VIETNAMESE LOCAL CIVIL SERVANTS' PUBLIC SERVICE ETHICS AND CULTURE

Abstract

Vietnamese local civil servants, which are mainly commune-level civil ones, are identified with the roles and responsibilities of implementing the nation's policies while providing services to a population diversity in ethnicity, culture, and religion. The local population's characteristics are the determining factors, creating the commune-level civil servants' civil service culture, ethics and affecting the outcomes of their work performance. This paper focuses on the analysis of the effects of civil service culture and ethics on the performance outcomes of commune-level civil servants. After developing a theoretical framework for the study, the author polled 360 respondents who had at least three transactions with their local commune government in the last five years. The survey's goal is to gather public opinions on civil service culture and ethics, and work performance results of commune-level civil servants in the locality. Vietnam's five provinces under study are Nam Đinh and Thai Binh (in the North), Quang Tri (in the Central), and Đong Nai, Tay Ninh (in the South). According to research findings, people undervalue the civil service culture of commune-level civil servants, which has an impact on their ability to perform tasks. Accordingly, the author suggests that local features should be taken into account in the field of governance in order to improve the quality of Vietnam's commune-level civil servants.