performance rather than vague or general assessments. Criteria such as the timeliness of processing administrative procedures, the quality of professional advice, a sense of responsibility, citizen satisfaction, the ability to coordinate with colleagues and compliance with workplace discipline should become key indicators in performance reviews. Officials who consistently fail to fulfill their duties, avoid responsibility or do not meet professional requirements should be retrained, reassigned to more suitable positions or replaced in accordance with regulations.

The two-tier local government model places greater responsibilities on commune-level officials than ever before. It also means there is no longer a “safe zone” for complacency, irresponsibility or inadequate competence. Screening out and replacing officials who fail to meet the demands of the job is a necessary step toward building a streamlined, strong, efficient and effective administrative system - one that puts citizens at the center and serves the country’s development in the new era.

Thuy Chau