Ho Chi Minh City leads the way in implementing non-local administrative procedures

Since July 31, Ho Chi Minh City has officially implemented non-local administrative procedures for 1,182 procedures at the department and sector level and 154 procedures at the commune level. This marks a significant breakthrough in administrative reform, playing an important role in advancing the construction of a digital government aimed at serving the people more effectively.

Staff at the Public Administrative Service Centre in Go Vap Ward receive and process documents for residents.

Comprehensive and thorough preparation

Vo Thi Trung Trinh, Director of the City’s Digital Transformation Centre, stated that the centre has coordinated with the Cit Department of Science and Technology to develop standard models for facilities, information technology equipment, and communication infrastructure for the City’s Public Administrative Service Centre and 38 local teams. They have provided technical guidance and reviewed equipment to propose investments in digital technology infrastructure. Wards, communes, and special zones - where local teams are stationed - have arranged at least 3 to 5 transaction counters to receive non-local administrative procedures under the jurisdiction of departments and sectors. The center also collaborates with ministries, sectors, and departments to interconnect systems, synchronise data, and ensure smooth operations.

“Early deployment of non-local administrative procedures is a breakthrough step as the country moves toward a modern, convenient, and transparent administration. This model removes geographic barriers, enhances flexibility, and enables people and businesses to choose the most convenient locations to submit their documents. The city has prepared comprehensively - from infrastructure, shared data, digital platforms, personnel training to smart processing procedures - laying a solid foundation for effective operation,” Trinh emphasised. In the long term, non-local procedures are the premise for building a digital government where all public services can be performed “anytime, anywhere,” no longer dependent on traditional administrative boundaries.

The reception of non-local administrative procedures in Thu Duc Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. (

Flexible adjustments in line with reality

In Saigon Ward, the Public Administrative Service Centre has set up five service counters and upgraded its IT infrastructure to ensure stable network connections and adequate staffing, in line with the city’s directives.

Bui Truong Giang, Deputy Director of the Public Administrative Service Centre in Saigon Ward, stated, “Officials have been trained in new operational procedures, with clear task assignments and responsibilities, ready to handle non-local administrative procedures. This is an opportunity to restructure the apparatus, standardise processes, and improve public service capacity, moving towards a modern digital government.”

After a month of receiving applications at the ward’s one-stop service counter, the demand from citizens and businesses for non-local administrative procedures has been substantial. The city needs to continue supporting technical system upgrades, strengthen operational monitoring, and implement flexible mechanisms to promptly address arising difficulties.

According to Nguyen Chi Thanh, Deputy Director of the Public Administrative Service Centre in Go Vap Ward, residents are eager for the government to implement non-local administrative procedures. The ward has added five counters equipped with professional staff to ensure smooth operation alongside the existing 15 counters. The centre serves approximately 600–800 citizens daily.

As the only ward in the former Go Vap district with a branch of the Land Registration Office, many administrative procedures arise here, putting considerable workload pressure on staff. With the implementation of non-local administrative procedures, the number of citizens coming for services is expected to increase significantly. Therefore, the ward plans to expand the centre’s space, add at least three more service counters, and submit proposals to competent authorities for equipment upgrades.

In the near future, the ward will put into operation the “Neighbourhood Management Software”; pilot certain areas allowing citizens to register online from home and schedule appointments to complete administrative procedures at the centre; and boost communication efforts to support citizens in carrying out online administrative services.

Vo Thi Trung Trinh noted that the rollout of non-local administrative procedures may cause localised pressure and overload at central locations. “After the first pilot phase, the city will evaluate the situation, develop flexible staff redeployment mechanisms, strengthen mobile support teams, invest in infrastructure at high-demand sites, and analyse case processing data to provide targeted assistance,” she said.

NDO