Thematic Seminar: "Two-Tier Local Government: Under the Perspectives of Administrative and Fiscal Decentralization"
28 Aug, 2025
On the morning of August 21, 2025, at room B1.205, Nguyen Tri Phuong Campus, the UEH College of Economics, Law and Government (CELG) organized a thematic seminar on "Two-Tier Local Government: Under the Perspectives of Administrative and Fiscal Decentralization." The seminar was honored to welcome the attendance of delegates from numerous agencies, organizations, and localities, as well as guests from other educational institutions, along with lecturers, graduate students, and undergraduates from CELG.
Attending the seminar, from the guest and local government side, were Mr. Nguyen Huu Nguyen - Vice Chairman of the Fatherland Front, Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Dong Nai Province; Dr. Mai Dinh Lam - Head of the School of Socio-Economic Development Management, HCMC Campus of the National Academy of Public Administration; Mr. Vo Van Duc - Party Secretary, Chairman of the People's Council of Nhieu Loc Ward, HCMC; Mr. Phan Ngoc Phat - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Cho Quan Ward, HCMC; Mr. Vo Quoc Truong - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Binh Trung Ward, HCMC; Mr. Le Cong Dinh - Party Secretary of Long An Ward, Tay Ninh Province; Mr. Doan Kim Thanh - Director of the Youth Center for Science and Technology, HCMC; Mr. Bui Anh Tuan - Head of the Economics and Budget Committee, People's Council of Nhieu Loc Ward, HCMC; Mr. Doan Duc Duy - Head of the Public Asset Management Office, Department of Finance of Dong Thap Province; Ms. Do Thi Quyen - Head of the Economics, Infrastructure, and Urban Affairs Office, People's Committee of Dien Hong Ward, HCMC. Representing UEH and CELG were Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh - President of UEH; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Khanh Nam - Rector of CELG; Dr. Tran Thi Tuan Anh - Vice Rector of CELG; MSc. Huynh Thuc Dinh - Acting Chief of Office of CELG; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Diep Gia Luat - Dean of the School of Public Finance; Dr. Duong Kim The Nguyen - Dean of the School of Law; Dr. Nguyen Kim Quyen - Vice Dean of the School of Public Finance; Dr. Nguyen Le Hoang Thuy To Quyen - Vice Dean of the School of Government; MSc. Nguyen Thi Thuong Nho - Secretary of the UEH Youth Union. Also in attendance were managers, public employees, and staff from various wards, communes, and localities, along with interested faculty and students.
An overview of the seminar.
In his speech at the seminar, Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh – President of UEH, affirmed that the two-tier local government model is a significant reform in state administration, aiming for a more modern, efficient, and citizen-centric administration. The merger and streamlining of administrative units are not just organizational changes but also a shift in management mindset, requiring policy synchronization, resource assurance, and enhanced local governance capacity. Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh also emphasized that the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City in general, and the College of Economics, Law and Government in particular, with its pioneering mission in research and training in economics, law, and public administration, is always committed to accompanying and contributing to the process of public governance innovation and the nation's sustainable development.
Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh – President of UEH, speaking at the seminar
In the spirit of academic exchange linked with practice, the seminar focused on discussing key issues:
- Models of two-tier local government worldwide and their practical application in Vietnam.
- The application of science and technology to enhance state management effectiveness under the new model.
- Mechanisms for fiscal decentralization under the two-tier local government model.
- Practical adjustments to fiscal decentralization in Vietnam to improve management efficiency under the new model.
At the seminar, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Minh Khoi – Lecturer at the School of Law, CELG, presented a theoretical framework on decentralization and devolution in local government, from the formation of concepts and areas of devolution (political, administrative, fiscal, economic) to organizational models and operating principles. He stressed the importance of designing a rational decentralization structure to ensure operational efficiency and avoid instability and disruptions in public service delivery. The presentation also analyzed international reform trends toward streamlining apparatus, enhancing autonomy, and promoting transparency and accountability of grassroots governments.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Minh Khoi – Lecturer at the School of Law, CELG, delivering his presentation.
Additionally, through the insights of Mr. Doan Duc Duy - Head of the Public Asset Management Office, Department of Finance of Dong Thap Province, delegates had the opportunity to hear a real-world account of the challenges in fiscal decentralization and public asset management in Dong Thap. The delegates jointly analyzed the practical obstacles arising from the restructuring of the administrative apparatus under the new model. Besides pointing out existing difficulties, Mr. Doan Duc Duy also proposed many practical solutions, from promoting the decentralization of revenue sources to strengthening the capacity of officials, aiming for a more streamlined and efficient local government model.
Mr. Doan Duc Duy - Head of the Public Asset Management Office, Department of Finance of Dong Thap Province, sharing a practical perspective.
Within the framework of the seminar, the presentation by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hong Thang – Lecturer at the School of Public Finance, CELG, shed light on various types of fiscal risks and their characteristics and impacts during the restructuring of local government in Vietnam. He also analyzed international experiences and provided policy discussions aimed at controlling risks and guiding future development.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hong Thang – Lecturer at the School of Public Finance, CELG, sharing his insights.
The discussion session was lively, with many practical opinions from representatives of the People's Councils, People's Committees of wards, and various departments. The seminar provided an open academic-practical forum where researchers and managers could share, dialogue, and suggest many practical reform solutions. This serves as an important basis for continuing to perfect the mechanisms of administrative and fiscal decentralization within the two-tier local government model, in line with the administrative reform process and sustainable development in Vietnam.
Mr. Vo Tan Duc - Party Secretary, Chairman of the People's Committee of Nhieu Loc Ward, HCMC, contributing to the discussion.
Mr. Nguyen Huu Nguyen - Vice Chairman of the Fatherland Front, Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Dong Nai Province, speaking at the seminar.
Mr. Doan Kim Thanh - Director of the Youth Center for Science and Technology, HCMC, exchanging ideas at the seminar.
A commemorative photo at the seminar.
Pillars: Research, Community Engagement
Project: UEH Connecting
News, photos: UEH College of Economics, Law and Government, Department of Communications and Partnerships
