The article by Mr. Dinh Hong Ky was published in the “Viewpoints” section of VnExpress on April 24, 2025.
A few years ago, when I visited the family of a Vietnamese expatriate friend in Montreal, Canada, they proudly told me that their eldest daughter had left Deloitte — one of the global Big Four accounting firms — to pass the civil service exam and become a government official.
Unlike in Vietnam, civil servants there can receive salaries and benefits that are even higher than those in private corporations; moreover, they are highly respected by society and the public. However, when violating ethics and professional principles, the price they pay is also very severe, similar to civil servants in Japan or Germany.
For example, in Japan, a 58-year-old bus driver in Kyoto with 29 years of seniority was recently found to have pocketed 1,000 yen (equivalent to about 182,000 VND) of passenger fares. This seemingly minor act led to his dismissal and loss of his entire pension of 84,000 USD (about 2.2 billion VND).
The Supreme Court of Japan affirmed that this punishment was appropriate because even small acts of embezzlement damage public trust and violate professional ethics. The incident shocked many not only because the amount of money was small compared to the consequences but also because it reflects Japan’s strict and consistent civil service governance philosophy: civil servants, even at low ranks, must bear ethical and legal responsibilities fully. In a society that values discipline and integrity, there is no tolerance for leniency — even one yen of public money misappropriated is unacceptable.
Germany’s legal system also demonstrates a zero-tolerance stance toward misconduct by civil servants, even after retirement. The Federal Civil Service Disciplinary Law stipulates that civil servants who have retired but are found to have committed serious violations while in office can have their pensions reduced or entirely revoked. This is a special sanction, not only a legal punishment but also affecting the material interests and honor of former officials. This mechanism reflects a consistent view on public responsibility: civil servants represent the state in serving the people, so forgiveness should not be granted to those who exploit their positions for personal gain. In serious cases, German courts have revoked all pension rights and titles held by the offenders, effectively severing ties with those who lost their status as public servants.
In Poland, the anti-corruption spirit is also strongly expressed through legislation. In a decisive campaign during 2018-2019, the government not only prosecuted corrupt officials but also cut off the entire pension of those found guilty of legal or ethical violations in public office. Administrative officers who colluded with wrongdoing while serving saw their pensions reduced to the minimum, regardless of their years of service or high rank.
This pension-cutting measure sparked debate but ultimately gained broad public support in Poland. The people viewed it as a symbol of justice — ending cover-ups and half-hearted enforcement. By stripping retirement privileges from those who abused power, the Polish government sent a clear message: the past does not shield unethical acts. Integrity must be protected even when the offender no longer holds office.
From these countries, we can draw a common point: they have all built a public service culture centered on integrity. Responsibility does not end when civil servants leave their positions. Addressing violations serves not only to punish individuals but also to maintain trust in institutions and public ethics.
In recent years, Vietnam has made clear progress in handling officials after retirement. Many officials have been stripped of their titles, prosecuted, tried, and sentenced, even years after retirement. However, a noticeable limitation is that current laws lack mechanisms to adjust retirement benefits for those with serious violations. Stripping titles is mainly symbolic, while material benefits — such as pensions — remain almost fully intact. This creates a paradox: some individuals cause significant damage to the budget and institutional reputation but continue to receive their pensions and benefits regularly. Meanwhile, criminal proceedings are prolonged, complex, and costly.
Revising the law to allow pension reductions for seriously violating civil servants is necessary, of course accompanied by strict procedures to ensure humanity and constitutionality. A feasible approach is to handle such cases through court decisions based on the severity of the violation, the consequences caused, and the nature of any repeated offenses. This form should clearly define the scope and timing of the violation during their term in office.
Additionally, mechanisms for recovering assets obtained from wrongful acts, even after retirement, should be studied and supplemented. This is not new globally and aligns well with the principle of rule of law.
A clean public service requires not only strict handling of those currently in office but also ensuring that retirees do not become a “safe zone” beyond the law. This will gain public support as taxpayers’ money will be used more effectively. The current policy of streamlining the public apparatus offers an opportunity for the State to save budget costs while increasing income for remaining civil servants. With better remuneration, the public system will have stronger grounds to demand higher integrity, responsibility, and professional discipline.
Examples from Japan, Germany, Poland, and Canada show that integrity cannot be only an ethical expectation but must be protected by strong rights and sanctions. Vietnam has no shortage of political determination in anti-corruption efforts, but to make real effective actions, a comprehensive, transparent legal framework with deterrence power for all civil servants — whether active or retired, high-ranking or low-ranking — is required.
The trust of the people in the public administration is safeguarded by strict and fair regulations — this is the solid foundation for an honest and sustainably developing state.
