Vietnam’s Resolution No. 66/NQ-CP was issued at a time when administrative procedure reform is under increasing pressure from economic growth requirements and deeper international integration. For Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s economic hub, administrative reform has become a direct test of urban governance capacity and institutional effectiveness.
From the perspective of German enterprises operating in the city, recent improvements in administrative procedures have delivered tangible progress, particularly in faster processing times, enhanced digital access, and a more supportive approach from public authorities. These developments have enabled businesses to operate with greater proactivity and efficiency.
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The introduction of a two-tier urban governance model has also brought advantages, especially in terms of accessibility at the local level. In many districts, closer interaction and more responsive support have been positively acknowledged by the business community. However, decentralization has also exposed a critical structural challenge: inconsistent interpretation and implementation of regulations across authorities. Companies may receive differing guidance for the same procedure depending on the handling agency, affecting project timelines and increasing compliance costs—particularly for complex industrial investments.
German enterprises strongly support the strategic direction of Resolution 66, notably its objectives to reduce compliance costs and expand online public services. In practice, digitalization has already eased administrative burdens through online submissions, improved access to information, and fewer in-person visits. Nevertheless, reform progress remains uneven. Certain procedures still require manual handling at final stages, resulting in fragmented digital workflows. Businesses therefore expect future reforms to prioritize system integration and standardized execution, rather than partial or isolated digitalization.
For German investors, consistency and predictability in policy implementation outweigh short-term incentives. Divergent application of the same regulation increases legal uncertainty, raises capital costs, and slows investment decisions. International surveys among European and American business communities consistently identify regulatory unpredictability as a greater risk than taxation or operational costs. Investors are not seeking preferential treatment, but a rules-based system where regulations are applied uniformly, regardless of administrative level.
International experience from Germany, Europe, and other globally competitive cities demonstrates that administrative reform must extend beyond shortening processing times. Sustainable reform requires standardized interpretation of regulations, genuinely end-to-end one-stop public service mechanisms, and clear institutional accountability. In emerging areas such as green industry, green finance, and innovation, controlled policy sandbox frameworks can enable new business models while managing regulatory risks. Ultimately, the effectiveness of reform should be measured by actual business experience, not merely by the number of procedures reduced.
Ho Chi Minh City is now entering a pivotal phase. Strengthening consistency in policy implementation, while linking administrative reform with financial infrastructure and innovation ecosystems, will be essential. In this context, the development of a financial center can serve as a capital backbone for industrial FDI and green supply chains. Equally important is the continuation of structured and substantive policy dialogue with the business community. If the City can establish a system defined by a single interpretation, a unified process, and a clearly accountable focal point for key industrial FDI procedures, German enterprises stand ready to expand investment, transfer technology, and deepen their long-term commitment to Ho Chi Minh City.