Public administration reform within the socialist party state: the case of Vietnam

This chapter focuses on changes in public governance which occurred alongside Vietnam's economic liberalization since 1986. The core of public governance changes is the public administration reform (PAR). The chapter explains how PAR works within Vietnam's party state. It argues that Vietnam Communist Party's ultimate priority to sustain and improve the legitimacy to rule on the one hand, and the diffused power base within the party state on other, are the two decisive factors to explain the success and failure of PAR in Vietnam. As a result of PAR, the government efficiency has been improved significantly. That improvement also contributes to Vietnam's continuing success in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, the chapter analyzes the country's strategies toward digital government, the next goal of Vietnam PAR in the post-pandemic era.