According to the Politburo's decision on 2/6, the total personnel quota for 2026 is 1,878,362 positions distributed across central and local levels. Central Party agencies, Party affiliates, the Fatherland Front, socio-political organizations at the central level, and Party committees of central Party agencies are allocated 12,818 positions. This central quota includes 2,999 officials and public employees, 9,133 civil servants, and 686 positions for mass associations tasked by the Party and State.

For provincial and communal levels, 1,865,544 positions are assigned to Party agencies, local governments, the Fatherland Front, and socio-political organizations. This local quota comprises 314,604 officials and public employees, along with 1,550,940 civil servants.

Ho Chi Minh City will receive the largest allocation with 145,783 personnel, followed by Hanoi with 128,065, and Phu Tho with 81,691.

The Politburo has assigned the Central Organization Commission to distribute the 2026 personnel quota to agencies, units, organizations, and localities under its management based on this decision.

Do Thanh Ha, a public employee at Hanoi Public Administration Service Center branch 3, guides citizens on using public services. *Photo: Trong Dat*

Provincial and city Party Committees directly under the Central Government, Party Committees of central Party agencies, the Fatherland Front Party Committee, central mass organizations, and central Party affiliates are responsible for allocating and transferring personnel among their subordinate units, ensuring the total allocated quota is not exceeded.

This allocation follows significant personnel reductions. Government statistics from the end of 2025 showed that reorganizing the apparatus, merging provincial and communal administrative units, and concluding district-level operations led to a reduction of approximately 145,000 officials and civil servants. This effort saved about 39,000 billion VND in recurrent expenditures.

Looking ahead, the Politburo's conclusion on 2/6 mandates further streamlining. It requires a continued reduction of 5% to 10% of personnel across the entire political system during the 2027-2031 period. Additionally, cadre evaluation will be tightened under the principle of "in with merit, out without". The Politburo also called for reviewing and reallocating personnel from underperforming units to those facing staff shortages or heavy workloads.

In the coming period, personnel management will shift focus from quantity to the quality and effectiveness of public service. Officials, public employees, and civil servants will undergo regular evaluations based on specific criteria. Those who fail to meet job requirements or complete their tasks will be removed from the system, making way for competent replacements.

Vu Tuan