Vietnam Focuses on Strengthening Policy Implementation at the Grassroots Level

Vietnam is prioritizing the strengthening of its policy implementation framework to ensure that national-level decisions translate into tangible benefits for the lives of its citizens. This endeavor requires not only sound policy formulation but also robust organizational capacity, synchronized coordination across the entire system, and unwavering responsibility from every official. A policy is truly deemed to have fulfilled its mission only when it yields concrete results that the populace can experience. A prime example of this focus on administrative efficiency can be observed in Quyết Thắng xã, Hải Phòng city. Following the merger of three administrative units, the area now manages a larger territory and population, significantly increasing the workload at the xã level. However, administrative procedures have seen dramatic improvements through digitalization. From July 1, 2025, to May 2026, nearly 20,000 administrative dossiers were processed, with over 97% handled online and 100% resolved on time or ahead of schedule. This has led to an average reduction of approximately 50% in processing time compared to the pre-merger period. This achievement is attributed to the electronic processing of documents, digitalization of records, and the utilization of a resident data management system. This system enables higher authorities to quickly identify bottlenecks and delays in any department, facilitating timely intervention. Even the approximately 157 meters of documents from the three pre-merger xã have been digitized, streamlining administrative procedures. Similar efforts are evident in the nationwide "Program to Support the Poor in Building Houses" (Program 167), which aims to eliminate temporary and dilapidated housing. This social welfare policy, designed to assist low-income households, has been implemented through a series of complex steps including household surveys, resolution of land-related issues, mobilization of funds and materials, construction, and progress monitoring, ultimately providing shelter to those in need. By August 2025, the program had supported the construction and repair of 334,234 houses across the country. On July 20, 2026, during the opening of the third session of the 14th Party Central Committee, General Secretary and President Tô Lâm called for every resolution and conclusion to be immediately translated into concrete action plans with clearly defined objectives, tasks, authorities, resources, responsibilities, deadlines, deliverables, and outcomes. These eight "clarifications" are intended to overcome issues such as delayed legislative integration, lax implementation, and low effectiveness, even when policies are sound. The construction of boarding schools for primary and secondary education in border communes also highlights the importance of effective policy execution. These schools are not merely educational facilities; they represent opportunities for border children to receive better education, narrow the educational gap, enhance public awareness, improve human resources, and lay the foundation for socio-economic development and border security. With a target of completing 100 schools by August 30, 2026, this major initiative requires extensive coordination, including site preparation, material supply, timely funding, construction quality assurance, teacher recruitment, and the operational management of boarding facilities. From policy formulation to tangible benefits for citizens, a series of implementation stages exist. Delays and obstacles in these stages can arise from various factors, including lagging legislation, underutilization of resources, unclear authorities, and poor coordination. The true success of a policy hinges on the ability to overcome these implementation challenges and reliably achieve the final intended outcomes.