The guiding principle is to prevent any disruption to public services, ensuring seamless and uninterrupted operations that do not affect citizens or businesses. Following the mergers, provincial-level agencies have swiftly resumed their duties, demonstrating a proactive and decisive approach. While organizational structures have undergone adjustments, stability is quickly being restored, with agencies and departments efficiently handing over responsibilities and carrying out their functions with urgency and determination.

The Politburo and the Secretariat have provided continuous directives through Conclusion No.126-KL/TW and Conclusion No.127-KL/TW, outlining a clear roadmap for the development of restructuring plans and the transition to a two-tier local government. Conclusion No.127-KL/TW mandates that the merger of provinces, the elimination of district-level units, and the consolidation of commune-level entities must be conducted objectively, aligned with real-world conditions. The overarching aim is to eliminate overlapping functions, reduce administrative fragmentation, streamline cumbersome intermediary structures, and ensure smooth, effective governance. Furthermore, these reforms seek to enhance the leadership role of the Party and meet the demands of the new era.

In parallel with the restructuring process, the relationships between different levels of local government must be clearly defined to ensure smooth, coordinated, and effective operations. Each agency’s tasks and responsibilities have been clearly assigned, fostering a high level of consensus across the political system from the central to the local level. To ensure successful implementation, it is essential to promote public awareness, guide public opinion, and foster consensus among civil servants and the broader population.

While the initiative to streamline the administrative system enjoys strong public support, it is not without challenges, particularly in terms of the mindset of civil servants and public employees. Given the vast workload and the critical political tasks at hand, the process demands resolute leadership from key figures in the Party, government, and mass organizations. Although there is broad agreement on the principles and objectives, the implementation phase has raised concerns, hesitation, and uncertainty among various stakeholders. Mergers inevitably lead to organizational restructuring, staff reallocations, and changes in work locations, all of which directly impact working conditions and raise anxieties about job security.

This, in turn, has led to delays in decision-making among civil servants, concerns among citizens regarding administrative procedures and access to public services due to geographical distances, and hesitation among businesses waiting for the completion of mergers before making investment decisions. These are tangible obstacles that must be addressed through effective communication and awareness campaigns to foster consensus and responsibility in executing the restructuring plans.

In practice, the merger of provincial-level agencies has already resulted in surplus personnel. The upcoming consolidation of provinces and communes, along with the elimination of district-level units, will leave a significant number of civil servants uncertain about their future positions. To ensure a scientifically sound basis for these decisions, the Politburo has emphasized that, in addition to considering population size and geographical area, thorough research must be conducted on national, regional, and local development plans, economic and social development strategies, sectoral growth priorities, spatial expansion opportunities, and comparative advantages to align with each locality’s development needs and the strategic direction of the new phase. Recently, the provincial People’s Committee issued directives to temporarily suspend certain urban and rural planning, urban development, and architectural management activities during the restructuring process.

The reorganization and streamlining of the Party, government, and mass organization apparatus is a revolutionary undertaking that is bound to face difficulties and challenges during implementation. At this critical juncture, Party and government leaders, as well as every cadre and Party member, must demonstrate their leadership, resolve, and commitment to successfully completing the restructuring process. Once the organizational framework is fully optimized, it will create opportunities to harness potential, maximize strengths, and drive comprehensive and sustainable development at the local and national levels.