Recently, the Hai Phong City Party Committee issued Report No. 284-BC/TU regarding the results of implementing Regulation No. 301-QD/TW of the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee on streamlining the apparatus of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) at all levels. In the context of the city operating under a two-level local government model following the merger with Hai Duong Province, this organizational restructuring has achieved impressive results in operational effectiveness and efficiency.
Decisive Streamlining of the City-Level Apparatus
Immediately after the issuance of Regulation No. 301-QD/TW, the Standing Board of the Hai Phong City Party Committee directed the urgent issuance of documents to concretize the reorganization. The most significant highlight was the implementation of Project No. 03-DA/TU to merge the VFF Committees of Hai Phong City and Hai Duong Province, creating a unified and synchronized agency.
Regarding the leadership structure, the Standing Board of the City VFF Committee currently has 10 members, with the Chairman serving as the Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee and the Standing Vice Chairman as a member of the Standing Board of the City Party Committee. To ensure stability and continuity after the merger, the city is currently maintaining one more deputy position than regulated, with a roadmap to adjust this within the next five years.
The most distinct mark of this streamlining lies in the advisory and assisting agencies. From 45 units (Boards and Offices) before the merger, the city has resolutely narrowed these down to only 10 (a reduction of 35 units). This system includes 04 general advisory boards and 06 boards assisting socio-political organizations, ensuring smooth operations without overlapping functions. Public non-business units were also systematically merged from 07 old units into 04 new ones, such as the establishment of the City Children's Cultural Palace.
Consolidating the Commune-Level VFF System and Grassroots Roles
Following the roadmap for a two-level government model, Hai Phong closely directed the consolidation of the commune-level VFF system immediately after district-level operations concluded. The current organizational model at the commune level ensures unified leadership with a full-time Chairman and Vice-Chairmen who also serve as heads of political and social organizations.
The city has implemented a policy of not organizing specialized boards at the commune level to ensure a lean structure, with each agency only arranging 02 to 04 specialists and an advisory accountant. Notably, 100% of commune-level VFF Committees have established party cells, reinforcing the Party's absolute leadership at the grassroots. Consensus is very high, with 113 out of 114 units having arranged full-time Chairmen, which has created a sense of security for officials during this transition phase.
Challenges and Strategic Proposals to the Central Government
Despite these successes, the city frankly recognizes difficulties, such as the "Head of the Agency" model for the Standing Vice Chairman causing occasional inconsistencies in direction when compared to the Chairman's role. Furthermore, some officials holding concurrent positions are facing excessive workloads.
Based on these practical operations, the Hai Phong City Party Committee has made several important proposals to the Central Government: (1) Consider removing the "Head of the Agency" concept, as it is not an officially appointed title; (2) Add one dedicated full-time VFF Vice Chairman at the commune level to enhance implementation efficiency; (3) Upgrade the provincial-level VFF Party Committee to a party committee at a superior-to-grassroots level and early issuance of synchronized document formats. These proposals stem from the reality that the operating area after the merger has become vast, requiring officials to be truly dedicated and "close to the people".
Through decisive leadership and a systematic roadmap, Hai Phong is proving that streamlining the apparatus is a substantive innovation in operational methods, not just a reduction in numbers. The city is committed to avoiding legal gaps and ensuring a strong Front system that serves as a bridge of trust between the Party, the government, and the people.