Policy stability, avoiding uncertainty 

In light of the ongoing shortages of medicines, medical supplies, and difficulties in paying for health insurance, the Ministry of Health has proposed amendments to various regulations. 

However, a series of inconsistent moves and confusion in policy implementation, not confined to a single sector but spanning various fields in recent times, highlights the challenges in forecasting, policy planning, and execution within ministries and agencies. This continues to be a matter of concern. 

Recently, the issue of workers increasingly withdrawing from the social insurance scheme has resurfaced, prompting the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs to propose a new plan, including a solution to allow workers to withdraw only 50% of their entitled amount at once. 

Although this is merely a proposal, and one that exists alongside the option to maintain the existing policy, the anxiety among a significant portion of workers, particularly factory workers facing the economic downturn, was immediate and palpable. 

However, this issue is not confined to the labor-social sector alone. Previously, the retail petroleum market, a sector primarily regulated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, has also been in disarray. 

Looking at the financial market, it is hard to say that the State Bank has fully fulfilled its responsibility in overseeing the corporate bond market. 

In the transport sector, violations leading to investigations and prosecutions of vehicle registration centers, along with disruptions in the nationwide vehicle inspection system, have raised questions about the Ministry of Transport’s capacity to organize, regulate, and supervise this market. 

If we were to list the instances of disarray stemming from policy issues, unreasonable regulations, or inadequate oversight during the implementation phase, they would be numerous. 

The consequences of limited policy governance are glaring, with citizens and businesses bearing direct losses: from a shortage of medicines, business interruptions due to fuel shortages, expired vehicle registrations, to wasting time and facing delays due to inconsistent administrative procedures and documentation. 

In the long term, the more serious issue is the erosion of trust from both domestic and international stakeholders in the government’s governance and management capacity. Policy predictability forms the foundation of trust, allowing investors to confidently "invest" – entrusting their assets and efforts to a nation. 

The potential of the country, along with the promises and credibility of its government leaders, can easily be undermined by the "mixed signals" from public authorities, where actions contradict words. 

Capacity—which includes foresight, the rationality of policy design, the ability to predict, and the enforcement of policies by ministries—is not an issue that can be easily or quickly improved. However, in the short term, there are solutions that can be implemented immediately. 

First, effective forecasting and governance require accurate and reliable data. Policymakers must harness and interpret data as a foundation for decision-making and for swift evaluations and adjustments. Digital technology, particularly digital data, offers a golden opportunity for providing high-quality data to inform policies. 

Second, policymakers must emphasize effective communication strategies, particularly by leveraging the advantages of social media. 

Social media, alongside traditional journalism, serves as a powerful tool for public authorities—not only for gathering feedback from citizens and businesses but also for disseminating policy updates promptly to reassure the public and sustain trust. 

Trust, while intangible, remains the most valuable asset that governments hold with their citizens. Policy-making and governance designed to foster trust must remain a top priority during these turbulent times. 

Nguyen Quang Dong - Institute for Policy Studies and Media Development.

According to TuoiTre Online