Vietnam

Tăng cường phân cấp, phân quyền trong thúc đẩy phát triển kinh tế tư nhân

Bao Dien Tu | Local Language | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | UndeterminedInitiative

At the 14th National Congress of the Party on January 21, Secretary of the Saigon Ward Party Committee Nguyen Tan Phat outlined a strategy for leading rapid and sustainable private economic development in Saigon Ward, a central urban area in Ho Chi Minh City with significant historical and economic importance. Saigon Ward is a hub for international finance, commerce, and high-end services, featuring a modern urban economy that includes digital, sharing, night-time, financial, and 24/7 service economies. The Ward operates under a two-tier local government system which enables closer engagement with organizations, enterprises, and residents.

The Ward Party Committee has developed a developmental program for high-end trade, services, finance, and international tourism for 2025-2030, aligned with the Politburo Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW and recent amendments supporting special mechanisms and policies for Ho Chi Minh City. Key economic measures include enhancing quality and service in supermarkets, shopping centers, and retail stores, building free trade commercial centers for diverse high-end products, and attracting financial experts and strategic investors to the International Financial Center. Administrative reforms are focused on simplifying procedures, streamlining the apparatus, and accelerating digital transformation to facilitate rapid access to public services.

Economic statistics indicate significant growth in Saigon Ward’s private economy, with 14,283 enterprises and business households as of early 2026, an increase of 966 units since mid-2025. Local budget revenue substantially exceeded the 2025 targets, with state budget revenue reaching 186.67% of the assigned estimate. The 2026 budget sets a target of 10,453 billion VND, with the private economy expected to contribute over 64% of this revenue, underscoring its importance as a dynamic driving force behind local development.

Private sector participation in socio-economic projects and facility development in Saigon Ward has increased, reflecting strong confidence from entrepreneurs and enterprises in the political and socio-economic environment. Nguyen Tan Phat emphasized promoting the Party’s adaptive leadership, encouraging Vietnamese entrepreneurs, and the State’s need to innovate alongside fast-changing market conditions. Harmonizing interests among the State, businesses, and people is essential for sustainable private economic development.

The effectiveness of the market economy relies on competition, innovation, creativity, and adaptability, with decentralization and delegation in economic management identified as critical to promoting private sector growth. Policies around corporate income tax and procedure fees must align with city and national development goals. Saigon Ward, newly established in July 2025 with a population of 47,022 and a strong Party organization, aims to become a dynamic economic and financial center, contributing to Ho Chi Minh City's vision as an international mega-city and Asian destination.

Phân cấp thực hiện thủ tục hành chính về hóa chất

Bao Dien Tu | Local Language | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | Regulation

Circular No. 01/2026/TT-BCT outlines regulations for decentralizing administrative procedures related to permits for production, business, and combined production-and-business of chemicals requiring special control in groups 1 and 2. It covers the issuance, reissuance, amendment, and extension of export and import permits, chemical safety forms, logbooks for monitoring chemical activities, and the establishment of a Sectoral Chemical Database. The Circular also includes templates and deadlines for chemical management, as well as regulations on hazardous chemicals that must be publicly reported under the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s authority.

Under the decentralization framework, Provincial People's Committees are responsible for managing permits related to group 2 chemicals for organizations with their principal business location in the province. They handle dossiers for production, business, or storage activities limited to their locale and coordinate with other provinces if the organization operates in multiple localities. The Department of Chemicals manages permits for prohibited chemicals, group 1 chemicals, both groups 1 and 2, and oversees activities like certificate issuance for chemical storage services and new chemical appraisals.

The Circular specifies timelines for processing and coordination between Provincial People's Committees when organizations operate in multiple localities. It mandates updating permits on the Sectoral Chemical Database within seven working days after issuance for proper monitoring. It also states that organizations holding valid permits for group 2 chemicals must apply to the Department of Chemicals for permits if they intend to operate with group 1 chemicals.

Additionally, the Circular reiterates that prohibited chemicals, as defined by the Law on Investment, are not allowed for use in the industry and trade sector unless authorized by a competent authority. The Circular aims to streamline permit administration and enhance state chemical management through decentralization and digital transformation.

Vietnam Net - E | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | Political Scandal or Corruption

At the 14th National Party Congress, Deputy Chief of the Central Inspection Committee Tran Van Ron reported significant progress during the 13th Party Congress term, noting that the Party’s inspection bodies handled an unprecedentedly broad and complex workload. They uncovered and resolved multi-layered violations across various sectors and localities that had previously caused public discontent, enforcing discipline with strictness and humanity, without exceptions or forbidden zones. Despite these achievements, Ron acknowledged ongoing challenges, including insufficient appreciation of inspection work among Party committees and weaknesses in self-checking and early violation detection.

Ron emphasized the importance of committed leadership, stating that effective inspection depends on top leaders taking personal responsibility and setting examples. He highlighted that discipline should protect the broader public interest, enforcing rules not merely to punish individuals but to strengthen governance by closing systemic loopholes. A key development during the 13th term was enhanced coordination between Party inspection, state audit, administrative inspection, and law enforcement, which enabled more decisive enforcement actions.

Looking forward to the 14th term, Ron called for bold reforms aiming to transform inspection into a central tool for political discipline and clean governance. This would involve focusing on prevention, early warning, and grassroots power control, tightening anti-corruption rules, and integrating them into public administration to structurally deter misconduct. Additionally, inspection agencies will pursue digital transformation to enable real-time, data-driven oversight, enhancing transparency and accountability through reforms in asset and income declarations. The ultimate goal is to develop a generation of inspectors who are morally upright, professionally skilled, and institutionally empowered to uphold Party discipline and integrity.