Transparency (Open Budget Index) 18/100
The Government of Vietnam provides the public with scant budget information.
Public Participation 42/100
The Government of Vietnam provides the public with limited opportunities to engage in the budget process.
Budget Oversight
By legislature 61/100
Budget oversight by the legislature in Vietnam is adequate.
By auditor 75/100
Budget oversight by the supreme audit institution in Vietnam is adequate.
Recommendations
Improving Transparency
Vietnam should prioritize the following actions to improve budget transparency:
- Publish an Executive’s Budget Proposal when the draft budget is presented to the National Assembly.
- Publish in a timely manner an Audit Report, ideally within six months and no later than 18 months after the end of the budget year.
- Produce and publish a Mid-Year Review. The government may consider enhancing the comprehensiveness of the six-month budget implementation report such that it qualifies as a Mid-Year Review.
Improving Participation
Vietnam should prioritize the following actions to improve budget participation:
- Hold legislative hearings on the budgets of specific ministries, departments, and agencies at which testimony from the public is heard.
- Hold legislative hearings on the state of the economy that are attended by the executive and open to the public.
- Establish formal mechanisms for the public to participate in audit investigations.
Improving Oversight
Vietnam should prioritize the following actions to strengthen budget oversight:
- Establish a specialized budget research office for the legislature.
- In both law and practice, ensure the legislature is consulted prior to the spending of contingency funds that were not identified in the Enacted Budget.