With 436 out of 438 delegates in favor, the National Assembly this morning passed a resolution adjusting and supplementing the 2025 state budget to fund policy implementation for civil servants and public employees affected by government restructuring.

Specifically, the National Assembly approved the use of 15.71 trillion VND (from unspent 2024 central budget wage reform funds) to supplement the 2025 budget, supporting ministries, central agencies, and local authorities in fulfilling their responsibilities.

In addition, a further 28.29 trillion VND in budget revenue - accumulated from central wage reform savings - will be added to this year’s budget to finance the same goals.

This brings the total additional central budget allocation for 2025 to 44 trillion VND (approximately USD 1.73 billion), which will be used to cover policies and benefits for officials, civil servants, public employees, and workers during the process of downsizing and restructuring state bodies.

Should emerging costs exceed the 44 trillion VND limit, the government may utilize remaining 2024 wage reform savings, but must report to the National Assembly at the nearest session.

The National Assembly also approved transferring 6.623 trillion VND of unallocated 2024 regular expenditure to 2025, to fund free tuition policies and other tasks related to government restructuring (excluding salary benefits).

According to calculations by the Ministry of Education and Training, an estimated 10 trillion VND is required to fully implement free tuition from preschool to high school, with 4.5 trillion VND needed this year alone.

Additionally, the National Assembly agreed to allocate 3% of the total 2025 state budget (approximately 25 trillion VND) for science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, in alignment with Resolution 57 of the Politburo.

The government is tasked with implementing the resolution efficiently, ensuring strict compliance with spending standards and avoiding waste or mismanagement. A detailed report must be submitted to the National Assembly at its next meeting.

The State Audit Office of Vietnam will be responsible for auditing the resolution's implementation, ensuring it aligns with legal requirements.

After the restructuring process, the number of provincial-level civil servants and public employees is expected to be around 91,784 - down by 18,449; commune-level staff will be reduced to just over 199,000 - cutting approximately 110,000 positions; and over 120,000 part-time commune-level workers will be phased out entirely.

Tran Thuong