Vietnam’s Minister of Public Security, Tô Lâm, has set a clear deadline for transformative institutional reforms and administrative streamlining, urging that substantial and measurable results be achieved by the end of 2026. Emphasizing the importance of concrete outcomes over superficial gestures, he called for government bodies to produce tangible deliverables. His remarks came during the inaugural meeting of the Central Steering Committee for Institutional Perfection and Law Enforcement held in Hanoi. Tô Lâm underscored the necessity of evaluating reform efforts through the lens of finalized legal documents, streamlined administrative processes, resolved legal barriers, and demonstrable accountability from leaders.
Attended by high-ranking officials such as Lê Minh Hưng and Trần Thanh Mẫn, the meeting tackled various key issues. Tô Lâm urged ministries and agencies to act promptly on the committee’s conclusions, emphasizing the importance of establishing robust monitoring systems and maintaining regular reports on progress, setbacks, and areas needing higher-level oversight. Priority areas under review included bolstering the state economy, enhancing foreign investment conditions, cutting down on administrative complexities, tackling urban air pollution, and revising the criminal procedure framework.
The committee placed a strong emphasis on foreign investment, advocating for policies that enhance competitiveness through technology transfer, research and development, workforce training, and digital innovation. In addition, there is a call for a focus on green transformation and stronger oversight of strategic investors. Improved regional cooperation is also seen as essential for attracting foreign capital. Addressing air pollution in urban centers, officials proposed a shift toward outcome-based air quality management, supported by modern environmental monitoring technologies, enhanced early-warning mechanisms, and clearer responsibilities for pollution sources.
Administrative reform is being positioned as an ongoing responsibility rather than a temporary initiative. This approach includes a greater focus on post-inspection oversight and risk-based governance, moving away from excessive pre-approval demands. In terms of judicial reforms, there is a review underway of potential amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code. The aim is to achieve a balance between effective crime prevention, fairness, asset recovery, and support for socio-economic development.