In Resolution No. 122/NQ-CP on the regular Government meeting in April 2026, the Government requested to urgently complete the arrangement of villages, residential groups (TTDP), hamlets and public non-business units according to the direction and guidance of the Central Government.
In that context, many opinions from Lao Dong Newspaper readers believe that along with the organizational arrangement, special attention should be paid to the criteria for selecting village heads and residential group leaders - people who are directly involved in the daily life of people at the grassroots level.
Reader Nguyen Van Xuan believes that after arrangement, the role of village heads and residential group leaders needs to be seen more substantively because these are the people who directly solve most of the daily work at the grassroots level.
In fact, people mainly turn to village chiefs when problems occur in life, from family conflicts, neighbors to production and infrastructure issues in the locality. Meanwhile, many other titles in TTDP are less sought after by people.
According to readers, the criteria for selecting village heads should not be too focused on qualifications or form, but what is important is prestige, responsibility, understanding of the area and the ability to gather people.
Village heads need to have a voice in the community, live responsibly, not for self-interest, know how to connect and promote the strength of local people" - readers shared.
According to reader Nguyen Van Xuan, after arranging TTDP, it is necessary to select village heads and residential group leaders who are truly close to the people, understand the people and have prestige in the community.
Exchanging about this content, M.A. Nguyen Minh Nhut - a public policy expert - said that the activities of TTDP in the past have not been really effective.
According to him, the reason is that the role and functions of group leaders and village heads have not been placed in the new context of management at the grassroots level and the increasing expectations of the people.
Mr. Nhut said that the fact that TTDP mainly implements activities deployed by superiors is no longer appropriate. Instead, TTDP needs to be able to gather, mobilize people and promote self-management models in the community.
Citing experience from some countries, he said that many self-managed communities are formed on a voluntary basis to solve common problems such as security and order, environmental sanitation, community tourism development, e-commerce, traditional craft villages, social security, disaster prevention or relief.
TTDP will operate more effectively if operating models are linked to people's lifestyles, cultural activities and livelihood characteristics" - Mr. Nhut said.
Regarding the criteria for selecting village heads and residential group leaders in the context of increasing management requirements at the grassroots level, Mr. Nhut said that it is necessary to review the tasks and powers of these titles according to Circular No. 14/2018/TT-BNV and Decree No. 59/2023/ND-CP.
According to him, it is necessary to add some new tasks such as: Supporting localities in verifying population data, guiding people to implement public services, organizing mediation at the grassroots level, and receiving feedback at the scene.
This means that the criteria for selecting group leaders and village heads must also be higher. The person in charge not only needs to firmly grasp the area but also must understand the political system and the 2-level local government model" - he assessed.
