Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang. (Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac)

When the data is updated through June 30, the GDP growth rate for the first half may be 0.2-0.3% higher than estimated, said Mr. Son.

The agriculture, forestry and fishery sector grew 3.8%, industry and construction 8.2%, and services 7.8%. Many indicators and indices on production, business, state budget, and more are improving month by month and quarter by quarter. Vietnam has continued to maintain macroeconomic stability, control inflation, and ensure major balances, he said.

Providing information on administrative procedures three days after launching the two-tier local government, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Nguyen Thi Ha said the Prime Minister has issued 28 decrees on decentralization, delegation of powers, and division of authority between the central and local government, and between provincial and communal-level local governments.

Ministries have issued 58 circulars that provide a legal basis for implementing the two-tier local government model. The decrees fully stipulate the new administrative procedures, and clarify authority, dossier components, time, costs, and administrative forms, Deputy Minister Ha said.

“After decentralization and determination and delegation of authority, there are are more than 1,200 administrative procedures at the provincial level and over 460 administrative procedures at the communal level. 74 administrative procedures have been eliminated. All current administrative procedures serving people and businesses have been clearly specified and were put into operation on July 1 this year," Ms. Ha said.