Administrative reform in 2026: 'Decisive action, stricter discipline, enhanced innovation'
Entering 2026, administrative reform continues to be identified by Nghe An province as a key and overarching task, closely linked to the requirements of perfecting the two-level local government, promoting digital transformation, and improving the quality of service to citizens and businesses.
Based on the achievements in 2025, the province sets higher and more decisive requirements, aiming to build a modern, professional, transparent, effective, and efficient administrative system. The Provincial People's Committee has chosen the theme for administrative reform in 2026 as:"Take decisive action, tighten discipline, and strengthen innovation."This clearly demonstrates political determination in leadership and management.
Mainngadapt to two-tiered local government
The implementation of a two-tiered local government system places new demands on the organizational structure and operational methods of government at all levels, especially at the grassroots level – where direct contact and resolution of issues for citizens and businesses take place.
In Vinh Phu ward, after implementing a two-tiered local government system, the ward People's Committee conducted a comprehensive review of administrative procedure processing, proposing a reduction in processing time for 27 procedures across 7 sectors. While approximately 30% of applications were received in person during the initial months of implementation, 100% are now received and processed online. Notably, despite having a high number of administrative procedures compared to the province, the ward's online processing rate reached 46%, ranking third in the province.
According to Mr. Nguyen The Than, Chairman of the Vinh Phu Ward People's Committee, in 2026, the Ward People's Committee will focus on concretizing Resolution 05 of the Ward Party Committee on strengthening the Party's leadership over the development of Science and Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transformation, and Project 06, linked to Nghe An province's 2026 theme on administrative reform: "Decisive action, strict discipline, enhanced innovation." The ward will strictly implement the one-stop and integrated one-stop mechanisms according to the new regulations of the Government; and closely control the process of receiving and resolving applications at the Ward Public Administrative Service Center, considering this a "direct point of contact" demonstrating the quality of administrative reform in the ward.
In addition, the ward continues to promote full-process online public services, digitizing the results of administrative procedures associated with cashless payments. It strengthens the reuse of population, civil registration, and land data in resolving administrative procedures. In particular, it strictly monitors and supervises the progress of file processing; for files that are delayed or overdue, the cause and responsibility must be clearly identified, apologies must be offered, and corrective actions must be taken. This is considered a mandatory criterion in the annual evaluation of officials and civil servants.
Customer satisfaction is our overarching goal.
Practical implementation of administrative reforms at the grassroots level shows that changes in the methods of handling administrative procedures have yielded clear results, gradually creating convenience for the people.
Mr. Hoang Van Hung, residing in Block 2, Nghi Phu Ward, Vinh Phu Commune, said that when applying for a new land use right certificate under the new regulations, the initial requirement to submit the application online was confusing for him and many other residents. However, thanks to the thorough and detailed guidance of the professional staff, he successfully completed the online application. Similarly, Ms. Lu Thi Muoi from Khe Tam Hamlet, Chau Binh Commune, was very satisfied with the attentive and enthusiastic guidance and support she received from the commune's Public Administrative Service Center when carrying out administrative procedures.
Positive feedback from the public is an important basis for localities to continue improving processes, enhancing service quality, and making the satisfaction of citizens and businesses the overarching goal in administrative reform.
In 2026, the Provincial People's Committee set the following targets: over 98% of administrative procedures received by provincial-level specialized agencies and the People's Committees of communes and wards will be resolved on time or ahead of schedule. 100% of delayed administrative procedures will require accountability explanations from the heads of agencies and units, and apologies to organizations and individuals in accordance with the regulations in Government Decree No. 118 dated June 9, 2025. The satisfaction level of citizens and businesses regarding the resolution of administrative procedures will reach 95%, with satisfaction levels exceeding 85% for procedures in the fields of land, construction, and investment.
LDigital transformation is the driving force.in administrative reform
Not only in Vinh Phu ward, but many other localities in the province are also proactively innovating their service methods, considering digital transformation as an important lever to promote administrative reform.
According to Mr. Le Khanh Quang, Vice Chairman of the Lam Thanh Commune People's Committee, the locality has focused on processing applications through full-process online public services to ensure timely resolution for citizens. The overarching principle is to process applications on time, while striving to shorten processing times by 40-50% compared to regulations. In addition, Lam Thanh commune is also promoting awareness campaigns and leveraging the role of community digital technology teams in villages and hamlets to support people in accessing and digitizing applications, gradually forming a habit of using online public services.
With the theme: “Decisive action, tighten discipline, strengthen innovation,” in 2026, Nghe An province will continue to focus on strongly reforming administrative procedures towards simplification, transparency, and convenience for citizens and businesses. The review and reduction of processing time and compliance costs for administrative procedures will be intensified; ensuring that 100% of administrative procedures are published and made public in a timely and compliant manner.
The results of administrative procedure processing in the first month of 2026 continued to show many positive signs. In January 2026, the Nghe An Provincial Public Administration Service Center received and processed nearly 21,000 applications; of which, the rate of applications processed on time or ahead of schedule reached 99.83%; the rate of online applications reached 86.33%. At the commune level, the situation of receiving and processing applications, as recorded on the province's administrative procedure information system, also showed a clear improvement, with more than 89,000 applications received, of which online applications accounted for 99.25%.
Mr. Nguyen Dinh My, Deputy Director of the Nghe An Provincial Public Administration Service Center, said that the Center will continue to advise the Provincial People's Committee to direct departments, agencies, and localities to implement comprehensive solutions to improve the rate of online application submission and processing. This includes promoting awareness among citizens and businesses about the benefits of online administrative procedures, especially full-process online public services; mobilizing volunteers to support organizations and individuals in submitting applications at the Provincial and commune-level Public Administration Service Centers; and addressing existing shortcomings and inadequacies to improve the quality of online public service delivery in a substantive and effective manner.
Strengthen discipline and emphasize the responsibility of leaders.
Alongside procedural reforms and digital transformation, Nghe An province places special emphasis on tightening administrative discipline and order, and enhancing the responsibility of the heads of agencies, units, and localities.
According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai Thuong, Deputy Director of the Nghe An Department of Internal Affairs, to effectively implement the 2026 administrative reform theme: "Decisive action, tighten discipline, strengthen innovation," the Department, as the standing agency, will advise the Provincial People's Committee to issue a Directive guiding the state administrative reform work in the province for the period 2026-2030; clearly defining the goals, tasks, key solutions, and assigning specific responsibilities to each agency, unit, and locality. It will also strengthen the responsibility and role of the heads of agencies, units, and localities, as well as of officials and civil servants, in implementing tasks according to their assigned functions and duties.
In addition, administrative reform inspections will be strengthened, linked to the inspection of the implementation of administrative discipline and public service duties; promptly detecting and rectifying shortcomings and limitations arising during implementation. The province also encourages officials and civil servants to propose new initiatives and solutions in administrative reform, contributing to better service for citizens and businesses.
With a proactive, decisive, and innovative spirit, 2026 is expected to be the year Nghe An makes even more significant strides in administrative reform. The overarching goal is to build a democratic, disciplined, professional, and modern administration; placing citizens and businesses at the center of service, contributing to creating a transparent investment and business environment, and promoting sustainable socio-economic development.