Prime Minister orders swift implementation of two-tier local administration model

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has just signed an official dispatch, directing ministries, sectors and localities to focus on key tasks for the deployment of new two-tier local administration model, which is set to take effect from July 1, 2025.

Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.

Guidance on administrative procedures

Ministries and localities must monitor the rollout of decentralisation policies under Official Dispatch 87/CD-TTg and promptly resolve issues to maintain smooth operations.

They are also required to update and publish administrative procedures on the national database, as outlined in Official Dispatch 90/CD-TTg, with clear guidance for citizens, organisations and businesses.

Localities must closely oversee the formation of specialised provincial agencies, ensuring they align with central guidelines and meet all required criteria.

Redundancy-related entitlements payment no later than June 30

The PM also urges a thorough review and streamlining of procedures to ensure prompt payment of entitlements for public employees and civil servants made redundant due to the restructuring. Those who have already received redundancy decisions must be paid no later than June 30, 2025.

Ministries and sectors must maintain active task forces and hotlines to receive and handle queries and recommendations from local authorities and agencies. Exemplary units and individuals will be commended, while underperformers will face criticism or disciplinary action.

Instruction manual for commune-level People's Committees

Ministries must urgently issue circulars on decentralisation by June 25, 2025 and update or repeal outdated regulations to align with the new legal framework.

The Ministry of Home Affairs is tasked with advising on the approval of leaders in 23 new provinces and centrally-run cities and completing a handbook for commune-level People’s Committees by June 30.

Pilot operations of two-tier administration model

The Ministry of Justice, the Government Inspectorate, and local authorities must complete the reorganisation of inspection and civil judgment enforcement agencies, as directed by the Politburo and the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat.

Localities will begin piloting the two-tier local administration model by convening official meetings, operating management systems, and launching public service centres to handle administrative procedures and inter-agency coordination./.