Improving the quality of communal-level civil servants in the current new context: A case study of Hai Phong City

Abstract

The article delves into the pivotal role of building a capable and committed team of commune-level civil servants in Hai Phong city - a mission that has become increasingly urgent in today’s context of administrative reform, grassroots empowerment, and deeper international integration. Commune-level civil servants are not merely passive executors of Party and State directives; they are, in essence, the frontline ambassadors of the State - those who engage daily with the people, address the most immediate and pressing administrative concerns, and channel grassroots voices upward. In this "new context", where local governance is expected to be both responsive and developmental, the commune-level cadre emerges as a critical link in the broader machinery of state efficiency. The article takes a hard look at the current status of this team in Hai Phong: their professional competencies, administrative capabilities, morale, and the structural frameworks that govern their work. While there has been measurable progress - notably in professional development and digital adaptation - several persistent issues remain: a lack of real work incentives, inconsistencies in qualifications, and management mechanisms that are still too rigid or opaque to foster excellence. To build a truly professional, modern, and effective local administration, the article proposes a set of pragmatic yet ambitious solutions: intensifying targeted training programs with an emphasis on digital governance and citizen-centric service; overhauling incentive structures to genuinely inspire public servants rather than simply retain them; and constructing a transparent, merit-based performance evaluation system that recognizes real contributions over mere formality. If Hai Phong aims to chart a sustainable development course and fulfill its role in national modernization, then strengthening its commune-level civil service isn’t a choice - it’s a necessity. This task demands not only strategic investment but also a long-term vision that respects tradition while embracing change.