Report Thanh Hoa Deploys 360 Officials to Bridge Staffing Gaps

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Photo courtesy of VN Express

 

In response to recent administrative restructures, Thanh Hoa Province in Vietnam is dispatching 360 civil servants to address staffing shortages in mountainous and border areas. The initiative, set to commence in August, awaits approval from the provincial People’s Council, as stated by Dau Thanh Tung, Deputy Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee.

 

A major reshuffle has seen the consolidation of district and commune administrations, creating an imbalance—mountainous regions now lack qualified officials, while lowland areas have a surplus. The Department of Home Affairs is actively working to match personnel with the needs of these highland communities.

 

To incentivise the move, Thanh Hoa has allocated more than VND45 billion (approximately 1.86 billion Thai Baht) from its budget over three years. The plan offers two levels of financial support to volunteers. Those assigned to Muong Lat, Quan Hoa, Quan Son, Lang Chanh, Ba Thuoc, and Thuong Xuan will receive a monthly allowance of 1.75 times the base salary. Meanwhile, officials deployed to Ngoc Lac, Thach Thanh, Cam Thuy, Nhu Thanh, and Nhu Xuan will receive 1.25 times the base salary. This added compensation will continue for up to three years or until a permanent reassignment occurs.

 

This strategic deployment follows an earlier movement of 15 officials to Pu Nhi Commune and Muong Lat District to bolster governance after the mergers. Whilst the new two-tier local government model has stabilised most areas, some communes still face challenges due to limited professional expertise.

 

Provincial leaders stress the importance of ongoing monitoring and adjustment to ensure effective local governance. Thanh Hoa, spanning over 11,100 square kilometres and housing a population of around 4.3 million, has reduced its commune-level administrative units from 547 to 166 as a result of this restructuring, with 21 border communes remaining unchanged.

 

The move highlights the province's commitment to maintaining smooth operations and improving administrative efficiency across its diverse regions. By strategically deploying civil servants and offering financial incentives, Thanh Hoa aims to balance its workforce distribution and ensure effective local governance despite significant structural changes.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from VN Express 2025-08-01