Abstract

On July 1, 2025, Vietnam officially implemented the two-tier local government model nationwide, marking a major change in the organization and operation of local government. After one year, the model achieved several important initial results, including maintaining the continuity of state administration, reducing intermediary levels, promoting decentralization and delegation of authority, reforming administrative procedures, and gradually establishing the commune level as the primary point for addressing matters concerning citizens and businesses. Nevertheless, its implementation also revealed limitations relating to legal consistency, the capacity of commune-level officials, resources for performing assigned duties, digital infrastructure, data connectivity, public assets, and coordination between provincial and commune-level authorities. Based on an analysis of political and legal documents and the findings of the one-year preliminary review, this article evaluates the initial achievements, identifies issues requiring further attention, and proposes directions for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of Vietnam’s two-tier local government model.

Keywords: Commune level, decentralization, delegation of authority, digital transformation, local governance, two-tier local government.