Administrative Reform Gives New Momentum to Lam Dong's External Relations
After ranking last in Lam Dong's 2025 administrative reform index, the provincial Department of Foreign Affairs has climbed into the "Good" performance category during the first six months of 2026. The improvement reflects significant progress in administrative reform efforts, helping enhance the efficiency of the province's external relations.
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From the Bottom of the Rankings to the Leading Group
During the first six months of 2026, the Department of Foreign Affairs recorded an administrative reform index of 90.08%, ranking 7th among provincial departments and agencies and earning a "Good" rating. This marks a remarkable turnaround from 2025, when the department ranked last with a score of 60.43%.
The improvement resulted from the implementation of a wide range of reforms, particularly in streamlining administrative procedures, restructuring the organizational system, strengthening public service discipline, and accelerating digital transformation.
The department scored 59 points out of a possible 65.5 points under the assessment framework. Four evaluation categories received full marks: the development and implementation of legal documents, administrative procedure reform, organizational restructuring, and public finance reform.
During the first half of the year, the department completed 22 of its 40 administrative reform tasks, while the remaining tasks progressed according to schedule.
Beyond the number of plans and regulations issued, the most significant achievement has been improved operational efficiency. Since March 15, 2026, 100% of administrative procedures under the department's authority have been processed through the provincial Administrative Procedure Information System.
All applications were processed either on time or ahead of schedule, with no overdue cases. The digitization rate for both application files and processing results reached 100%, and all results were delivered electronically through the National Public Service Portal.
In the field of foreign affairs, every administrative application is linked to international cooperation, foreign delegations, overseas media activities, or investment promotion. Faster and more transparent procedures therefore help maintain the momentum of the province's international engagement while creating greater convenience for businesses and partners.
A representative of a company that regularly participates in Lam Dong's international promotion programs said that online submission, progress tracking, and clear guidance from the outset have enabled businesses to work more proactively with overseas partners while reducing travel time and paperwork.
According to Tran Thanh Hoai, Deputy Director of the Lam Dong Department of Foreign Affairs, the results represent the first stage of a broader effort to strengthen administrative discipline, standardize procedures, and enhance accountability across the department.
Our goal is not simply to improve performance scores, but to establish clear responsibilities, ensure work is completed on schedule, and facilitate the province's external relations activities.
Tran Thanh Hoai
Deputy Director, Lam Dong Department of Foreign Affairs
In addition to processing administrative applications, the department advised the Provincial People's Committee on the publication of five sets of administrative procedures, approved internal procedures as the basis for electronic workflows, and prepared conditions for decentralizing administrative procedures related to foreign press activities.
Bringing Foreign Affairs into the Digital Environment
Administrative reform at the Department of Foreign Affairs is closely linked to digital transformation. Digital platforms have evolved from support tools into the foundation for management and daily operations.
Currently, 100% of documents and information not classified as state secrets are processed digitally through the department's electronic document management system.
The department has also upgraded its bilingual Vietnamese-English website to improve accessibility, provide public information, promote Lam Dong's image, and strengthen external communications. Meanwhile, the "Lam Dong International Integration" Facebook page continues to serve as an information channel for international cooperation and global integration activities.
In addition, the "Lam Dong Foreign Affairs" Zalo group now connects departmental divisions with foreign affairs officers in 124 communes, wards, and special administrative zones, significantly shortening communication time and enabling prompt responses to issues arising at the grassroots level.
Although considerable progress has been made, the Department of Foreign Affairs continues to focus on improving leadership and management practices, public service performance, and digital government development in order to further enhance service quality.
The department's progress during the first half of 2026 demonstrates that administrative reform is no longer reflected solely in performance indicators. It has become embedded in everyday administrative processes. As procedures become simpler, responsibilities more clearly defined, and digital platforms serve as the operational foundation, Lam Dong's external relations are gaining new momentum to improve efficiency and better support international cooperation.