HCMC – The Politburo and the Secretariat have announced plans to overhaul Vietnam’s political system, merging ministries and streamlining the Party’s organizations at the central level to improve efficiency and governance.
The major restructuring plan was presented at a national hybrid conference held today, December 1, where top leaders introduced Resolution 18 of the 12th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and measures for boosting social and economic activities this year and next.
The meeting also reviewed 2024’s socio-economic performance, identified strategies for 2025, and addressed institutional bottlenecks.
As part of the restructuring efforts, several ministries will be merged. The ministries of Planning-Investment and Finance, as well as the ministries of Transport and Construction, are among those proposed for consolidation.
The ministries of Information-Communications and Science-Technology may be combined to focus on digital transformation.
The ministries of Natural Resources-Environment and Agriculture-Rural Development are expected to merge. The Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs would be dissolved, with its key functions transferred to other ministries.
The Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises (CMSC) and the National Financial Supervisory Commission can be abolished. These agencies’ functions would be integrated into the Ministry of Finance, the State Bank of Vietnam, and other relevant bodies.
Le Minh Hung, head of the Organization Commission of the Party Central Committee (PCC), said this overhaul would lead to a reduction of at least five ministries and two Government agencies.
The authorities also plan to streamline the National Assembly (NA) and its Standing Committee organizations by merging related committees. The Economic and Finance-Budget committees, the Social and Culture-Education committees, and the Justice and Law committees can be combined.
This move is expected to reduce the number of committees in the NA by four and eliminate one agency under its Standing Committee, according to Hung.
The Party is set to restructure its central-level organizations. This includes merging the PCC’s Commission for Information and Education with the Commission for Mass Mobilization.
The Commission for External Relations may cease to exist. Its primary responsibilities would be transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with some of the remaining functions delegated to the PCC Office.
The Vietnam Fatherland Front and other affiliated organizations will also undergo a review to streamline operations.
Hung stated all relevant agencies must submit their restructuring reports by the end of this year. A summarized proposal will be presented to the Politburo in February 2025, with final approval expected at the PCC plenum in March next year.
