Innovating public sector human resource management in Vietnam: Current situation and policy recommendations towards modern governance

Abstract

This paper investigates the current state of public sector human resource management (HRM) in Vietnam and proposes solutions for reform in the context of digital transformation and the increasing demand for modern governance. The research methodology is based on a comprehensive analysis of both domestic and international literature, adopting a comparative approach examining public HRM practices in developed countries and their applicability to the Vietnamese context. The findings reveal that while Vietnam has made notable reforms in public HRM, several challenges persist. These include an inconsistent legal framework, limited digital competencies among civil servants, inadequate training and human resource development, and significant technological and resource constraints. Based on these insights, the paper proposes four key solutions in main areas: (1) Policy and institutional reform; (2) Organizational and managerial innovation; (3) Technology and digitalization; and (4) Human resource development.