Vietnam’s Ministry of Home Affairs is currently submitting a proposal to the government to revise Decree No. 204/2004, which governs salary policies for civil servants, public employees, and the armed forces. This move aims to reflect the ongoing reform of wage policy and the restructuring of the state apparatus.

The information was shared in an official response to a petition from voters in Dong Thap Province, conveyed through the National Assembly’s Committee for People’s Petitions and Oversight ahead of the 10th session of the 15th National Assembly.

Dong Thap voters requested more detailed guidance on decentralization, as well as specific policies for civil servants and non-specialized personnel following organizational changes in local governance.

In its reply, the Ministry stated that it has implemented instructions from the Government’s Steering Committee on Administrative Restructuring and the two-tier local governance model.

Based on provincial reports, the Ministry has compiled recommendations and submitted an assessment to the Prime Minister on the feasibility of delegated responsibilities from central to local governments. It has also suggested legal improvements and policy adjustments to ensure that decentralization is effective, streamlined, and responsive to the new local government framework.

Moving forward, relevant ministries and agencies are expected to issue further guidelines to remove implementation bottlenecks - particularly at the commune level - where reforms have faced logistical challenges.

Salary and allowance policies to be updated post-restructuring

Regarding remuneration, the Ministry has already issued Circulars No. 23/2025 and 24/2025 on December 24, 2025, amending regulations on special hardship and regional allowances for public employees, armed forces personnel, and workers in areas with challenging conditions.

Simultaneously, the Ministry is seeking government approval for a revised decree to replace Decree No. 204/2004, which will modernize the salary structure for civil servants, public employees, and military personnel. The proposed changes are meant to support the wage reform roadmap and accommodate the realities of a streamlined state apparatus.

In line with the implementation of the 2025 Law on Organization of Local Government, the Ministry is also leading a joint effort with other agencies to draft a new Government Decree regulating the organization and operations of village and residential group units.

This draft includes new proposals on policies for non-specialized workers to ensure consistency with the evolving two-tier local governance model. The content is currently being prepared for higher-level review and approval.

The Ministry of Home Affairs reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with relevant authorities to complete the institutional and policy frameworks needed to improve public administration performance and meet the development expectations of both the public and the state.

Vu Diep