National governance is not merely administrative management. It is the capacity to guide the nation through hardship and challenges, to promote sustainable development, and to ensure that the state apparatus operates with increasing efficiency, transparency and service to the people.

Vietnam has made notable progress in governance. In the current context, however, we must decisively move from traditional “state management” - focused on control, procedural compliance and administrative orders - to “modern state governance”, centered on streamlining, effectiveness and accountability.

To make this transition, a comprehensive set of solutions is required, with emphasis on core principles: the rule of law, where the law stands above all individuals and organizations; capable and accountable civil servants responsible to the people; accelerated digital transformation; open data; and high-level online public services.

Success demands not only strong political determination from the state but also participation and oversight from society and the market. Together, these forces create a mutually reinforcing relationship in safeguarding and developing the nation. Most crucially, the public service mindset must shift from “authority” to “service”, with the satisfaction of citizens and businesses serving as both goal and measure of performance.

What, then, can Vietnam learn from international experience in applying these principles?

Lesson from Singapore: Elite officials and strict rule of law

Singapore, once a poor and corruption-ridden colony after independence in 1965, has risen to become one of the world’s most transparent nations through a comprehensive and systematic anti-corruption strategy. Its core lesson lies in combining the “stick and carrot”: strict laws to punish violations and competitive remuneration to encourage compliance and prevent misconduct.

Modern governance begins with people. Singapore has implemented an uncompromising meritocratic recruitment policy, identifying top talents from leading global universities through prestigious government scholarship programs. The belief is simple: only the most capable individuals can shoulder the responsibility of governing a nation. Rigorous selection is matched with highly competitive compensation.

Singapore applies the principle of aligning senior civil servants’ salaries with private sector benchmarks. Ministers and top officials are compensated based on the earnings of leading professionals in the private sector.

This policy brings two major benefits: attracting talent and reducing incentives for corruption. The civil service evaluation system is strict and transparent, directly linked to promotion and bonuses. It is a powerful mechanism ensuring substantive accountability and eliminating bureaucratic stagnation.

Integrity in public service in Singapore rests firmly on the rule of law, where no individual or organization stands above legal authority. Anti-corruption laws are strictly enforced. The anti-corruption investigation agency operates independently and effectively, empowered to investigate anyone, including the highest-ranking officials, when signs of wrongdoing appear.

From primary school, students are taught about the consequences of corruption through civic education. The public is encouraged to report misconduct via anonymous hotlines, fostering a culture of zero tolerance. These rules and the rejection of privilege have created a fair, stable and predictable governance environment - a decisive factor in attracting investment and sustaining development.

Lesson from South Korea: Science, technology and public-private cooperation

South Korea transformed itself from one of Asia’s poorest countries in 1960, with per capita GDP below US$100, into an economic powerhouse with per capita GDP exceeding US$35,000 in 2025.

Beginning in 1962, South Korea implemented five-year economic plans focused on export-oriented industrialization, shifting from textiles to electronics and automobiles. These plans were flexibly adjusted based on real data rather than rigid directives. The state selectively supported major conglomerates such as Samsung and Hyundai through preferential loans and domestic market protection, while requiring them to lead export expansion. At the same time, small and medium enterprises received credit support to prevent inequality.

Public-private dialogue has been a hallmark of South Korea’s governance. The National Economic Advisory Council meets regularly, bringing together government, business and labor unions to propose timely policy solutions.

Beyond governance reform, South Korea’s success also stems from a strategy of openness in attracting global experts, especially in high technology. The country maintains an objective and fair civil service examination system to ensure quality input, while expanding recruitment to include foreign and technical experts for strategic sectors.

South Korea has embraced performance-based governance models that emphasize outputs rather than mere procedural compliance. Senior civil servants are required to sign performance contracts with specific, measurable targets. Their promotion and bonuses depend directly on fulfilling these targets, creating positive pressure for effective action and high accountability.

Lesson from Estonia: Digital government and digital society

Estonia, emerging from post-Soviet hardship in 1991, has become one of the world’s leading digital nations thanks to its e-Estonia strategy launched in 2001. With a population of just 1.3 million, its experience offers global value, demonstrating that technology is key to modernizing governance, enhancing transparency and reducing costs.

Estonia pioneered open government data. Publishing raw data, excluding sensitive personal information, enables the private sector, developers and civil society to build applications and monitor public spending and government performance.

Nearly all public services in Estonia are built on a digital platform supported by two pillars. The first is the electronic identity card - a comprehensive digital identity system enabling remote administration and serving as the foundation of its advanced digital society. The second is X-Road, a secure digital backbone that connects databases across government agencies, allowing safe and seamless data exchange.

As a result, Estonia strictly applies the “once-only” principle, meaning citizens and businesses provide information to authorities only once. Direct contact between civil servants and citizens is minimized, reducing opportunities for petty corruption while increasing transparency, fairness and trust in public administration.

Three lessons from Singapore, South Korea and Estonia are not universal formulas. Yet they demonstrate that governance transformation is both inevitable and feasible when supported by strong political will, robust institutions and strict implementation.

Vietnam is moving in the right direction and should continue to prioritize three synchronized pillars.

First, institutions and law: Institutionalize and strictly enforce regulations on accountability and anti-corruption in the public sector.

Second, human resources: Fundamentally reform salary policies and recruitment methods to attract and retain highly qualified talent for strategic public positions.

Third, technology and infrastructure: Accelerate the completion of national databases on population, land and enterprises, along with data-sharing platforms, to realize the “once-only” principle in public services.

Taking these steps decisively and consistently will determine whether Vietnam can strengthen its governance quality and lay a solid foundation for its aspiration to become a developed nation by 2045.

Pham Trong Nghia

Member of the 15th National Assembly - Postdoctoral researcher in Global Governance at Princeton University, the US (2015-2016) and at Oxford University, the United Kingdom (2016-2017)