The Prime Minister has signed and issued Directive 08/CT-TTg in 2026 on organizing the first meeting of People's Councils at all levels for the term 2026 - 2031 and continuing to improve the quality and efficiency of the operation of local governments at 2 levels.
According to the directive, the Ministry of Home Affairs is assigned to prepare a preliminary review of 1 year of operation of the 2-level local government (in June 2026), and localities to assess the decentralization and delegation of power.
Provincial People's Committees organize preliminary reviews of 1 year of operating local governments at 2 levels according to the guidance of competent authorities.
Implementing this task, on March 23, the Government Office said that in Notice No. 143/TB-VPCP, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra assigned the Ministry of Home Affairs to preside over and coordinate with ministries, branches, and localities to advise and propose to competent authorities to organize an assessment and preliminary review of 1 year of implementing the arrangement of administrative units at all levels and the operation of local governments at 2 levels.
Regarding the task associated with the goal of improving the quality and efficiency of the operation of local governments at 2 levels, the Deputy Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Home Affairs to continue training and fostering professional skills for grassroots governments, contributing to ensuring that local governments at 2 levels operate smoothly and effectively in the new situation.
Promptly establish a Rapid Response Working Group of the Ministry of Home Affairs, closely coordinate with the Government Office (the focal point is the Department of Public Service Organization) to monitor and closely follow the contents of the conclusions of the inspection and supervision delegation of the Politburo, the Secretariat and the results of regular inspection and supervision of the Central Inspection Committee; promptly report and advise competent authorities to direct the resolution of issues related to the operation of local authorities at 2 levels.
Preside over and coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to thoroughly review the tasks assigned in the Conclusions of the Central Executive Committee, the Politburo, and the Secretariat from July 1, 2025 to date; clearly identify which tasks have been completed and which have not been completed; report to the Deputy Prime Minister to promptly direct relevant ministries and agencies, ensuring no omission of assigned tasks.
The Ministry of Home Affairs coordinates with relevant ministries and sectors to develop an assessment report on the implementation of decentralization and delegation of power; comprehensively review regulations on decentralization and delegation of power, propose contents that need to be adjusted, contents that need to be further guided; advise the Government to amend and supplement relevant Decrees to ensure synchronization, unity, and feasibility when implementing, completing no later than March 25, 2026.
The Ministry strictly implements periodic reports on the implementation of local governments at 2 levels according to regulations (on the 25th of each month).
Overall review of relevant legal documents to both meet practical requirements and promptly institutionalize Party regulations related to local authorities at 2 levels.
Guiding and urging provinces and cities to urgently implement the recognition of urban administrative units at the commune level (completed in June 2026).
Proactively coordinate with provinces that are currently developing projects to establish centrally-run cities in completing dossiers and implementing procedures in accordance with regulations.
