PROFESSIONAL NEWS

State budget revenue in 2025 exceeded the estimate, while key financial safety indicators remained under control. However, audit findings revealed shortcomings in revenue composition, budget allocation and expenditure. Land-related revenue accounted for a large share of total revenue, budget carryovers continued to increase, public investment disbursement remained slow, and advances stayed high. These issues underscore the need to tighten fiscal discipline and improve the efficiency of public resource utilization.

The audit of local budget management and the 2025 local budget finalization report of Quang Ninh Province (now Quang Ninh City) identified several shortcomings in budget estimation, allocation, expenditure management, monitoring of salary reform funds, and the implementation of public investment projects. The State Audit Office of Vietnam (SAV) recommended financial adjustments totaling more than VND 54.8 billion and called for corrective measures to address shortcomings in the management and use of public finances.

On the evening of October 19, in Hanoi, Member of the Party Central Committee and State Auditor General Nguyen Huu Nghia visited the National Convention Center to inspect the venue for the international conference entitled “Supreme Audit Institutions in a New Context: Vision, Institutions and Innovation.”

Following the directions of the State Auditor General, State Audit Office of Vietnam (SAV) Specialized Audit Department V is stepping up efforts to urgently complete its audit assignments, as little time remains in 2026 and the workload is substantial.

On the afternoon of October 20, the Department of International Cooperation of the State Audit Office of Vietnam (SAV) held a training session on protocol, logistics, and event arrangements for 22 liaison officers and members of the support team serving the international conference entitled “Supreme Audit Institutions in a New Context: Vision, Institutions and Innovation.” Nguyen Viet Hung, Deputy Director General of the Department of International Cooperation, chaired the training session.

On the afternoon of October 17, during the second session of the 16th National Assembly, the National Assembly heard the submission and appraisal report on the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Accounting and the Law on Independent Auditing.

In 2025, state budget revenue exceeded the estimate by 36.8%, the budget deficit stood at 3.1% of GDP, and public debt amounted to 33.35% of GDP. However, the audit of the 2025 state budget final accounts revealed persistent shortcomings in revenue management, expenditure administration, and public investment disbursement.

In comments on the draft amended Law on Metrology, State Auditor General Nguyen Huu Nghia proposed adding provisions allowing the State Audit Office of Vietnam (SAV) and competent state agencies to connect to, access, share, and use measurement data free of charge to perform their functions and duties in accordance with the law.

The Ministry of Finance has announced the fourth batch of Vietnamese Public Sector Accounting Standards, comprising two standards governing accounting for investments in associates and joint ventures, and joint arrangements, as part of its continued efforts to improve accounting regulations in the public sector.

During the first nine months of 2026, while efforts to streamline and reorganize the organizational structure continued to be implemented decisively, the State Audit Office of Vietnam (SAV) maintained unity, made concerted efforts and proactively carried out its political tasks in a coordinated and effective manner. As the fourth quarter begins—the final stretch marked by a substantial workload—Auditor General Nguyen Huu Nghia has directed all units to urgently complete the 2026 work plan in its entirety, ensuring progress and quality, with a particular focus on the Audit Plan. At the same time, units must proactively prepare for 2027, making digital transformation and technology application a breakthrough in improving audit effectiveness.

On the afternoon of October 15, at the State Audit Office of Vietnam (SAV) headquarters, Nguyen Huu Nghia, Member of the Party Central Committee and Auditor General of Vietnam, met with the Organizing Committee of the international conference “Supreme Audit Institutions in a New Context: Vision, Institutions and Innovation” to review preparations for the event.

On the morning of October 14, under the authorization of the State Auditor General, State Audit Office of Vietnam (SAV) Region III chaired a conference at its headquarters to announce the Audit Decision and launch the audit in Da Nang City and Quang Ngai Province, in coordination with the People’s Committee of Da Nang City and the People’s Committee of Quang Ngai Province.