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Miami Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Vietnam Reshapes Country Amid Radical Government Cuts-What To Know
Vietnam's legislature approved a plan on Thursday to reshape the country's administrative borders, merging dozens of provinces and cities in a move that officials say will slash nearly 80,000 government jobs. Newsweek contacted Vietnam's Foreign Ministry via email with a request for comment. Vietnam has enjoyed an economic rise in recent years, solidifying its position as a global manufacturing hub. The country's gross domestic product grew by 7.1 percent last year, and the government is targeting 8 percent in 2025. U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on Vietnam—announced in April and now paused until early July—threatened the export-driven economy and prompted officials in Hanoi to redouble their efforts to downsize its bureacracy, efforts that echoed those of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency. The new plan will mark the largest shakeup of Vietnam's administrative map since the postwar unification of North and South Vietnam in the late 1970s. It will reduce the country's 63 provincial and city administrations to just 34, with only 11 regions to retain their current status. Hoang Thanh Tung, chair of the Vietnamese National Assembly's Legal and Judicial Committee, characterized the merger of provinces and cities as "a revolution to streamline the organizational apparatus and restructure administrative units on an unprecedented scale," according to local media reports. Hoang said 79,339 officials would be "streamlined," quitting their jobs or taking early retirement following the merger. Not everyone is pleased with the plan. One provincial official told AFPhe felt "shocked and sad" about having to leave after three decades in the job. "I may receive some billion [Vietnamese] dong in compensation, but I am not happy," the government employee said. "I don't know what to do now, though I think I am still completely fit for work." This week's vote—part of Communist Party leader To Lam's sweeping reforms—comes after the number of Vietnamese government agencies and ministries was already cut from 30 to 22, costing 23,000 people their jobs. Le Hong Hiep, senior fellow and coordinator of the Vietnam Studies Programme at the Singapore-based ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, wrote in April: "These reforms represent Vietnam's most ambitious and consequential administrative overhaul since reunification in 1976, potentially reshaping its political and economic landscapes for decades. "Economically, a leaner bureaucracy promises to reduce red tape and corruption, enhancing responsiveness and attracting foreign investment. In the long run, the streamlined system is expected to bolster Vietnam's growth by fostering efficient policy execution and regional economic clusters." Local officials are expected to finalize the changes and announce new leadership structures by June 30, with implementation planned for July 1. Related Articles Woman Complains About Barking Dogs Next Door-Not Prepared for What She SeesTourists Go on Miles-Long Trek in Vietnam-Decide To Follow 'Tour Guide' DogDemocratic Lawmaker Says She Came to the US 'Illegally'Vietnam Ends Two-Child Policy to Tackle Falling Birth Rates 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Vietnam Reshapes Country Amid Radical Government Cuts—What To Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Vietnam's legislature approved a plan on Thursday to reshape the country's administrative borders, merging dozens of provinces and cities in a move that officials say will slash nearly 80,000 government jobs. Newsweek contacted Vietnam's Foreign Ministry via email with a request for comment. Why It Matters Vietnam has enjoyed an economic rise in recent years, solidifying its position as a global manufacturing hub. The country's gross domestic product grew by 7.1 percent last year, and the government is targeting 8 percent in 2025. U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on Vietnam—announced in April and now paused until early July—threatened the export-driven economy and prompted officials in Hanoi to redouble their efforts to downsize its bureacracy, efforts that echoed those of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency. What To Know The new plan will mark the largest shakeup of Vietnam's administrative map since the postwar unification of North and South Vietnam in the late 1970s. It will reduce the country's 63 provincial and city administrations to just 34, with only 11 regions to retain their current status. Hoang Thanh Tung, chair of the Vietnamese National Assembly's Legal and Judicial Committee, characterized the merger of provinces and cities as "a revolution to streamline the organizational apparatus and restructure administrative units on an unprecedented scale," according to local media reports. Hoang said 79,339 officials would be "streamlined," quitting their jobs or taking early retirement following the merger. A train passes through a narrow street in Hanoi's Old Quarter on June 27, 2024. Tourists take photos of the speeding train. Hanoi's Train Street is a popular tourist attraction. A train passes through a narrow street in Hanoi's Old Quarter on June 27, 2024. Tourists take photos of the speeding train. Hanoi's Train Street is a popular tourist everyone is pleased with the plan. One provincial official told AFPhe felt "shocked and sad" about having to leave after three decades in the job. "I may receive some billion [Vietnamese] dong in compensation, but I am not happy," the government employee said. "I don't know what to do now, though I think I am still completely fit for work." This week's vote—part of Communist Party leader To Lam's sweeping reforms—comes after the number of Vietnamese government agencies and ministries was already cut from 30 to 22, costing 23,000 people their jobs. What's People Are Saying Le Hong Hiep, senior fellow and coordinator of the Vietnam Studies Programme at the Singapore-based ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, wrote in April: "These reforms represent Vietnam's most ambitious and consequential administrative overhaul since reunification in 1976, potentially reshaping its political and economic landscapes for decades. "Economically, a leaner bureaucracy promises to reduce red tape and corruption, enhancing responsiveness and attracting foreign investment. In the long run, the streamlined system is expected to bolster Vietnam's growth by fostering efficient policy execution and regional economic clusters." What's Next Local officials are expected to finalize the changes and announce new leadership structures by June 30, with implementation planned for July 1.
South China Morning Post
04-04-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Could Trump tariffs open window of opportunity for China to improve ties with Vietnam?
Advertisement Vietnam is facing 46 per cent tariffs, making it – along with China – one of the countries worst hit by the levies Trump imposed on allies and rivals alike. Some observers have predicted that the move would fuel doubts about US reliability and even nudge Vietnam closer towards China economically, but others said Hanoi would continue its policy of hedging between the two superpowers. 'For Vietnam's export-driven economy, the immediate economic hit is very damaging – both in trade and in foreign direct investment inflow,' Nguyen Khac Giang, a visiting fellow from the Vietnam Studies Programme at Singapore's ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, said. 'But the longer-term damage could be worse: a breakdown of trust painstakingly rebuilt over decades between Washington and Hanoi. Trust, once broken, isn't easily mended.' Advertisement The United States is Vietnam's largest export market – with the value of US$142 billion, or nearly 30 per cent of its gross domestic product – and the steep tariffs appeared to take it by surprise. It recorded a trade surplus of US$123 billion with the US.
