VietNamNet Bridge – Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has instructed eight provinces and some ministries to make research of the urban administration model.

The eight provinces and cities that have to make research on the urban administration model include: Nghe An, Hanoi, HCM City, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Can Tho, Ba Ria - Vung Tau and Nam Dinh.

Other central agencies are also assigned this mission, consisting of: the Central Organization committee, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, the National Assembly Office, the Ministries of Defense, Public Security, Justice, Finance, Construction, Planning and Investment, Natural Resources and Environment, Home Affairs and the Vietnam Institute of Social Sciences.

The Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible to combine with the Government Office to urge relevant agencies and the above provinces to make the research.

The above ministries and provinces will have to submit their reports to the government before July 30. The plan on pilot implementation of the urban administration model will be presented to the Central Party Committee’s Secretariat.

The pilot aims to build transparent, modern, accountable and efficient local government structures with sufficient capacities, reasonable powers and effective management policies. By studying and improving the organization and operations of local governments, in addition to separating the organizational model and operational mechanisms of urban and rural administrations, the project is expected to greatly contribute to the comprehensive reform of central government.

The proposed models of urban administration in Vietnam:

For centrally-run cities, provincial capitals and towns, urban administration would consist of elective bodies (People’s Council) and administrative agencies (Administrative Committee). An Administrative Committee Chairman (or Mayor) would head the administrative agencies and would be elected by the People’s Council. The Chairman of Administrative Committee would have the right to appoint the Committee’s Vice Chairman.

For districts and wards, only administrative agencies would be established. Heads of these agencies would be directly appointed by the Chairman of Administrative Committee under centrally-run cities.

The project is expected to be completed and submitted to the Politburo and the Party’s Central Secretariat for review and comments by December. It is considered the foundation for adjustments to articles in the 1992 Constitution on local government and amendments to the organizational model and operational mechanisms of urban administration prescribed in the Law on Organization of People’s Council and People’s Committee.

Compiled by Tran Cham