Regarding the streamlining of internal structures within ministries and ministerial-level agencies, as well as the reorganization of the network of public service units, the resolution requires ministries and ministerial-level agencies to carry out internal restructuring in step with decentralization and delegation of authority. The task must be completed in October.

For public higher education institutions, the Ministry of Education and Training, in coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs, other ministries and ministerial-level agencies, and provincial and municipal People's Committees, will lead the restructuring. Multidisciplinary universities are to be transferred to the management of the Ministry of Education and Training or local authorities, while institutions located in the same area will be merged or consolidated, except those operating in specialized fields.

The Government requires the number of organizational units within the public higher education system to be reduced by at least 20%. These tasks must be completed before April 1, 2027.

For vocational and continuing education institutions, the Ministry of Education and Training will work with the Ministry of Home Affairs, other ministries and ministerial-level agencies, and provincial and municipal People's Committees on restructuring. Public vocational education institutions currently under ministries and central agencies will be transferred to local authorities, except for certain institutions operating in specialized fields.

The Government aims to reduce the number of public vocational education institutions by at least 30%. These tasks must be completed before October 1.

The Ministry of Health has been assigned to lead the restructuring and reorganization of hospitals and higher education institutions under its management, reducing the number of organizational units, as well as streamlining the forensic examination and forensic psychiatric assessment systems.

The Ministry of Health has also been tasked with finalizing the organizational model for commune-level health stations to ensure that people have access to basic and essential healthcare services and primary healthcare at the grassroots level.

The Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Home Affairs will lead efforts to submit to the Government, or issue within their respective authority, guidance on the continued restructuring of public service units and preschool, primary and general education institutions in communes and wards.

Provincial and municipal People's Committees are required to direct the continued restructuring of public service units, preschool, primary and general education institutions in communes and wards, as well as local healthcare facilities. This work must be completed in August.

The Government has assigned the Ministry of Home Affairs to coordinate with the Ministry of Justice and other ministries and ministerial-level agencies to amend and supplement regulations related to organizational structures, or propose that competent authorities make the necessary legal adjustments.

In particular, the Government stressed that decentralization and delegation of authority must be substantive, following the principle of “localities decide, localities act, localities take responsibility.” This must also be backed by adequate personnel, funding, data, digital infrastructure, professional guidance, implementation tools and post-implementation oversight mechanisms.

The Government underscored the need to decisively end the practice of assigning responsibilities without providing the necessary conditions for their implementation.

Ministries, ministerial-level agencies and local authorities are required to review, supplement and refine regulations designed to encourage and protect officials who embrace innovation and creativity, dare to think and act, and are willing to take responsibility for the common good, with clear criteria and conditions for their application.

The Ministry of Public Security will take the lead in coordinating with the Ministry of National Defense and other Government agencies, working with the Party Central Committee's Organization Commission to propose adjustments to responsibilities that remain overlapping or duplicated. The proposals should ensure greater coherence, effectiveness and efficiency and will be submitted to the Politburo for consideration and decision.

Tran Thuong