Vice-Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh: Putting the Common Good First

On May 21st, in Da Lat city, Lam Dong province, Politburo member and Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh worked with the Standing Committees of three provinces: Lam Dong, Binh Thuan, and Dak Nong on implementing the resolutions of the 11th Conference of the 13th Party Central Committee, in conjunction with document construction and personnel work.

At the meeting, Mr. Y Thanh Ha Nie Kdam, Secretary of the Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee, shared that the Standing Committee of the Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee had taken the lead in coordinating with Binh Thuan and Dak Nong provinces to finalize and unanimously issue an inter-provincial plan for the merger. They also established a steering committee for the merger and a subcommittee for personnel arrangements and the integration of administrative units and the new provincial Party Committee.

Thus far, all 15 departments and branches of Lam Dong province have collaborated with their counterparts in Binh Thuan and Dak Nong provinces to develop merger proposals for the departments and branches of the three provinces. They have also formulated plans for the allocation of official residences and vehicles to ensure accommodation and transportation for officials, public employees, and civil servants post-merger.

Mr. Ho Van Muoi, Chairman of the Dak Nong Provincial People’s Committee, proposed the establishment of a new specialized agency, the Department of Foreign Affairs, as Lam Dong now meets the criteria for an international airport (Lien Khuong International Airport) and an international seaport (Vinh Tan Seaport). The personnel for this new department will be rearranged from the foreign affairs offices, the People’s Committee offices, and other departments and branches of the three provinces.

Mr. Nguyen Hoai Anh, Secretary of the Binh Thuan Provincial Party Committee, reported that to proactively prepare for personnel arrangements in the province, the Standing Committee of the Binh Thuan Provincial Party Committee had instructed the Provincial Organization Committee to conduct a survey to understand the aspirations of the officials.

Out of the 177 surveyed individuals, 41 wished to work at the communal level in the merged province, 95 aspired to work at the provincial level, and 41 expressed a desire to retire or take advantage of retirement policies as per regulations.

While acknowledging the advantages, the leaders of the three provinces also highlighted challenges in the merger process, including personnel arrangements, infrastructure, and transportation for officials post-merger. They also noted that the Central Government has not yet issued regulations on the arrangement, placement, and utilization of officials, public employees, and civil servants at the district and communal levels.

At the meeting, Mr. Do Trong Hung, member of the Party Central Committee and Deputy Head of the Central Organization Commission, commended the three provinces for their proactive approach and timely progress despite the short timeframe and heavy workload.

Mr. Do Trong Hung acknowledged the challenges and proposals presented by the leaders of the three provinces regarding personnel arrangements, the principles for allocating personnel to each ward and commune, and the standards for leadership and management positions at the communal level post-merger.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Hoi, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, regarding the three provinces’ proposal on the functions, tasks, and organizational structure of local governments at the communal level, the Ministry of Home Affairs is currently advising the Government on the Law on Amendments to the Law on Local Government Organization and the Law on Civil Servants. These laws aim to implement a two-level local government model and will be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration and approval at the 9th session.

Concluding the meeting, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh affirmed that after the merger, Lam Dong province would have vast development potential. He urged the leaders of the three provinces to closely follow the guidelines and instructions of the ministries, sectors, and the Government in implementing the merger. In terms of personnel arrangements, he emphasized the need to consider both the mission and the capabilities of the officials, striving for harmony among the localities.

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh highlighted that with the upcoming elimination of the district-level government, around 70 tasks previously handled at that level would be transferred to the provincial level, while 600 tasks would be delegated to the communal level. Therefore, a well-functioning apparatus and capable officials are crucial for effectively executing these assigned tasks.

The Permanent Deputy Prime Minister also requested that the three provinces focus on economic, political, and social development. He emphasized the need to rectify negligence in work and resolve outstanding projects before the merger.

“It is essential to do political and ideological work among officials and party members, emphasizing that continuing to work or retiring is in the common interest,” Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh stated.

Additionally, the Permanent Deputy Prime Minister informed that the Government is preparing to send draft decrees on decentralization and delegation of power in various fields to the localities for feedback. He urged the localities to carefully study these drafts and provide specific and practical feedback to ensure that the decrees, once issued, will significantly contribute to the efficient operation of the new government apparatus upon its establishment.