Vietnamese leader Tô Lâm has set a firm deadline for substantial advancements in institutional reform, administrative simplification, and legal modernization by the end of 2026. At the helm of the inaugural meeting of the Central Steering Committee for Institutional Perfection and Law Enforcement in Hanoi, Tô Lâm underscored the necessity for government agencies to produce concrete results rather than mere symbolic gestures. He highlighted that progress should be gauged by the enactment of comprehensive legal documents, the streamlining of administrative procedures, the resolution of legal barriers, and definitive accountability from leadership.
The meeting, attended by senior figures such as Lê Minh Hưng and Trần Thanh Mẫn, laid out a roadmap for ministries and agencies to commence the implementation of the committee’s conclusions immediately. Tô Lâm emphasized the importance of setting up monitoring mechanisms and the need for regular reporting on completed tasks, delays, and challenges that might require higher-level intervention. Discussions also centered on several priority areas, including bolstering the state economy, enhancing conditions for foreign investment, reducing administrative hurdles, combating urban air pollution, and amending the criminal procedure framework.
Particularly on foreign investment, the committee stressed the importance of adopting competitive policies to foster technology transfer, research and development, workforce training, green transformation, and digital innovation. It also highlighted the necessity for greater oversight of strategic investors and enhanced regional coordination to attract foreign capital effectively. In tackling air pollution in major urban centers, officials recommended a shift towards outcome-based air quality management. This would involve deploying modern environmental monitoring systems, reinforcing early-warning mechanisms, and establishing clearer accountability for pollution sources.
The committee also encouraged ministries to view administrative reform as a continuous responsibility rather than a temporary campaign. This approach would involve a greater reliance on post-inspection oversight and risk-based governance, moving away from excessive pre-approval requirements. In terms of judicial reforms, there is an ongoing review of amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code aimed at balancing effective crime prevention with fairness, asset recovery, and support for socio-economic development.