In the process of building and promoting the strength of the great national unity bloc, mass associations assigned tasks by the Party and State always have an important position. Not only are they an organization that gathers people from all walks of life by field and profession, but the associations are also a direct bridge between the Party, the State and the People, contributing to creating a solid social foundation for political stability and sustainable development.
Entering a new stage of development, especially after the 14th Party Congress, the requirement to innovate the organization and operation of associations is no longer a technical organizational issue, but has become a strategic requirement, directly linked to consolidating the "people's heart formation", promoting the overall strength of the whole society in the new era of development.
Affirming the role in the political system and social life
Practice over the past time has shown that mass organizations assigned tasks by the Party and State have clearly promoted their roles in many aspects. From propaganda and mobilization of the People to implement the Party's guidelines and the State's policies and laws; to participating in consulting and social criticism; from humanitarian and social security activities to science and technology development, culture and arts, and people-to-people diplomacy... all associations have made practical contributions.
Especially, in the context of the country promoting digital transformation, developing the knowledge economy and deep international integration, associations have become a gathering place for intellectuals, experts, artists, and entrepreneurs - forces that play an increasingly important role in national development. Many associations have actively participated in the policy-making process, contributing tens of thousands of critical opinions and advice to draft legal documents and socio-economic development programs.
The documents of the 14th Party Congress continue to affirm: promoting the strength of great national unity is a strategic task, a driving force and an important resource for rapid and sustainable national development. In the overall picture, the Vietnam Fatherland Front system and member organizations, including mass organizations, play a core role in gathering, uniting, and promoting the strength of social strata.
Organizational restructuring – an inevitable step from practical requirements
In that context, the amendment, supplementation, promulgation and implementation of Decision No. 118-QD/TW of the Secretariat, along with Conclusion No. 230-KL/TW dated January 5, 2026 of the Politburo and the Secretariat on arranging and streamlining mass associations, has created an important political and legal framework to restructure the association system towards streamlining, effectiveness, and efficiency.
Accordingly, the system of associations at the Central level has been reviewed and adjusted to 29 associations, and at the same time, consolidated and rearranged some internal organizations in the direction of reducing focal points, overcoming overlaps, and improving operational efficiency. This is not only an adjustment in quantity, but more importantly a shift in organizational thinking, from "expanding scale" to "improving quality and substantive efficiency".
The consolidation of party organizations and associations directly under the Party Committee of the Fatherland Front and central mass organizations also marks an important turning point in the Party's leadership method, ensuring centralized and unified leadership, while strengthening political orientation for the activities of associations.
However, if viewed objectively, the current arrangement process needs to continue to be adjusted to suit the new situation. The organizational model of many associations is still cumbersome; the number of affiliated units is large; the functions and tasks of some associations are still inadequate; operational efficiency has not met practical requirements.
Issues raised from practice
One of the emerging issues today is that the operating mechanism of associations has not really kept up with development requirements. The mechanism of assigning tasks is still administrative, not closely linked to output products and actual efficiency. Meanwhile, financial resources mainly rely on the state budget, leading to limitations in the proactiveness and creativity of association organizations.
Reality shows that in the period 2021–2025, the state budget allocated to the activities of associations is still quite large, but the allocation mechanism has not really been linked to efficiency, and has not created strong enough motivation for associations to innovate their operating methods.
In addition, internal governance capacity, especially managing affiliated units, in some associations is still limited; the application of information technology and digital transformation is not synchronized; the methods of gathering and mobilizing members are still slow to innovate, not suitable for the context of the digital society and digital economy.
These limitations, if not overcome in time, will reduce the role of associations in the political system and social life.
Orienting innovation in the spirit of the 14th National Congress and Resolution 80
The 14th Party Congress set out the requirement to continue to strongly innovate the operating methods of the Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations, mass organizations to ensure practicality and effectiveness, strongly focusing on grassroots levels, taking the people as the center.
In the same vein of thinking, Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW on cultural development in the new period emphasizes the requirement to promote the role of social organizations and professional associations in building the cultural value system, Vietnamese people, and arousing the aspiration to develop the country.
Placed in that overall, the innovation of the organization and operation of associations needs to be oriented according to a number of major axes.
First of all, continue to review and improve the organizational model in the direction of streamlining, reducing intermediate levels, ensuring clear functions and tasks, avoiding overlap. The maintenance or dissolution of affiliated units must be based on the criteria of practical efficiency, in accordance with the principles and purposes.
Second, strongly shift to the "order - assign task" mechanism associated with specific products, with a clear output evaluation. State budget needs to be allocated according to the principle of efficiency and transparency, while promoting associations to gradually become financially autonomous and strengthen socialization.
Third, innovate operating methods in a modern and professional direction, taking members and people as the center of service. Promote digital transformation in governance and administration; develop platforms to connect members; improve the quality of consulting and social criticism.
Fourth, strongly promote the role of associations in grasping and reflecting the thoughts and aspirations of the People; participating in building the Party and State; contributing to consolidating social consensus - the core element of the "people's heart formation".
Innovating the organization and operation of mass associations assigned by the Party and State is an inevitable process, stemming from the development requirements of the country in the new period. This is not only an issue of organizational structure, but also an issue of improving the quality and efficiency of operations, repositioning the role of associations in the political system and social life.
When organized reasonably, operated effectively and closely linked to the interests of the People, the associations will continue to be an important force contributing to promoting the strength of great national unity, consolidating social trust, creating motivation for rapid and sustainable development - true to the spirit that the 14th Party Congress has identified.
