Stabilizing the organization

In the first days of operating under the new two‑tier local government model, the Party Committee and authorities of Pú Nhung commune acted flexibly, adopting synchronized measures: overcoming difficulties in facilities, arranging job positions according to officials’ abilities, strengths, and expertise, and directing staff at the commune’s Public Administrative Service Centers to focus on processing administrative procedures for residents. The commune also strengthened communications to ensure that residents clearly understood the merger policy, the new administrative structure, office locations, and service points to make transactions as convenient as possible.

The Pú Nhung commune’s Public Administrative Service Center is equipped with 2 scanners, 1 photocopier, 4 computers, and 4 printers to support the digitization of citizens’ and businesses’ documents during transactions. The commune People’s Committee has reviewed and updated administrative procedure processes and posted them publicly at the commune office (with a QR code for online access). The commune police have their own venue to provide 25 essential public services for residents and businesses; each hamlet has a digital community team to assist locals.

Mr. Sùng A Dia, a resident of Xá Tự Hamlet, shared: “I came to get my child’s birth certificate, and the officials guided me to fill in the information and submit the application online quickly and conveniently. I’m very happy.”

From July 1-28, Pú Nhung commune received 279 applications (223 in person, 56 online), processed and returned results for 256, with the remainder still within the processing period.

According to Mr. Tòng Văn Nghiến, Vice Chairman of the Pú Nhung commune People’s Committee, despite positive results, there are still limitations: cramped office space, low‑specification (and sometimes unstable) computers and scanners, occasional slow internet connections, newly configured civil status software prone to errors, and authentication software accounts not yet configured, affecting application processing.

Efforts to address obstacles

During the initial implementation of the two‑tier government model, difficulties are unavoidable, such as incomplete institutional guidance, newly assigned staff still adapting to their roles, and inadequate facilities, technical infrastructure, and human resources.

To address these challenges, on July 10, the provincial People’s Committee held an online conference with 45 communes and wards to review early results since the official rollout.

At the conference, Chairman Lê Thành Đô directed communes and wards to urgently review and issue regulations on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structures of professional departments and Public Administrative Service Centers; allocate staff appropriately based on structure, job requirements, and qualifications; and identify staffing needs for vacant positions to be consolidated and submitted to the Department of Home Affairs for balancing and allocation across localities. Relevant departments were tasked with promptly providing temporary funding for local Party committees, authorities, and mass organizations, especially for paying salaries, repairing offices, and purchasing essential equipment.

In terms of IT infrastructure for administrative procedures, the province has completed and launched its Data Center. Offices and technical equipment for commune‑level Public Administrative Service Centers have been allocated. The configuration of 1,644 administrative procedures (100%) has been completed; 1,190 online public services have been connected and integrated into the National Public Service Portal. The provincial administrative procedure processing system is now integrated with the Ministry of Science and Technology’s EMC system. All 45 commune‑level Public Administrative Service Centers have publicly posted 100% of procedures within their jurisdiction. Notably, Na Sang and Thanh Nưa communes and Điện Biên Phủ ward have been equipped with AI kiosks to help citizens search and receive guidance on administrative procedures.

For human resources, 100% of officials involved in receiving, processing, and resolving administrative procedures have been issued accounts to use the provincial administrative procedure processing system (3,000 accounts in total). The provincial People’s Committee has also organized training sessions to resolve operational difficulties for 1,263 officials. Thanks to this, administrative processing for citizens and businesses has been smooth and uninterrupted. In the first week alone (July 1-8), the province received 1,316 applications, 775 at provincial departments and 541 at commune and ward levels.

Although challenges remain, the first month of operating the two‑tier local government system has produced positive signals. The new administrative apparatus has been deployed comprehensively, ensuring smooth and stable operations, staying close to and engaged with the people, and promptly addressing arising issues, especially in administrative service delivery for citizens and businesses.