Chairman of Phu Tho Tran Duy Dong: Personnel work is the "key of the keys"

One of the issues that has attracted special attention from both domestic and international public opinion as the country enters the New Era is that starting from July 1, 2025, the two-level local government model will come into operation. This is a new opportunity for localities to break through in development, but at the same time, more stringent requirements in many areas are also set. Thoi Dai would like to introduce a series of articles on this issue through the perspective of insiders who are leaders of the merged localities. First, is an interview with Mr. Tran Duy Dong, Chairman of the People's Committee of the new Phu Tho province, including the three former provinces of Phu Tho, Hoa Binh and Vinh Phuc.

-Sir, it can be said that Phu Tho is a rather special case when merging 3 provinces with many different conditions, this also reflects the reality that in this merger, the human factor will be very diverse in both capacity and culture. Given this situation, what principles do you orient your view on arranging personnel according to the 2-level government model?

- The merger of the three provinces of Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc and Hoa Binh is not simply an administrative decision but a strategic shift in national governance thinking, from a fragmented development model to an integrated spatial thinking, from local units to regional linkages with a strategic vision for sustainable development, identity and common prosperity.

With that goal, the viewpoint of arranging personnel according to the 2-level government model has been agreed by the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee according to the following principles:

1. The new apparatus must operate more effectively and more compactly; there must be no overlapping or vacancy in functions, tasks or management areas. Each cadre must identify his or her mission as a “gatekeeper” in the operation of the new government, and as the center of solidarity and innovation at the grassroots level.

Chairman of Phu Tho Provincial People's Committee Tran Duy Dong

2. The assigned cadres must be competent, have good qualities, have prestige, understand the area, be close to the people, dare to think, dare to do. In particular, the comrades assigned to hold key positions are considered the core in stabilizing the organization, operating the work and creating solidarity and consensus within the organization. This team of cadres must clearly demonstrate determination, have a systematic and scientific way of working, and closely coordinate with specialized departments and superior agencies to promptly and effectively implement tasks.

3. The Provincial People's Committee requires the government system from the province to the grassroots level not to leave any time gaps, not to interrupt administrative activities and services to the people; not to let the situation of "waiting for assignment" or "standing still" happen in the new government system, all must always be ready to operate in any situation, any task that arises.

-Operating the government apparatus smoothly and effectively is the top requirement of the Central Government today. In response to this requirement, in Phu Tho, how do you identify the human factor in relation to policies, economic advantages and other related conditions?

- In the context of the Central Government's requirement to operate the government apparatus smoothly and effectively, we clearly identify: People are the central and decisive factor. Although the mechanisms and policies are correct; although the natural and economic advantages are abundant, if there is a lack of cadres and civil servants with strong political will, pure moral qualities, and professional capacity to meet the requirements, it will be very difficult to turn potential into real results. Therefore, Phu Tho province always considers cadre work as the "key of the key", a breakthrough to improve the effectiveness of governance and operation.

In recent times, implementing the resolutions and directives of the Central Government, the Provincial Party Committee, the People's Council and the Provincial People's Committee have paid attention to streamlining the staff, making it more streamlined, with a reasonable structure and high quality; strengthening inspection, supervision, and tightening administrative discipline. The province also focuses on fostering digital skills and integration capacity, creating conditions for cadres and civil servants to practice in practice, promoting a sense of responsibility and innovation.

It can be affirmed that with synchronous policies, socio-economic advantages and rich cultural traditions, but first of all with a team of dedicated, capable and talented staff, Phu Tho will meet the requirements of rapid and sustainable development.

-After the merger, each locality has different priorities regarding personnel work. With your experience as a leader at the Ministry of Planning and Investment and Chairman of Vinh Phuc province (formerly), in special periods like now, what issues should Phu Tho prioritize regarding personnel work? Sir, is it youth, hard-working spirit, experience or training level?

- Personnel work is a key step, of decisive significance to the sustainable development of Phu Tho in the new development space. In the current special period, the province has determined that it cannot only prioritize a single factor, but needs a team of cadres that fully converge: Youth, creativity, dedication, practical experience and thorough training. This is a harmonious combination, complementing each other to create a class of cadres who have both political courage, the capacity for innovation and creativity, and are attached and devoted to the people.

In the immediate future, Phu Tho will focus on streamlining, training and using cadres in a streamlined, effective and efficient manner, linking planning with training and practical work; tightening administrative discipline and order; encouraging innovation, daring to think, daring to do, daring to take responsibility for the common good. Only on the basis of such a team of dedicated, capable and talented cadres can the province realize the goal of building a digital, green, circular, knowledge-based, deeply integrated economy, while promoting the position of the Hung Kings' Ancestral Land, the driving force of the region's development.

-Recently in the article “The Power of Unity”, General Secretary To Lam paid special attention to the solidarity factor in localities after the merger. The General Secretary stated: “The merger between a mountainous province and a delta province, or between a “rich” province and a “poor” province requires the leadership team to be truly impartial and have a vision…” (quoted verbatim). In Phu Tho, sir, how does the story of unity concern you?

- I really appreciate the article “ The Power of Unity ” by General Secretary To Lam. In it, the General Secretary emphasized the need for impartiality, vision and solidarity in post-merger localities. To me, solidarity is the “source”, the “red thread” running through all work, the decisive factor for success in leadership, management and development. Especially in the current period, the need for “unanimity from top to bottom, and smooth communication across the entire political system” has never been as urgent as it is now.

To turn the spirit of solidarity into concrete and effective actions, the People's Committee of Phu Tho province has issued a directive requiring all cadres, civil servants and public employees at all levels to unite, join forces, work with a positive, flexible and creative spirit, and absolutely not allow factionalism, localism or regional division to occur.

Heads of departments, branches and chairmen of commune and ward People's Committees must uphold the spirit of responsibility, concentrate their time and intelligence to advise and implement key tasks; at the same time, concretize and individualize collective and individual responsibilities in each stage of work. In particular, leaders must be exemplary, dare to think, dare to do, dare to take responsibility. Any manifestation of pushing, avoiding, lack of responsibility, causing delays in work will be strictly handled.

-The whole country is currently moving into a new era. As the Provincial Chairman, what goals and expectations do you have for the Phu Tho government staff in the upcoming joint development?

- Phu Tho's goal by 2030 is to become a center for the development of industry, trade, logistics, tourism, healthcare, high-quality education and training, and at the same time a locality that organizes major cultural festivals associated with the nation's roots. To realize that aspiration, we identify the decisive factor as building a team of cadres with political courage, intelligence, innovation capacity and integration ability.

Currently, the province is implementing strategic projects on developing high-quality human resources, associated with digital transformation and new development requirements; at the same time, streamlining the apparatus, rejuvenating and improving the quality of the team.

In the short term, the province has decided to mobilize about 400 provincial-level civil servants and officials to strengthen the grassroots, ensuring the smooth, effective and efficient operation of the two-level government apparatus. I believe that, with the consensus of the entire political system, the Phu Tho cadres will be the pioneering force to bring the province to rapid and sustainable development, worthy of its position as the center of the region and the sacred ancestral land of the nation.

-Thank you very much!

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/chu-tich-phu-tho-tran-duy-dong-cong-tac-can-bo-la-then-chot-cua-then-chot-216718.html