Hanoi, 12 May 2026 – Findings from a nationwide survey of nearly 5,000 citizens, alongside case studies conducted in Bac Ninh and Hung Yen provinces, show broad public support for Viet Nam’s transition to a two-tier local government model, highlighting its potential to streamline administration and improve public service delivery. At the same time, the findings capture early implementation experiences and identify areas requiring targeted attention during the 2026–2031 term.

The research findings released today was jointly conducted from January to March 2026 by the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) and the Mekong Development Research Institute (MDRI), with technical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Viet Nam and financial support from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the Embassy of Ireland, and UNDP in Viet Nam.  

To provide the rationale for the study, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Mạnh Hùng, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) cum Vice Chair of the Central Theoretical Council emphasized: “A good system is not one that never encounters bottlenecks or shortcomings, but one that identifies problems early, responds quickly, and fix mistakes without passing the burden of misalignment onto the people. Good public services are not simply those that follow procedures correctly, but those that deliver consistent, reliable, accessible outcomes and leave citizens satisfied.”

The study captures the experiences ofcitizens, cadres and civil servants following the removal of intermediary administrative layers. While most respondents welcomed the reform, many reported temporary disruptions in accessing services during the transition period, as local administrations adjusted to new responsibilities. 

“Viet Nam’s transition to a two-tier local government model is forward-looking, reflecting the country’s long-standing commitment to governance reform — not simply as an administrative exercise, but as a driver of sustainable human development,” said UNDP Resident Representative in Viet Nam Ramla Khalidi. “At its heart, the reform is about bringing government closer to people and strengthening service delivery at the grassroots level. Reform must be people-centred. It must be adaptive, and agile - able to respond to a rapidly changing world and to the diverse needs of individuals, especially those facing multiple vulnerabilities.”

Citizens noted that, during the transition period, some administrative procedures at the commune level required repeated follow-up visits or direct contacts with more than “one stop”, underscoring the importance of resonsive services and timely support from civil servants at the grassroots level. These experiences point to areas where additional capacity building and system support can further strengthen local service delivery.

Ms. Gillian Bird, Ambassador of Australia to Viet Nam said, “The assessment conducted by UNDP and HCMA makes an important contribution to shared objectives. By examining how local government reforms are experienced by both civil servants and citizens, it provides valuable, evidence-based insights to support policy implementation.”

Regarding access to the National E-Service Portal (NESP), nearly 22 percent of respondents reported using the portal since July 2025. However, 27 percent of users reported navigation difficulties, and 34 percent expressed concerns related to personal data protection, highlighting the value of continued user‑centred improvements as digital public services expand.

The study also highlights opportunities to improve inclusion considerations. Only 6.4 percent of respondents with disabilities reported using the NESP, underscoring the importance of complementing digital services with direct support mechanisms in line with Viet Nam’s commitments to inclusive public administration.

Challenges were also observed in essential public services. Many respondents continued to prefer provincial-level healthcare facilities, over commune-level facilities, citing perceptions of higher service quality. Meanwhile issues such as overcrowded classrooms and limited support for students with disabilities persist in public primary education.

“Effective public service provision is central to the Government of Vietnam's very impressive targets for future national development. The voice and participation of wider society are equally vital.” said Ms. Deirdre Ní Fhallúin, Ambassador of Ireland to Viet Nam. “We believe that strong quality assurance mechanisms are essential to ensuring an accurate and reliable picture of public administration across the country.”

Case studies from Bac Ninh and Hung Yen provinces highlight the importance of effective alignment across institutional arrangements, human resources, infrastructure, and budget allocation. While decentralization has expanded the mandate of grassroots authorities, operational capacity and resources need to keep pace to sustain the reforms, and ensure that procedures simplified in principle are also efficient in practice.

Experts participating in the discussion highlighted the value of complementing short-term administrative adjustments with sustained systems-building efforts, including targeted budget allocation, strengthened human resources, especially at the commune level, and continued investment in digital infrastructure from central to grassroots levels.