According to the results announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs on the Administrative Reform Index (PAR INDEX) and the People's satisfaction Index with the services of state administrative agencies (SIPAS) in 2024 presented at the regular Government Meeting on April 6, 2025, Lang Son province reached 88.11% of the PAR INDEX index, ranked 39th out of 63 provinces and cities. Thus, Lang Son is in group B (results from 80% to under 90%), up 2.17% and up 8 places compared to 2023.
However, in the complete opposite, the province's SIPAS index reached a record low, only 79.19%, ranked 62/63 provinces and cities, down 0.11% and down 7 places compared to the previous year. This is Lang Son's lowest result since 2017 - the time when the Ministry of Home Affairs started ranking the SIPAS index nationwide.
Also according to the announcement, the 5 provinces and cities with the highest SIPAS index in 2024 are: Hai Phong, Thai Nguyen, Hai Duong, Quang Ninh and Ba Ria - Vung Tau. In contrast, the 5 lowest provinces include: Bac Kan, Lang Son, Quang Nam, An Giang and Quang Ngai.
A quick survey in Lang Son city and Cao Loc and Van Quan districts shows that many people no longer complain harshly but also do not have much expectation for positive changes.
"Cadres now have supporting machines, but the attitude is still... machine. Just close the book on time. People coming a little late is an appointment for another day" - Mr. N.V.D, a resident of Gia Cat commune, Cao Loc district, shared.
They are not in the wrong process but one thing they lack is dedication. Many elderly and ethnic minorities go to do procedures without understanding, but few people patiently guide them thoroughly" - Ms. M.T.H, a secondary school teacher in Bac Son district, added.
Responding to the unprecedented low SIPAS results, Mr. Duong Xuan Huyen - Vice Chairman of Lang Son Provincial People's Committee - said: "Receiving this result, Lang Son provincial government was quite surprised. Currently, the province is waiting for a specific report from the Ministry of Home Affairs, thereby clearly identifying the cause to have appropriate solutions."
Along with that, some opinions from the government also said that the index decreased partly due to people's expectations increasingly high, while the actual conditions in mountainous localities like Lang Son still had many difficulties, limitations in infrastructure, human resources and educational qualifications were not uniform.
"As soon as we determine the cause and point out the limitations, we will request to rectify the shortcomings and limitations to better serve the people," said the leader of Lang Son Provincial People's Committee.
In 2024, it was the 8th consecutive year of the Ministry of Home Affairs to measure SIPAS - an important indicator to objectively assess the quality of service of state administrative agencies from the perspective of people. This is also a tool to promote the construction of the administrative service, publicity, transparency, and the people as the center, contributing to the effective implementation of the Government's overall state administrative reform program for the period 2021-2030 of the Government.
