Vietnam is set to undergo significant changes as Tô Lâm, chairing the inaugural meeting of the Central Steering Committee for Institutional Perfection and Law Enforcement in Hanoi, urges swift and measurable progress in institutional reform, administrative streamlining, and legal modernization by 2026. Stressing the necessity for substantial outcomes over symbolic gestures, he emphasized that reforms must be evidenced by tangible outputs such as finalized legal documents, simplified administrative procedures, resolved legal challenges, and clear accountability from those in leadership positions.
In the presence of senior officials, including Lê Minh Hưng and Trần Thanh Mẫn, Tô Lâm instructed government ministries and agencies to commence the implementation of the committee’s resolutions immediately. He called for the establishment of mechanisms to monitor progress, and stressed the importance of regular reporting on tasks completed, delays encountered, and issues requiring higher-level intervention. The committee outlined several priority areas, such as fortifying the state economy, enhancing foreign investment conditions, reducing administrative burdens, tackling urban air pollution, and revising the criminal procedure framework.
Regarding foreign investment, a competitive policy environment is deemed crucial to encourage technology transfer, research and development, workforce training, green transformation, and digital innovation. The committee highlighted the need for rigorous oversight of strategic investors and improved regional coordination to attract foreign capital effectively. In addressing urban air pollution, officials proposed a shift towards outcome-based air quality management, supported by modern environmental monitoring systems, robust early-warning mechanisms, and defined accountability for pollution sources.
The committee underscored that administrative reform should become a continuous responsibility rather than a temporary initiative. It called for increased reliance on post-inspection oversight and risk-based governance, moving away from excessive pre-approval requirements. This approach aims to streamline processes and improve efficiency across government operations.
Moreover, judicial reforms are on the agenda, with officials reviewing amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code. The goal is to balance effective crime prevention with fairness, asset recovery, and support for socio-economic development. These reforms are seen as essential to modernizing Vietnam’s legal framework and enhancing the country’s socio-economic landscape.