Openness and transparency of state budget in Vietnam today

Abstract

Like other countries, Vietnam needs governance that is transparent and that enabled participation by citizens. To achieve those goals, the state needs to strengthen its institutions and change laws to ensure fiscal transparency whilst working out mechanisms that enable citizens to know about and participate in budgeting processes. In Vietnam, surveys on Open Budget Index (OBI) (2008), Provincial Open Budget Index (POBI) (2017) and the Ministry Open Budget Index (MOBI) (2018) have shown that assessment tools are needed to promote budget transparency as a way to create competition for funding and to more effectively manage public resources. Any agency using resources from the state budget must ensure transparency and accountability in expenditures. In addition, a mechanism that allows citizens to know about and participate in the budgeting process is essential to ensure the best use of government funds. This paper introduces some concepts and principles of budget transparency in relation to governance