Navigating Vietnam’s Administrative Reforms: HSCV's Vision for Opportunity and Impact

Photo: Nhan Dan Newspaper

Vietnam is entering a period of major transformation. In 2025, the country will restructure how its government operates - merging district-level governments, combining smaller communes into larger units, and grouping the current 63 provinces into 28 larger provinces and 6 centrally-run cities. 

These changes are designed to make public services more efficient, reduce bureaucracy, and create stronger coordination across regions. For the communities we work with, this shift will bring new ways of accessing support—especially as more services go online.

At Humanitarian Services for Children of Vietnam (HSCV) we see these changes not as obstacles, but as opportunities. They offer new ways to reach more people, deepen our partnerships, and strengthen the systems that surround the children and families we serve.

Reaching More People, Building Stronger Communities

As communities expand, so does our potential to make an impact.  Instead of navigating multiple layers of local administration, we’ll be able to work more efficiently within larger, unified areas—cutting red tape and allowing us to implement projects more swiftly. Larger communes foster opportunities for integrated development. Previously disparate areas - one perhaps specializing in agriculture, another in poultry - can now collaborate directly under unified administration.

Our Youth Investment Program (YIP), Family Investment Program (FIP) and Community Investment Program (CIP) are strategically designed for synergy. By strengthening the support systems around the youth and their families, we’re able to build stronger, more resilient communities that grow together. Our programs deliver diverse income-generating activities like green farming and husbandry to families, while our community interventions emphasize environmental initiatives and foster connections through investing in community lead groups and facilities. 

This holistic approach builds community resilience from the ground up empowering our beneficiaries to shape their own futures.

Working Hand-in-Hand with Local Leaders and Communities

As new local leadership takes shape, we’re ready to strengthen partnerships and co-create solutions that reflect evolving community priorities. Through our international emphasis on deep collaboration with local government partners and community leaders, we are well-positioned to gain critical insights into local priorities and effectively tailor our interventions.

Larger administrative areas may bring together previously distinct communes—each with their own histories, needs, and dynamics. This integration offers a chance to build connections, but also requires thoughtful relationship-building. HSCV is ready to support that transition by working closely with local authorities, civil society groups, and families to foster inclusive, community-led development. 

Through our youth, family and community focused activities we’ll facilitate dialogue, organize community-building activities, and help bridge differences so new communes can move forward with shared purpose. By investing in connection, we help ensure smoother transitions and more cohesive, resilient communities.

Photo: Nhan Dan Newspaper

Bridging the digital divide and building capacity

One of the most transformative parts of these reforms is the push toward digital government services. This shift has the potential to reduce travel time, simplify paperwork, and improve access to information. However, this vision can only be fully realized if everyone can get online and knows how to navigate these systems.   

That’s where HSCV comes in. We're incorporating digital literacy training throughout our programs and increasing access to devices by installing computers in community houses and schools. By offering hands-on workshops and real-life guidance, we’re helping communities gain the digital skills they need to confidently access services, stay connected to government programs and maintain civic participation. We want every young person, parent, and elder to feel confident using online services, from registering for health services, applying to schools, to accessing government benefits and resources. By empowering communities with digital skills, we help ensure no one is left behind as Vietnam modernizes.

These changes also open the door to broader community capacity-building. As governance becomes more centralized and demands grow, so too must the knowledge and leadership within communities. We’re designing new learning opportunities across our programs - equipping youth, caregivers, and local leaders with the tools to adapt and thrive.

Streamlining for greater efficiency

As Vietnam’s systems become more streamlined, we’re ready to move with greater speed and focus. With fewer bureaucratic hurdles and faster approval processes, we’ll be able to spend less time on paperwork - and more time doing what matters most: supporting children, families, and communities.

Delivering timely, high-quality support has always been our priority. As the new administrative structures take shape, we’re prepared to work within these updated systems and build stronger, more direct lines of communication with local authorities. This will allow us to respond quickly to emerging needs and implement programs more efficiently across our growing project areas.

HSCV’s commitment: thriving in a new era

HSCV in a meeting with the local partners and authority in Phu Son Commune in June 2025. Photo: HSCV.

Vietnam’s reforms mark the start of a new chapter—and HSCV is ready. We’ve strengthened our team, aligned our programs, and deepened our relationships with the communities we serve.

With your continued support, we’ll make the most of these improvements —reaching more people, growing stronger together, and ensuring every child and family has the opportunity to thrive in this new landscape.