April 17, 2025
HANOI – Corruption, poverty, and employment issues have emerged as pressing concerns for Vietnamese citizens in 2024, particularly regarding governance, public administration, and service delivery. Notably, corruption has been identified as the number one issue demanding urgent government attention, a sentiment echoed during the launch of the 2024 Việt Nam Provincial Governance and Public Administration Performance Index (PAPI 2024) in Hà Nội.
This event, co-hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia, the Embassy of Ireland, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), unveiled findings from 18,894 randomly selected respondents on various governance aspects. The PAPI report, now in its 16th edition, reveals deep insights into public sentiments surrounding these critical issues.
According to the report, a notable 22.58% of respondents highlighted corruption as the foremost issue that the State should prioritize, reflecting a significant rise of 17% from the previous year. This increase may relate to high-profile corruption trials that have captivated the public’s attention, contributing to heightened awareness regarding the government’s focus on an intensified anti-corruption campaign.
Interestingly, even amid rising public concern over corruption, there has been a reported decrease in instances of informal fees or bribes for public services. This suggests a positive trend in local-level service delivery, indicating that while broader concerns exist, tangible improvements are being made.
The report emphasizes the necessity for government authorities at all levels to enhance transparency in public service delivery. Recommendations include strengthening law enforcement and protecting whistleblowers, especially following a recent restructuring of administrative units. These measures aim to foster trust and accountability in governance.
Turning to economic matters, the report highlights a significant improvement in household economic conditions compared to 2023, with only 10.2% of respondents rating their economic situation as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’—the lowest since 2019. Despite this progress, poverty remains the second most prominent concern, with 14.2% of respondents calling for the government’s urgent attention to this issue.
Employment issues follow closely, cited by 12.64% of respondents as a top priority for government action. While Việt Nam’s GDP grew by 7.09% in 2024, economic insecurity at the household level remains a critical challenge, particularly among vulnerable groups. The report underscores the strong link between citizens’ perceptions of economic well-being and access to social insurance.
Deirdre Ní Fhallúin, the Irish Ambassador to Việt Nam, noted that “Social insurance coverage in Việt Nam is expanding, but it still remains limited.” The PAPI survey revealed that only 29% of respondents are covered by social insurance, with significantly lower rates among agricultural workers, informal sector employees, and ethnic minorities. The anticipated expansion under the 2024 Social Insurance Law is expected to address these economic unease and poverty concerns.
The impact of climate change is another pressing issue highlighted in the report. Nearly 40% of respondents reported that their households or communities experienced direct effects from extreme weather events in the past year, underscoring a growing public vulnerability. Addressing this concern calls for improved disaster preparedness and investments in resilient infrastructure tailored to the needs of local communities.
Moreover, the 2024 PAPI indicates encouraging steps taken by local governments in governance and public service delivery. However, substantial room for improvement remains evident. The findings reveal disparities in citizen satisfaction across different demographic groups. For instance, women, ethnic minorities, those residing temporarily, and individuals in rural or remote areas reported lower satisfaction levels with local governance and public services.
While digital governance initiatives in Việt Nam have made commendable strides, significant gaps persist. Access to the internet and digital public services varies widely, particularly among different gender groups and between urban and rural residents. This underscores a need for continued focus on equitable access to services.
Ramla Khalidi, the UNDP Resident Representative in Việt Nam, emphasized that the 2024 PAPI survey findings present both an urgent need and a significant opportunity to advocate for gender equality and social inclusion through ongoing governance reforms in 2025. These insights are essential for fostering a people-centered governance reform approach that delivers tangible benefits for all Vietnamese citizens.
As Việt Nam embarks on a historic reform of its public administration system, including the implementation of a two-tier government model and provincial administrative restructuring, this period presents a crucial opportunity to enhance inclusive governance. Engaging with citizen feedback as captured in the PAPI Index allows for improved policy effectiveness and responsiveness, paving the way for a more effective future governance framework.