Trần Lưu Quang, the Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, has called for a comprehensive review of staff assignments, insisting that any personnel deemed unsuitable should be replaced. During a meeting on September 22, he stated, "If we find that the current arrangements are not effective, we can make changes as soon as next week, even reverting some staff to their previous positions if necessary." This directive comes as the city is implementing a new two-tier government model, which has led to confusion in some departments regarding personnel assignments and task management.

Quang highlighted that the restructuring of staff is not only about improving the organizational framework but also ensuring that the right people are in the right positions, equipped with the necessary skills and responsibilities to meet the city's development goals. Ho Chi Minh City aims for a growth rate exceeding 10% this year, with a budget revenue target of one trillion VND and a commitment to fully disburse public investment funds.

He noted that as the organizational structure is being reorganized, many departments and localities are still struggling with personnel assignments and task distribution. Some staff members have expressed concerns about their roles, especially as the workload and management demands continue to grow. Quang asserted that there should be no mindset that an individual who previously worked in one area cannot transition to another. He shared his own experience, having studied mechanical engineering but now serving as the Secretary of the City Party Committee, emphasizing the need for continuous learning and adaptation.

Quang urged departments and localities to self-organize and adjust personnel in accordance with job requirements. He stressed that the restructuring process is crucial and will be ongoing, not a one-time effort. Decisions regarding personnel must be reasonable, transparent, and free from personal interests. Evaluations of staff will be linked to job positions, key performance indicators, and feedback from citizens and businesses to assess effectiveness. This process is tied to the accountability of leadership.

He stated that higher-level officials must be aware of their subordinates' capabilities and trust them with authority. Conversely, if a leader fails to fulfill their duties, they must be held accountable. "As the Secretary, if I do not fulfill my responsibilities, I must accept resignation," he remarked, highlighting that the higher the position, the greater the responsibility.

Quang also encouraged a shift in mindset among staff, urging them to be bolder and more proactive. He pointed out that in various instances, citizens are suffering because issues that the government should be addressing promptly are not being resolved. Therefore, local leaders, being closest to the people, must ensure that their staff is motivated to act.

In addition to current personnel adjustments, Quang emphasized the need for Ho Chi Minh City to prepare a long-term human resource strategy. The city is collaborating on a project to recruit talent from major universities and experts, aiming to build a workforce that can contribute to future development.

Alongside personnel matters, the Secretary outlined three major goals for the city this year: achieving over 10% growth, generating one trillion VND in budget revenue, and fully disbursing the public investment plan. He acknowledged that these targets present significant challenges but also considerable opportunities, particularly in the fourth quarter, which typically sees a surge in growth.

Ho Chi Minh City is poised to benefit from new mechanisms that are beginning to take effect, including the Urban Development Law, which is expected to be implemented on October 1, along with resolutions approved by the city’s People’s Council. Quang stated that many investors are waiting for these new regulations to launch projects, while various departments and localities are also awaiting new guidelines to address long-standing issues.

"The question is not whether we will achieve these goals, but how we will accomplish them," Quang asserted. He emphasized the need for a thorough review of revenue sources while ensuring that businesses can operate profitably to contribute to tax revenues. The city must create a conducive environment for businesses to thrive, thereby establishing a sustainable revenue base.

Regarding land revenue, he advised against conducting auctions at any cost and instead recommended a comprehensive market assessment. If the market is sluggish, it may be prudent to hold off on auctions, treating them as a reserve for the city.

During the discussions, Trương Minh Huy Vũ, Deputy Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and Director of the City Development Research Institute, reported that the city's growth in the third quarter and the first nine months of the year is the highest in a decade, with foreign direct investment, logistics, and services being bright spots. However, to achieve double-digit growth by 2026, the fourth quarter must see growth exceeding 13.5%. The city needs to mobilize three key resources: public investment, private investment, and foreign direct investment, while ensuring that capital flows into production and business.

Vũ noted that, in addition to investment resources, the city's economy is expected to receive a boost in the last three months of the year from a series of events, festivals, and preparations for the upcoming Tet holiday, stimulating consumption, shopping, tourism, and services. In the first nine months, Ho Chi Minh City collected 670.599 trillion VND in budget revenue, achieving 83.5% of the central government’s estimate; public investment disbursement reached approximately 103.319 trillion VND, or 70% of the plan. The city has resolved issues for 233 out of 921 stalled projects, yet the pressure to meet the ambitious targets for double-digit growth and budget revenue exceeding one trillion VND in the final quarter remains substantial.