Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are now permitted to appoint up to 10 additional deputy directors for provincial departments, beyond the general staffing limits set by a new government regulation.

This is outlined in Decree No. 370/2025, issued by the government to restructure specialized agencies under provincial, municipal, and commune-level People's Committees. The decree officially takes effect from January 1, 2026.

The regulation states that the number of deputies in any agency must not exceed the number of deputies at the immediately higher administrative level.

Where agencies are at the same level, those without internal subdivisions must also keep their deputy count lower than those with internal divisions.

During periods of administrative restructuring, a temporary surplus in the number of deputies may be allowed. However, within five years from the date such organizational changes take effect, the number of deputies must conform to the new limits.

Increased allowances for Hanoi and HCMC

Deputy directors of provincial departments are appointed by the chairpersons of provincial People’s Committees, based on recommendations from department directors. These deputy directors support the directors in carrying out specific tasks.

Under the new rules, each department is generally allowed three deputy directors.

However, in cases where departments are formed by merging two provincial-level units, one additional deputy may be appointed. If three such units are merged, up to two additional deputies may be added.

Similarly, if departments are merged under central-level directives or due to broader administrative restructuring, the same increases apply - one or two extra deputies depending on the number of merged entities.

Special-case departments that do not undergo mergers are still limited to an average of three deputies per department.

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are granted an exception: in addition to the general allowance, each city may appoint up to 10 more deputy directors, depending on local needs and administrative complexity.

Deputy heads of departmental divisions

For departmental divisions, the decree outlines staffing as follows:

Divisions with fewer than 10 civil servants may have 1 deputy head
Those with 10 to 14 civil servants may have up to 2 deputy heads
Divisions with 15 or more civil servants may appoint up to 3 deputy heads

Sub-departments with 1 to 3 internal divisions may appoint 1 deputy director. If there are 4 or more divisions, up to 2 deputy directors may be appointed. If the sub-department has no internal divisions, it may still have 1 deputy director.

The decree also defines commune-level departments as specialized agencies under local People’s Committees. These offices have their own seals and bank accounts, and are responsible for managing state functions at the commune level.

Heads of these offices (department chiefs) are appointed by commune-level People’s Committee chairpersons, and are accountable to the People’s Committee, the chairperson, and the law.

Their deputies assist with designated tasks and assume leadership duties when the department chief is absent. Each office is allowed an average of two deputies, with actual numbers determined by the number of departments established.

Tran Thuong