Vietnam's top leader calls for Ho Chi Minh City to boost autonomy and execution

Vietnam's top leader has issued a directive to Ho Chi Minh City calling for enhanced operational autonomy and improved implementation capacity across municipal administration. The guidance focuses on enabling the city to accelerate stalled projects and streamline its governance processes.

The directive instructs city authorities to conduct a comprehensive review of outstanding tasks and establish transparent chains of responsibility with defined timelines. Municipal officials have been tasked with identifying administrative bottlenecks that impede project progress and policy execution.

Authorities are encouraged to resolve matters within their existing remit without unnecessary delays while formulating specific proposals to higher-level government on issues requiring approval beyond municipal jurisdiction. This approach aims to reduce bureaucratic friction and expedite decision-making at appropriate administrative levels.

The move aligns with Ho Chi Minh City's broader strategic initiatives, including a portfolio of 12 major investment projects valued at over 13 billion USD and the rollout of three digital transformation models aimed at enhancing public service delivery. City leadership has also prioritized establishing Ho Chi Minh City as a competitive global tourism destination befitting its status as Vietnam's largest metropolitan center.

The directive underscores the central government's commitment to empowering Ho Chi Minh City as a key economic engine while ensuring effective project delivery and administrative responsiveness to residents and investors.

Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Hall, the People's Committee building, January 2020. Steffen Schmitz via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).