Reforming Vietnam’s administrative system from the perspective of governance and legal innovation

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the process of administrative reform in Vietnam in the context of building a socialist rule-of-law state and increasingly deep international integration, thereby approaching the issue from two key pillars: administrative reform and perfecting the legal system. The study shows that current administrative reform is not only an internal requirement to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the state apparatus but also an objective requirement in the face of changes in the economic and social environment and the development of science and technology. Based on the analysis of the current status of organizational structure, operating mechanism and capacity of civil servants, the topic clarifies important movements in innovating administrative thinking, enhancing accountability, expanding people’s participation and promoting data-based governance. In addition, the study assesses the role of law as a foundation to regulate and ensure the reform process takes place in an orderly, transparent and stable manner. Through the survey of current legal documents, the topic identifies legal bottlenecks that are hindering the smooth operation of the administrative system, including overlapping regulations, unsynchronized power control mechanisms, and the gap between legal regulations and enforcement capacity. On that basis, the study proposes orientations for perfecting the law in a unified, transparent manner, consistent with modern governance practices, and creating a serving administrative environment. The research results show that the innovation of Vietnam’s administrative system must be placed in an organic relationship between governance reform and legal reform, where these two factors interact and complement each other to create a streamlined, efficient administrative apparatus that is oriented towards serving people and businesses. The topic contributes to providing scientific arguments for the policy-making process and institutional improvement in the new development stage.