Since 2023, the one-stop-shop working teams at the People’s Committees of the communes in Mường Ảng district have installed surveillance camera systems to record and store data continuously during office hours. This initiative demonstrates the district’s commitment to transparency in public service and helps monitor the attitude, responsibility, and conduct of officials handling administrative procedures.

Trần Quốc Quân, Deputy Chief of the Office of the People’s Council and People’s Committee of Mường Ảng district, shared: “Previously, monitoring public service was mainly based on public feedback or random checks. With the current camera system, we can inspect at any time and quickly identify any irresponsible behavior or any inconvenience caused to the people.”

Along with electronic monitoring, Mường Ảng has accelerated administrative reforms, especially in simplifying procedures and applying information technology to receive and process documents. The district has reviewed and reduced redundant, complicated procedures, guiding the public on submitting documents and assessing satisfaction through various channels. Negative feedback is handled seriously with a “no exceptions” policy.

According to Quân, from the beginning of 2024, the reception and results processing departments at Mường Ảng district and the communes have processed 1,937 administrative procedure files, including 883 at the district level and 1,054 at the commune level. All files at the district level were processed on time. However, there were four files at the commune level marked as overdue. These were eventually resolved by the relevant officers, who provided paper results to the citizens before the deadline. The system’s delay in marking these files overdue was due to a minor oversight in digitizing and updating results. Despite this small mistake, district leaders took it seriously and instructed the responsible staff to promptly fix the issue and improve work ethics and attitudes.

In addition to tightening administrative discipline, Mường Ảng has emphasized building civil service ethics. Annually, the district People’s Committee issues plans to raise awareness and responsibilities among civil servants, linked with learning and following Hồ Chí Minh’s ideology, ethics, and style. Agencies and units regularly organize meetings or integrate discussions on professional ethics, office culture, and codes of conduct into their sessions. Furthermore, the district has strengthened monitoring of civil servants, ensuring regular interaction with the public and addressing any emerging issues regarding officials.

Đào Duy Thạch, Director of the district’s Sub-department of Home Affairs, stated: “Building a transparent, service-oriented government must be reflected through concrete actions, with discipline, ethics, and public service as the foundation. The Sub-department has advised the district leadership to review and assign officials to the right positions, ensuring no favoritism in evaluations. Officials who are slow or lack responsibility will be dealt with in accordance with regulations.”

Despite some positive changes, there remains a segment of officials and civil servants lacking the spirit of discipline, sometimes working superficially or avoiding responsibilities. Especially during the ongoing reorganization for a leaner administration, some employees have shown reluctance, fear of mistakes, and avoidance of proposals. Some units have not strictly adhered to administrative rules, affecting the quality and progress of tasks. In response to this situation, in March 2025, the Mường Ảng people’s Committee issued a directive to reinforce administrative discipline and the implementation of public service duties. The Sub-department of Home Affairs will coordinate with relevant units to increase checks, including unannounced inspections, and recommend strict measures against violations. Additionally, the department will assess and replace or transfer officials with weak skills or a lack of responsibility.

“Tightening administrative discipline, civil service ethics, and public servant conduct is not only an essential requirement in state management, but also a critical factor in building a government that is close to the people and serves them. With decisive, coordinated, and practical measures, Mường Ảng district is determined to strengthen public trust and create a solid foundation for sustainable economic and social development in the new phase,” emphasized Thạch.