Reforming both thinking and methods of governance is not just a matter of a single term in office - it is a long journey toward building an effective, efficient government that is close to and acts for the people.

The two words “reform” and “institution” have been frequently emphasized throughout this government term. Yet, as Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh stated during a press conference on the upcoming 1st Party Congress of the Government for the 2025–2030 term, what matters most is not that the government speaks of reform, but that it has truly reformed - in mindset, in methods, in management structure, and through concrete action across all sectors.

Reforming mindset: From “management” to “enabling”

The most significant transformation has been in thinking. The government has moved away from a long-standing mindset of “managing and controlling” and entered a phase of “enabling and serving.” Where law was once seen purely as a tool of control, it is now viewed as a resource for development - an institutional “expressway” to empower society, businesses, and innovation.

Laws, once seen as restrictive, are now drivers of liberation. They no longer solely prohibit - they open doors and incentivize. This fundamental shift in national governance marks a move from a control-based model to one that facilitates progress.

Since the start of this term, according to Minister of Justice Nguyen Hai Ninh, the government has submitted 121 draft laws and resolutions to the National Assembly, with a growing workload year-on-year: 5 in 2021, 17 in 2022, 20 in 2023, 34 in 2024, and 47 (31 laws and 16 resolutions) in 2025 so far.

At the upcoming 10th session of the 15th National Assembly, the government plans to submit about 55 new legislative proposals, bringing the total to over 100 documents this year - a historic high.

Simultaneously, the government and the Prime Minister have issued 988 documents under their authority, including 813 decrees, 11 resolutions, and 164 decisions - a record-breaking volume in this term’s institutional development efforts.

This emphasis on legal and institutional reform has significantly contributed to Vietnam’s socio-economic progress and the notable achievements of the current government.

This new thinking is also reflected in economic policy. The private sector - once viewed as a supplement to state-owned enterprises - is now seen as a primary engine of growth. With limited public resources, the power of citizens and businesses is now recognized as essential fuel for the economy. The government has entrusted the private sector with strategic infrastructure projects - from airports and seaports to expressways - marking a bold shift from “the state does it all” to “the state enables and society collaborates.”

State management has also moved from a command-and-control model to one of listening and partnership. The government no longer sees itself as a commander issuing orders, but as a collaborator, working alongside the people and businesses, sharing responsibility and results. This change is not mere rhetoric - it represents a transformation in the very nature of administrative authority.

A renewed perspective has also emerged on foreign direct investment (FDI). In earlier phases, Vietnam eagerly sought capital, technology, and jobs. But now, the government recognizes that without technology transfer, the country risks remaining a mere outsourcing hub. Thus, Vietnam no longer welcomes FDI at any cost - quality, efficiency, and value-added impact are now the guiding principles.

Amid global instability, the government has also embraced a mindset of economic independence and self-reliance. Development cannot be built on dependence. To stand strong, the country must rely on its own strength. “Integration without dependence” is the foundation of this new thinking - independent in diplomacy, proactive in engagement, and confident in action.

Reforming methods: From scattered efforts to strategic focus

New thinking must be accompanied by new methods. And here, the government has made clear strides.

One key shift is in how priorities are chosen. “With limited resources, we must focus,” said the Deputy Prime Minister. Of 12,000 local projects proposed, only 5,000 truly essential ones were selected. In the next term, only 3,000 core projects will remain. Fewer projects, better outcomes - this is the government’s approach to maximize every dollar and every hour of labor.

Simultaneously, decentralization has been strengthened - with real power, real budgets, and real responsibility assigned to local governments. This environment empowers provinces and cities to act creatively. The central government no longer substitutes local actions - it builds the framework for accountable local governance.

The government’s adaptive capacity has also been tested through crises: pandemics, trade conflicts, supply chain disruptions, extreme weather events - each year brings a new challenge. And yet, the government has learned to respond rapidly and adjust policies in real-time, staying agile rather than being swept into crisis. This reflects a government that knows how to adapt and turn risk into opportunity.

This term has also been marked by a willingness to confront long-standing, unresolved issues. Loss-making projects decades in the making, abandoned hospitals, insolvent banks - all have been brought to the table. Not everything has been solved, but the key difference lies in the courage to face problems and take responsibility.

The Prime Minister’s “6 clear principles” - clear responsibility, clear tasks, clear timelines, clear results, clear accountability, and clear oversight - have become the new work standard, enabling a more disciplined and results-oriented system.

This methodological shift is also evident in working style: being close to the people and grounded in reality. When storms strike, government leaders show up at the eye of the disaster. When major projects fall behind, ministers appear at construction sites to push progress. These actions cultivate a government that is present where it matters, not remote or bureaucratic.

From new thinking to real results

These changes in mindset and method are not theoretical - they have produced tangible outcomes:

Macroeconomic stability has been maintained, with steady growth amid global uncertainty. Legal frameworks have been strengthened, and administrative systems have become leaner and more effective. New growth engines - science, technology, innovation, and the private sector - have been activated, laying the foundation for the next phase of development.

Most notably, social welfare and public well-being have received unprecedented attention. Every year, the government allocates around $7.3 to $8.2 billion (8% of total budget spending) to social programs. The three national target programs - sustainable poverty reduction, new rural development, and ethnic minority advancement - have achieved key targets. Millions of solidarity houses and hundreds of schools in border regions have been launched, opening up learning and livelihood opportunities for disadvantaged citizens.

These figures reflect not only operational effectiveness, but also a governance philosophy centered on the people. The goal of reform is not to boast of achievements - but to serve the people better. That simple yet profound principle is the foundation of a modern state.

Reform to go further

Reforming governance is not confined to a single government term - it is a long road toward a state that is efficient, responsive, and truly for the people.

It is a journey from “ruling” to “serving,” from “saying” to “doing,” and from “doing for the people” to “doing with the people.”

In a world full of change, it is commendable that Vietnam’s government has found a steady path: integration without dependence, development with sustainability, reform while preserving national identity. This is not just a new way of doing things - it reflects a leadership mindset for a new era, where people are truly at the center of every decision.

“All development achievements are meant to serve the people and to be enjoyed by the people.”

This statement may well serve as the most succinct summary of a government of action - a government that dares to reform, knows how to reform, and measures its success by the trust of its citizens.

Lan Anh