The reorganisation of villages, hamlets and residential groups is reshaping a significant transformation in the organisation along with operation across grassroots administrative system. Larger jurisdictions, expanding populations coupled with higher development demands require cadres who are not only dedicated and respected, but also equipped with governance, community engagement alongside digital skills, together with capacity to mobilise community initiatives.

On Monday morning at the Village 8 Community Cultural House in Ea Wer commune, village head Vu Dang Minh opened his laptop to review population data before a meeting. Instead of reading lengthy reports, he presented images and videos, while announcements posted in the village Zalo group remained concise. Key information, however, remained publicly displayed at the community cultural house. According to Mr. Minh, technology is simply a tool. What matters most is enabling cadres remain close to local communities, handle work more efficiently while delivering better public services.

Village head Vu Dang Minh of Village 8, Ea Wer commune, guiding residents in using the Level 2 VNeID application.

In Ea H'leo commune, Village 9 was established through the merger of three former villages and now comprises 304 households. When developing the personnel plan, the Party committee along with local authorities assessed each candidate, sought opinions from the Party cell, mass organisations together with residents before introducing nominees for community selection. Mr. Dang Minh Cat, Secretary of the Village 9 Party Cell, said residents expect the new leadership team to proactively understand local conditions, listen to public feedback while resolving issues transparently and promptly. According to Mr. Pham Van Khoi, Secretary of the Ea H'leo Commune Party Committee and Chairman of the commune People's Council, personnel quality determines the effectiveness of the administrative apparatus. Cadres must enjoy public trust while adapting to novel governance practices.

From an extension to a driving force for development

In Krong Nang commune, the contingent of part-time village and hamlet cadres is being progressively standardised. All part-time cadres currently have completed upper secondary education. All village coupled with hamlet Party cell secretaries hold university or college degrees, while nearly 90% of village and hamlet heads have attained the same educational level. This provides a solid foundation for the locality to implement data-driven governance while expanding digital support services for residents.

Mr. Pham Ba Thin, Secretary of the Krong Nang Commune Party Committee, said all village and hamlet cadres are now proficient in applying IT to their work. They have become an extension of the commune administration, enabling local authorities to maintain a close understanding of grassroots conditions while better safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of residents.

In Cu Blang village, Pong Drang commune, the village self-management board  regularly visits households to guide residents in using the Level 2 VNeID application, online public services as well as administrative procedures. Village head Y Tum Nie said that, alongside communication via the village's Zalo group, cadres continue to visit households facing particular difficulties, promptly receive public feedback and recommendations, while coordinating efforts to resolve disputes at the grassroots level.

Ms. Luong Thi Oanh, a Party member of the Binh Nguyen Village Party Cell in Ea Wy commune, guiding residents in connecting to and accessing the village's new Zalo group.

Today's requirements for village, hamlet and residential group cadres extend beyond conveying Party guidelines while handling administrative work. They are also expected to identify effective production models, encourage crop conversion, promote the science and technology application, protect the environment, support new-style rural development as well as foster community-based tourism.

According to the Department of Home Affairs, following the reorganisation, the province will continue reviewing and arranging personnel with priority placed on improving quality, ensuring those appointed possess the appropriate integrity, competence coupled with qualifications. Simultaneously, policies along with mechanisms will also be further refined so that cadres can perform their duties with confidence and meet the requirements of grassroots governance in the digital transformation era.

Translated by KHUONG THAO