Abstract

This article examines the fundamental theoretical principles and important role of decentralization and delegation of authority in Vietnam’s state administration. In the context of state apparatus streamlining during 2025–2026, the study identifies several major challenges. The competencies of commune-level officials and civil servants do not fully correspond to their assigned authority; provincial People’s Councils face considerable pressure in conducting oversight and ex post reviews; and administrative units formed through mergers encounter localized financial difficulties. On this basis, the article proposes three principal solutions: strengthening the capacity of local officials in conjunction with an appropriate roadmap for delegating responsibilities; reforming and enhancing the effectiveness of oversight by People’s Councils; and flexibly adjusting budgetary autonomy mechanisms for merged administrative units to improve management effectiveness.

Keywords: Local government, state administration, state apparatus streamlining.