Since 1 July 2025, Vietnam has been transitioning from a three-tier to a two-tier local government model, aiming to streamline the state apparatus, reduce intermediate layers, and devolve greater authority to grassroots-level governments. As a result, many state management functions have been transferred to the commune level, requiring not only an administrative reorganisation but also a redesign of how public services are delivered and operated.
Against this backdrop, the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and the Mekong Development Research Institute (MDRI), with technical support from UNDP in Viet Nam, jointly conducted a rapid assessment titled “Public Service Delivery under Vietnam’s Two-Tier Local Government Model” in the first quarter of 2026.
Within this study, MDRI led the quantitative component, focusing on citizens’ perspectives during the operationalisation of the two-tier model. Through a nationwide telephone survey of 4,932 citizens, MDRI provides empirical evidence on people’s perceptions, access, and lived experiences regarding public and essential services. The analysis helps identify the enabling factors, bottlenecks, and access gaps that have emerged during this transitional period.
Key responsibilities:
– Developed a stratified and randomized sampling framework to survey a representative sample of citizens across all 34 provinces in Vietnam.
– Conducted a large-scale Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) survey with 4,932 respondents nationwide.
– Drafted and finalized a bilingual comprehensive research report (in Vietnamese and English).
– Disseminated research findings and policy recommendations at the scientific seminar “Public Service Delivery under the Two-Tier Local Government Model.”
Photo source: Lao Dong Newspaper
