On the morning of February 5, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly discussed the draft amendments to the Law on Government Organization, with a key focus on enhancing decentralization and delegation of power.

Presenting the government’s proposal, Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra emphasized the need to refine the organizational and operational principles of the government, ensuring greater efficiency and legal clarity in the responsibilities of the Prime Minister, ministers, and other government officials. The proposed amendments aim to create a more dynamic and effective governance system while fostering a socialist rule-of-law state.

The government has introduced three new policy directions in the amendment. The first is to clarify the government's relationship with central institutions, including the National Assembly, Supreme People's Court, Supreme People's Procuracy, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front.

The second involves defining the roles and responsibilities of the Prime Minister, ministers, and government agencies. The third focuses on strengthening the relationship between the central government and local authorities, ensuring more autonomy for provincial administrations.

According to Chairman of the National Assembly’s Law Committee, Hoang Thanh Tung, the Standing Committee agrees that decentralization and delegation are crucial.

The amendments will provide a legal foundation for increasing local autonomy while ensuring accountability. The reforms aim to boost innovation, efficiency, and responsibility in public administration.

However, Tung also recommended further clarification of decentralization principles, defining which entities receive delegated powers and establishing clear accountability mechanisms. He emphasized that decentralization must be synchronized with administrative reforms to streamline procedures and improve service delivery to businesses and citizens.

Ending the “ask-and-give” system

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man stated that the amendments should grant the government greater authority to act proactively. He highlighted that the ultimate goal of the reforms is to remove bureaucratic hurdles and facilitate national development.

He metaphorically described the approach as ensuring that “soft ties must still bind tightly,” emphasizing the need for both flexibility and strict regulation.

Man underscored the need to align decentralization rules in the revised Law on Government Organization with related laws, including the Law on Local Government Organization, the Law on the National Assembly Organization, and laws governing legal and oversight functions.

He suggested a thorough review of the legislation, ensuring that reforms remain effective for at least three years before a full-scale reassessment.

Highlighting the importance of clear role separation between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, Man cited the late General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s principle of "right role, right responsibility."

He also referenced General Secretary To Lam’s vision of local governance, emphasizing that local governments should have decision-making authority, execution responsibility, and accountability, while the central government focuses on policy and oversight.

“The National Assembly will no longer manage public investment project lists or budget allocations, instead granting a block of funding to the government, which will then distribute it to localities. This marks the end of the ‘ask-and-give’ mechanism,” Man affirmed.

He also stressed the importance of transparency in delegation and decentralization, noting that while responsibilities may be delegated, excessive control at higher levels often persists.

“We frequently discuss administrative reforms, but have we truly streamlined processes? In practice, while powers may be delegated, approvals from higher authorities are often still required,” he pointed out.

Man urged further clarification of responsibilities, warning against passing responsibility without proper capacity-building. He observed that some localities handle administrative tasks effectively without seeking central intervention, while others frequently blame legal and procedural constraints.

“I see some provinces achieving high growth and strong budget revenues without complaints. Meanwhile, other localities blame laws and regulations for their challenges,” he remarked, emphasizing the need for greater autonomy and accountability.

He also revealed that under the new decentralization strategy, local governments, particularly at the commune level, will be significantly strengthened. Upcoming reforms will eliminate district-level inspectorates and police departments, transferring more responsibilities directly to commune-level authorities.

"In governance, we should avoid half-measures. If we’re committed to reform, we must build a clear, well-structured system without unnecessary middle layers," he stated.

Comprehensive implementation and next steps

Following the discussions, Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra reaffirmed that the amendments reflect a progressive shift in legislative thinking. She emphasized that the reforms must be comprehensive, well-coordinated, and legally sound.

The government has simultaneously drafted three key decrees alongside the law, detailing the functions, responsibilities, and organizational structures of ministries and government agencies at all levels. These decrees will ensure seamless implementation once the law is passed.

The draft law, which consists of five chapters and 35 articles, streamlines two chapters and 15 articles compared to the current version. The National Assembly will review and vote on the amendments at an extraordinary session next week.

Thu Hang