Brian Jeffrey
Despite dedicating over ten years of service in challenging mountainous and disadvantaged areas, 55 young professionals associated with the Government’s “Project 500” have yet to receive their promised civil servant status. They are now at risk of being left out of the system entirely.
This issue was highlighted in an open letter sent to General Secretary To Lam from the 55 participants of the Project 500 initiative, which was set to recruit young intellectual volunteers for underdeveloped rural and mountainous regions during the 2013–2020 period. These individuals are currently working in various provinces, including Bac Giang, Hoa Binh, Thanh Hoa, Ha Tinh, and Quang Binh.
The letter emphasizes that even after a decade of contributions in some of the most underserved localities, many members are still on short-term contracts. With the ongoing restructuring of local administrations, these individuals face the threat of dismissal if they are not officially appointed before their contracts expire on December 30 this year.
Decision 1758 outlined that members of Project 500 who complete five years of service would be eligible for civil service positions at the commune level or higher.
Although the initiative was initially set to conclude in 2020, many provinces have failed to finalize job placements. Consequently, Resolution 136 has extended the timeline for the program to 2025. Additionally, Document 6732 instructed provincial People’s Committees to form and implement plans to officially recruit Project 500 members before the end of 2025.
Nevertheless, 55 individuals across 16 provinces remain unassigned and are facing uncertainty.
The authors of the letter are now urging the creation of effective policies and strategies to secure their positions within the workforce.
On April 24, the Central Office forwarded this correspondence to the Ministry of Home Affairs. In response, the ministry acknowledged the matter and confirmed that it is actively pursuing solutions to integrate these contracted members into the civil service.
The ministry has also sent formal inquiries to local authorities, requesting them to investigate and address the issues raised by Project 500 members. Local governments were tasked with proposing suitable hiring and placement plans.
Of the 55 members yet to be placed, Quang Binh Province has the largest group, totaling 11 members.
In response to the ministry’s directives, Quang Binh’s Department of Home Affairs sought clarification on two crucial points: First, whether Project 500 members could extend their contracts in newly merged communes after administrative changes until the December 31, 2025 deadline. Second, in light of an oversupply of public employees due to the merger and limited staffing quotas, whether compensation policies associated with Decree 178 (and its amendment, Decree 67) could be applied to these members.
To address these concerns, on May 16, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued another directive to the 16 provinces that are still in the process of placement and recruitment. The ministry requested detailed accounts of existing obstacles and explanations for the delays in implementation.
Provinces were also instructed to submit their recommendations and proposals concerning staffing solutions following the restructuring. A comprehensive report is expected by May 30.
As things stand, the 55 members from 16 provinces continue to await a definitive decision from local governments and the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding their future employment.
In an interview with VietNamNet, Ms. Dinh Thi To Quyen, a Project 500 member working at the People’s Committee of Quy Dat town in Minh Hoa District, Quang Binh, expressed a mix of relief and concern after learning that their letter had reached the relevant authorities.
“It was uplifting to find out that the Party and Government acknowledge our contributions and are looking for a resolution,” she said. “However, I remain anxious as my contract is nearing its end, and the recent administrative mergers have left many public employees surplus, complicating our chances for placement due to a shortage of available positions.”
“I hope the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Government will create a special policy to enable local governments to appoint the remaining Project 500 members through an exceptional recruitment process, prior to the implementation of the new two-tier local government structure.”
“I understand that the draft revised Law on Cadres and Civil Servants suggests that future civil servants will be assigned based on specific roles rather than lifetime tenure—evaluations will focus on performance. This makes it an opportune time to finalize placements for Project 500 members.”
“This would provide us with a fair chance to compete. Talented individuals will be retained, while those unable to meet the standards can be let go. This is the outcome I, along with my fellow Project 500 members, genuinely hope for.”
