Prime Minister Le Minh Hung: In difficult times, ministries and localities must curb spending on procurement, conferences, and travel

This morning in Hanoi, the first session of the Central Emulation and Commendation Council for the 2026–2031 term was held under the chairmanship of Lê Minh Hưng, a Politburo member and Prime Minister of Vietnam, who also serves as Chairman of the Council.

The meeting reviewed and discussed the Council’s core tasks in the near term, including guidance on organizing and implementing the emulation movement for socio-economic development with the goal of sustainable two-digit growth for 2026–2030. Delegates also considered awarding titles such as Hero of the People’s Armed Forces and Hero of Labour to collectives and individuals.

Guidance on emulation priorities for 2026–2030

Remarks at the session aligned with the Council’s forward-looking directions and the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ plan to implement the emulation movement aimed at sustainable two-digit growth for 2026–2030.

Delegates said launching and implementing the movement is essential to create a strong emulation atmosphere, strengthen national solidarity, and mobilize patriotism and creativity across all sectors to achieve a prosperous, independent, peaceful, democratic, and wealthy socialist Vietnam.

Assessment of prior emulation work

The Prime Minister said that over the past period, emulation and commendation work has shown positive changes, becoming more routine and substantive and better aligned with the country’s political tasks, contributing to the success of the XIII Party Congress.

He noted that emulation movements have continued to innovate in content and form, delivering results and serving as a key driver for meeting economic-social development goals while also ensuring national defense, security, and improving people’s living standards.

Link rewards and implementation to development targets

The Prime Minister emphasized that emulation must be tied to achieving and surpassing development targets, especially the two-digit growth objective. He called for implementation with clear criteria, deadlines, responsible units, and measurable outcomes, alongside strengthened leadership accountability.

He also directed that rewards should be fair and timely, avoiding formality, and should focus on the people, grassroots bases, and direct value creators. The Council should identify, honor, and scale exemplary models and effective practices, translating policy into concrete action and tangible results.

Near-term focus: growth, productivity, and competitiveness

In terms of targets, the Prime Minister urged ministries, sectors, and localities to align with the action program for implementing the XIVth Party Congress and other central resolutions and conclusions, using specific indicators to work toward the set goals.

The near-term focus includes promoting two-digit growth; transforming growth models through science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation; and raising labor productivity and competitiveness.

Administrative reform and removing bottlenecks

To support these goals, the Prime Minister called for expediting administrative reform, reducing business conditions, and improving the business environment to lower costs and compliance time for citizens and enterprises. He also urged improving the efficiency of two-tier local administration, designating 2026 as the year to “improve the quality of grassroots officials,” and addressing institutional and legal bottlenecks to unlock resources and develop both traditional and new growth drivers.

Savings and anti-waste measures

The Prime Minister further called for intensified savings and anti-waste measures, including a minimum 10% reduction of current expenditures in 2026—estimated at roughly 170–180 trillion VND—to fund priority tasks. He also requested energy, electricity, and fuel savings with specific targets.

“All levels and ministries must save; the tougher the circumstances, the more savings are required in procurement, organizing conferences and meetings, and travel,” he said.

Implementation requirements and monitoring

The Prime Minister said Central Resolution 18 calls for unifying thinking, aspiration, and action to achieve two-digit growth, with participation required not only from the political system but also from citizens and the business community.

He also requested improving the quality of policy advice and implementation, encouraging the Interior Ministry’s initiative and creativity, and strengthening monitoring and supervision based on digital data.

Next steps

Immediately after the meeting, the Prime Minister requested that ministries, agencies, and localities promptly implement the new phase of emulation movements to bring about noticeable changes and contribute to achieving the nation’s development goals under the XIVth Congress.