In the first nine months of 2024, Ca Mau once again claimed the top spot in Vietnam’s public service index for citizen and business satisfaction. The ranking reflects Ca Mau’s steadfast efforts to foster a transparent, investor-friendly environment aligned with its planning roadmap through to 2050.

Ca Mau authorities have been deploying a range of innovative solutions to raise service quality across all sectors. Key among these initiatives is a strategic push to enhance e-government capabilities, prioritising digitalising administrative procedures to streamline governance and advance the province’s digital transformation goals.

The province is prioritising efficiency by going digital

Since 2023 the province has led the nation’s public service performance rankings, achieving a commendable score of 88.32 points. Though slightly down by 0.67 points from the previous year, this score still positions the province as a benchmark for excellence in administrative reform and service delivery for citizens and businesses alike.

Lam Van Bi, Deputy Chairman of Ca Mau People’s Committee, attributes this achievement to strong, consistent leadership across all government departments. The chairman regularly hosts monthly meetings to review economic and social development initiatives as well as progress in administrative reform, ensuring that service delivery remains a top priority.

Additionally, Ca Mau’s administration has issued several directives in recent months to streamline government operations. In June, the provincial People’s Committee issued a plan to bolster the province’s administrative reform and improve citizen satisfaction with government services. There is also a focus on restructuring public sector management to streamline and improve capacity for digital transformation, which aims to integrate digital governance at all levels.

Further underscoring its commitment to transparency and accessibility, the chairman has enacted nearly 30 directives covering over 350 administrative procedures on the National Public Service Portal, encompassing all major levels of provincial governance.

To make administrative processes more citizen-friendly, Ca Mau has also simplified dozens of procedures within its jurisdiction, achieving a 100 per cent completion rate for such reforms. In addition, the chairman has approved reduced processing times for nine internal administrative procedures, with over 1,360 public and 33 internal administrative procedures now offering faster service compared to standard regulations.

Ca Mau’s achievements in administrative reform were evident in early 2024, with key performance indicators surpassing set targets. The province reached an online document processing rate of 81.8 per cent, exceeding its goal of 80 per cent. The online payment adoption rate also rose significantly to 84.4 per cent, far above the target of 60 per cent.

The province’s commitment to restructuring its public service units has led to a reduction of seven public entities in 2024, marking a cumulative decrease of 122 entities since 2015. Recruitment and management of civil servants and public employees continue to operate under rigorous standards, with all administrative and public service units aligning with approved job position frameworks.

Efforts to manage public assets are equally rigorous, prioritising efficiency through measures such as leasing, asset liquidation, and reallocation. Digital technology plays a central role in these efforts, with 99 per cent of official documents utilising digital signatures and nearly all outgoing documents.

Ca Mau’s government is focused on further reforms to enhance its investment climate and increase the province’s competitiveness. It aims to reduce the time and cost of administrative processes for construction permits, asset registration, contract dispute resolution, and business bankruptcy cases. Improved land administration, increased adoption of IT solutions, and targeted vocational training also support the province’s mission to create a streamlined environment for startups and entrepreneurs.

Furthermore, Ca Mau has pledged to intensify its investment promotion efforts, prioritising high-quality projects that capitalise on the province’s unique strengths and competitive sectors. The province is fostering relationships with existing businesses and is leveraging these partnerships as channels to draw in new investors. A coordinated approach to the Annual Investment Promotion Programme ensures that Ca Mau remains attractive for both domestic and foreign investment.