As 2025 drew to a close, the Government’s steering and management efforts left a series of clear and substantive imprints. Amid continued global and regional uncertainty, and amid intertwined domestic challenges and opportunities, the Government and the Prime Minister remained steadfast in their objectives, flexible in policy responses and resolute in action, generating visible progress across most sectors.

Despite continued uncertainty in the global economy, particularly pressures from the United States’ reciprocal tariff policies and the severe impacts of natural disasters, Vietnam is projected to record GDP growth of more than 8% in 2025.

Administrative streamlining seen as key governance priority

One of the most notable hallmarks of the Government’s performance in 2025 was its determination to boost institutional reform and strengthen the effectiveness of national governance.

Decentralization and delegation continued to be accelerated under the principle of “localities decide, localities act, localities take responsibility,” in line with appropriate resource allocation and strengthened oversight and power control, thereby expanding local autonomy and flexibility and unlocking resources for development.

In lawmaking and policymaking, the Government undertook a fundamental shift in mindset, from “management” to “development facilitation,” and from “pre-approval” to “post-supervision.” It proactively submitted numerous draft laws featuring more open and flexible mechanisms, promptly addressing long-standing institutional bottlenecks.

Through two regular sessions and one extraordinary session of the National Assembly in 2025, the Government introduced breakthrough reforms, securing the passage of nearly 90 laws. These included key legislation on land, public investment and local government organization, granting greater authority to localities in investment decisions, budget allocation and administrative restructuring.

The restructuring and streamlining of the state apparatus were carried out decisively under the Party’s guidance, following a “learning-by-doing” approach. To date, the administrative system from central to grassroots levels has gradually stabilized, delivering improved public services and earning positive social feedback.

As a result of the overhaul, five ministries and three Government-affiliated agencies were reduced, along with 30 general department-level units, 1,025 department- and bureau-level units, 4,413 divisions and offices, and 240 public service units. At the local level, 466 departments and agencies were streamlined.

Assessing the operation of the two-tier local government model, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said the system has progressively taken root and delivered efficiency gains, notably through expanded online procedures and reduced administrative intermediaries.

Throughout the year, the Government and the Prime Minister proactively issued more than 140 decrees, resolutions, directives and decisions to remove bottlenecks, refine institutions and respond promptly to emerging challenges. Ministries and agencies devised synchronized and timely implementing guidelines, while localities demonstrated a high sense of responsibility, initiative and determination in the implementation process.

Building momentum for next period

According to Government assessments and expert views, 2025 carries special significance as a pivotal year for Vietnam. It marks the final year of the 2021-2025 socio-economic development plan, a period of acceleration aimed at maximizing results, while laying a solid foundation for the 2026–2030 phase. This transition is intended to prepare the country to enter a new era, an era of national advancement, requiring higher standards in growth quality, competitiveness and sustainability.

The Government identified a consistent governance approach, prioritizing strategic breakthroughs such as institutional improvement, integrated infrastructure development, attraction of high-tech foreign direct investment, digital and green transformation, and the advancement of a knowledge-based economy, thereby setting the stage for stronger growth beyond 2025.

Accordingly, decisive efforts were made to speed up public investment disbursement, remove obstacles facing nationally important infrastructure projects, foster new growth drivers, expand export markets, and support business recovery and expansion. These coordinated measures played a critical role in sustaining growth momentum and reinforcing confidence among enterprises and investors, paving the way toward the goal of double-digit growth from 2026.

Alongside institutional and administrative reforms, the Government continued to give comprehensive attention to economic, cultural, social, defence, security and foreign affairs priorities. Improvements were seen in social welfare and living standards, along with intensified inspection, anti-corruption and waste prevention efforts. Social order and safety remained stable.

Notably, the nationwide campaign to eliminate makeshift and dilapidated housing concluded after one year and four months, five years and four months ahead of schedule.

Nearly VND50 trillion was mobilized to replace or upgrade 334,234 substandard homes. On November 30, 2025, the Prime Minister launched the rapid-response “Quang Trung Campaign” to rebuild and repair homes damaged by natural disasters in central provinces, targeting the construction of 1,628 new houses by January 31, 2026, and the repair of 34,352 damaged homes by December 31, 2025.

At the same time, a series of breakthrough policies in healthcare and education were introduced. Resolution No. 71 set targets for universal preschool education for children aged three to five and raising the upper secondary school completion rate among youth to at least 85% by 2030. Resolution No. 72 aims to provide free periodic health check-ups nationwide from 2026, progressing toward basic healthcare cost coverage under health insurance by 2030, ensuring universal access to essential medical services and leaving no one behind.

Amid persistent and unprecedented challenges, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh said the Government remained united and resolute, fulfilling its mandates and delivering notable outcomes: macroeconomic stability, sustained high growth, far-reaching institutional reform, breakthrough infrastructure development, safeguarded defence and security, and an enhanced national standing.

“These achievements have firmly strengthened public confidence, while creating momentum, foundations and driving forces for rapid and sustainable development as the country moves steadily into a new era,” he stressed.

The year 2025 also marked a major breakthrough in infrastructure development, laying a critical foundation for a modern, integrated national infrastructure system capable of meeting the demands of the new development period.

Marking major political and historical milestones, including the 50th anniversary of national reunification, the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2, and preparations for the 14th National Party Congress, three nationwide waves of groundbreaking and inauguration ceremonies for major projects were held in 2025.

Across these phases, more than 560 projects were launched or finalized, with total investment exceeding VND 5.14 quadrillion. Nearly 140 large-scale projects were completed and put into effective operation, many of which are symbolic and strategically significant for socio-economic development, national defence, security and international integration.

The scale, volume and pace of infrastructure development in 2025 reflected strong political resolve in tackling complex and unprecedented challenges, while underscoring the strategic vision, innovative thinking and decisive action of the Party and the State in shaping new development space and building solid momentum for Vietnam’s next phase of rapid and sustainable growth.

PM requires better government performance

The Prime Minister has asked Cabinet members and officials from relevant agencies to seriously observe the Government’s working regulations to achieve sounder operations, performances and coordination.