PM Pham Minh Chinh appoints Mr. Tran Duc Thang as Acting Minister of MAE

On July 19, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh appointed Mr. Tran Duc Thang as Acting Minister of Agriculture and Environment.

Following Official Dispatch No. 16105-CV/VPTW dated July 17, 2025, from the Politburo regarding personnel matters, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 1559/QD-TTg on the same day to assign Mr. Tran Duc Thang - Member of the Party Central Committee and Standing Deputy Inspector General of the Government Inspectorate - to work at the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) and serve as Acting Minister.

Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha, Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra, and Government Inspector General Doan Hong Phong attended the ceremony announcing the PM's decision on personnel.

At the event, Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra announced the government's decision. PM Pham Minh Chinh then officially handed over the decision appointing Mr. Tran Duc Thang as Acting Minister of Agriculture and Environment.

The Prime Minister praised Tran Duc Thang as a well-qualified and capable official who has received systematic training and held various positions across different sectors and localities. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that Mr. Thang would excel in his new role.

He emphasized that the country is currently facing significant challenges in agriculture, rural development, and the management of natural resources and minerals.

“The key question is: how can we develop agriculture, improve farmers’ livelihoods, and build new-style rural areas, while also protecting the environment and preserving natural resources? This is truly a major issue for us,” PM Chinh stated.

The tasks ahead in 2025 are particularly demanding, as it marks the final year of the 13th National Party Congress term. Fulfilling the goals set by the Party and State for the agriculture and environment sectors is essential. Additionally, we must be prepared to respond to sudden and unexpected challenges such as natural disasters and storms.

Commending MAE's efforts since the beginning of the year in agricultural production and rural development and supporting farmers’ livelihoods, the PM urged the Ministry to continue promoting decentralization and delegation of authority, alongside allocating appropriate resources. He also called for strengthening the capacity of local officials. In this process, the central government should play the role of coordinator, policymaker, and regulator, ensuring that development plans and strategies meet national needs and serve the people effectively.

The head of the Government emphasized that strong legal tools from the central must govern professional work to the local levels. Administrative procedures related to land use, natural resources, and environment licensing should be delegated to provincial authorities, while monitoring and evaluation mechanisms must be designed to assess development progress. Based on practical realities, the legal framework, policies, and theoretical foundations of the sector should continue to be improved.

The Vietnamese PM instructed the MAE to focus on the sector’s core tasks, with priority given to completing the land database. This will serve as a foundation for regional planning of cultivation areas, raw material zones for agricultural products, and enhancing market connectivity.

By year's end, the PM asked the Ministry to resolve land issues, improve the efficiency of resource and rare earth management to support key national projects such as expressways and airports, and make better use of land resources. He also called for creating a transparent, streamlined legal corridor to support sustainable development.

In his remarks upon assuming office, Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang affirmed his commitment to fulfilling the responsibilities entrusted to him. In the immediate term, he will focus on thoroughly preparing for and successfully organizing the 1st Party Congress of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment for the 2025–2030 term. At the same time, he will implement solutions to promote production and ensure the fulfillment of targets and tasks assigned by the Government and the Prime Minister for 2025.

He emphasized a spirit of continuous learning, rapid adaptation to his new role, and prompt, decisive action to avoid any disruption or delays. He also stressed the importance of building upon and further advancing the valuable achievements and experiences of the Ministry’s leadership through past generations.

In the context of new challenges and requirements, the Acting Minister committed to fully implementing the directives of the Party leadership, the State, the National Assembly, and the Government concerning the Ministry and the entire Agriculture and Environment sector.

Accordingly, the Ministry will continue to innovate and improve legal frameworks, promote administrative reform and digital transformation, strengthen discipline and administrative order, and emphasize leadership accountability.

On behalf of the Ministry’s leadership, Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang expressed gratitude and welcomed the Prime Minister's guidance and directions.

He believes that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will continue to achieve significant and practical accomplishments, along with the united efforts and solidarity of all officials, civil servants, and employees, and the Ministry’s rich traditions. These will help celebrate the 14th National Party Congress and contribute substantially to the country’s achievements in the new era.

Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang was born in 1973 in Vinh Phuc (now Phu Tho province). He holds a PhD in Economics and is a member of the 13th Central Committee of the Communist Party. He previously served as Deputy Director and then General Director of the Public Asset Management Department under the Ministry of Finance. In October 2018, he was elected as a member of the Central Inspection Commission and became its Deputy Chairman in 2020. In October 2022, the Politburo transferred and appointed him as Secretary of the Hai Duong Provincial Party Committee for the 2020 - 2025 term. Subsequently, he was assigned by the Prime Minister to serve as the Standing Deputy Inspector General of the Government starting July 1, amid the merger of Hai Duong and Hai Phong to form the new Hai Phong city.

Diep Anh