VNU-USSH publishes National Report on Administrative Reform in Vietnam

Practical value of the Report in the context of Vietnam's "streamlining of the apparatus"
The Country Report is published annually within the framework of cooperation between the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (USSH), Justus Liebig Giessen University (JLU), and the Hanns Seidel Foundation in Vietnam, to create a forum for academic research and policy dialogue on pressing social issues.

According to experts, public administration is an indispensable component of a modern state and contributes significantly to the present and future existence of the nation. In particular, to ensure a prosperous society, public administration must be constantly adjusted to adapt to new challenges. Therefore, administrative reforms are of utmost importance. The current administrative reform is being implemented by the Vietnamese Government with a strong determination to create a major change in the national administrative structure. The ongoing reforms can be considered the most ambitious restructuring of the administrative apparatus, if not the entire country, since the beginning of the Doi Moi process.
In this context, this issue of the Vietnam Country Report focuses on the topic of administrative reform, a far-reaching and fast-paced reform process that is taking place in Vietnam. Faced with such a strong and multi-dimensional change, the studies in the report attempt to interpret, organize and apply theoretical frameworks and previous experiences to provide a clear, logical and systematic view of the ongoing developments. On the other hand, the main objective of the research on this topic is to identify the driving force, the immediate and long-term impacts, as well as the prospects of the current “streamlining of the apparatus”. In addition, scientifically-based proposals on solutions to improve the effectiveness of the administrative reform process are also put forward.

According to Mr. Michael Siegner (Chief Representative of Hanns Seidel Organization in Vietnam), administrative reform in Vietnam is one of the most ambitious and transformative governance initiatives since the Doi Moi period. The process of restructuring ministries, streamlining the state apparatus, along with promoting the development of e-government, all aim to form a leaner, more transparent and more responsive administration to the needs of society. These changes are important for maintaining economic growth momentum and achieving Vietnam's long-term development goals.
However, such a comprehensive reform program also poses many challenges, from harmonizing the legal system, restructuring public sector human resources, to ensuring that increased efficiency does not come at the expense of inclusiveness or quality of public services.

Scientific value and policy implications
The “Country Report: Public Administration Reform in Vietnam” 2025 focuses on public administration reform and its multidimensional impacts on national governance and socio-economic development. The articles in the publication cover a wide range of topics: the process of formation and development of Vietnam’s administrative system; current reform priorities; local decentralization and e-government; as well as comparative perspectives from Europe.

Accordingly, the Report is divided into four parts, of which the first part provides an overview of current administrative reform issues, referring to international experience and the case of Vietnam (author Detlef Briesen).
The second part of the country report focuses on the overall assessment of the effectiveness of public administration in Vietnam from the perspective of the public, the government and the academic community. Specifically, it includes a study on the historical development of the public administration (author Nguyen Manh Dung), an overall study of planned reform programs and their depth (authors Do Huong Lan and Trinh Ngoc Thach); a study on the approach to administrative reform in Vietnam (author Nguyen Hong Hai); and additional research on the necessity and urgency of reform from the perspective of the public (author Nguyen Thi Thuy Hang).
The third part of the report illustrates classic administrative reform strategies through examples of recent innovations, specifically: research focusing on innovation of processes and human resources in the administrative system, through research on the legislative activities of the National Assembly of Vietnam (author Do Phu Hai); research examining adjustments to the structure of the Vietnamese political system (author Vu Thi Anh Thu); research analyzing the establishment of regional administrative units, along with the redefinition of boundaries and responsibilities of provinces and centrally run cities (authors Nguyen Van Chieu and Hoang Thanh Lich); and research discussing the possibility of applying a multi-level administrative model based on the circular economy in Vietnam (authors Michael Siegner and Trinh Ngoc Mai). In addition, two studies compare the experiences of European countries on administrative reform related to digital transformation (author Sabine Kuhlmann) and the issue of decentralization (author Soeren Keil). Finally, the report includes a comprehensive study of changes and factors related to the administrative system structure and administrative reform process in Vietnam (author Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang).    

Through the “Country Report: Administrative Reform in Vietnam”, scientists and experts expect to provide useful analysis and promote dialogue among academics, policy makers, practitioners, students and development partners on this important topic. In the context of Vietnam preparing for the 14th National Congress of the Party, the lessons learned in the current reform period will contribute to shaping the national governance architecture for decades to come.

Since 2020, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, in collaboration with Justus-Liebig Universität Gießen (Germany), with the support of the Hanns Seidel Foundation (Germany), has compiled and published a series of annual Country Reports on Vietnam to provide updated information to the research and policy-making community on important social issues in the country's development process.
Since the first publication “Vietnam as an Aging Society” launched in January 2021, the Report series has published 07 issues with practical topics such as: Environmental policy in Vietnam, Vietnam – A Digital Society, Overcoming the consequences of war in Vietnam, Women in Vietnamese society, Labor market in Vietnam and Policy implementation in Vietnam. The reports have received many positive responses from researchers and policy practitioners.

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