Local autonomy in the Federal Republic of Germany and the reference values for Vietnam

Abstract

Establishing a national governance system oriented towards modernity, efficiency, and effectiveness has been seen as an es sential requirement for all countries, including Vietnam, in order to achieve their development objectives. Lessons from the Federal Republic of Germany-a country renowned for having one of the world’s most effective public administrations-including local au tonomy governance, such as the South German model, the North German model, the Rhine River regional mayor model, and the administrative council model, could serve as valuable sources of knowledge and reference for Vietnam. Some suggestions for Viet nam including: Continued reform of perceptions of role and position of local governments; Enhancement of autonomy within ad ministrative apparatuses and the clear definition of responsibilities for heads of grassroots-level units; Assurance of adequate resources for implementation; Cultivation of an administrative culture aligned with the role of local government agencies; and Improvement of grassroots-level officials’ capacity.