- The establishment of the Customs Sub-Department of Region VI based on the merger of the Customs Department of Lang Son Province and the Customs Department of Cao Bang Province has created a new look in customs management. Despite facing significant challenges in terms of large management area, large workload and changes in organizational structure, immediately after the reorganization of the apparatus, officers and civil servants of the Customs Sub-Department of Region VI have demonstrated a proactive spirit, quick adaptation, ensuring smooth and effective operations.

After the TCBM arrangement, the Customs Branch of Region VI has 594 officers and employees working in 7 departments and 10 border gates in Lang Son and Cao Bang provinces. With this number, the Customs Branch of Region VI is one of the 4 units with the largest number of officers and employees out of 20 Customs Branches nationwide.

Team leader is proactive and flexible in management

According to Decision No. 10/QD-CHQ dated March 5, 2025 of the Customs Department, the Regional Customs Branch VI officially came into operation, managing the area of ​​Lang Son and Cao Bang provinces with a fairly large geographical distance (the geographical distance between the two cities of the two provinces is about 130 km; the geographical distance between the headquarters of the Regional Customs Branch VI (in Lang Son city) to Ly Van Border Gate Customs, Cao Bang province is over 180 km). In particular, the abolition of the team/group level from March 15, 2025 has placed higher requirements on the leaders of the border gate customs teams in terms of assignment, inspection and supervision.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Vuong, Deputy Head of the Customs Branch of Region VI shared: In the early days after the merger, we could not avoid certain difficulties. The expanded management area meant increased responsibilities and workload. However, with the consensus and determination of all officers and employees, we quickly stabilized the situation and built effective coordination regulations between units. The Branch reviewed and standardized the list of leaders at all levels, and listened to the thoughts and aspirations of officers and employees to have the most suitable work arrangement plan, ensuring the new apparatus operates stably and maximizes the capacity of each individual.

After the TCBM arrangement, the elimination of the team/group level has directly affected the work of the leaders of the border customs teams. Mr. Doan Tuan Anh, Deputy Head of Chi Ma Border Customs - one of the key border gates of Lang Son said: After the TCBM arrangement, our workload has increased significantly, while the staff has changed in terms of quantity and working position, currently the unit has over 60 officers and civil servants working. To perform well the assigned tasks, we have proactively developed a detailed work plan, clearly assigning tasks to each officer and civil servant.

According to Mr. Doan Tuan Anh, the application of information technology in management also helps the department monitor and coordinate work effectively. The department also regularly exchanges and coordinates to quickly resolve arising issues. All officers and employees are aware of the changes and are more proactive in their work, thereby meeting the requirements of assigned tasks immediately after TCBM was arranged and put into operation under the new model. On average, each day, the unit receives and handles 80 customs declarations with over 100 means of import and export of goods, but with a high sense of responsibility in performing the duties of officers and employees, the unit does not allow congestion of means of import and export of goods and vehicles.

Officials and civil servants strive to fulfill their duties

The change in organizational structure also meant that many civil servants had to change their positions. However, with a high sense of responsibility and cooperation, they quickly adapted to the new working environment.

Mr. Truong Hong Thang - a civil servant formerly of the Personnel Organization - Inspection Department, Cao Bang Provincial Customs Department (old), currently working at the Personnel Organization Department, Region VI Customs Branch shared: After merging 2 agencies into 1, I was transferred from the old Cao Bang Provincial Customs Department to Region VI Customs Branch. At first, I was a bit worried and confused when moving to a new workplace. However, thanks to the favorable conditions and enthusiastic guidance of the unit leaders and colleagues, I quickly grasped the job.

Despite the large number of civil servants, thanks to the good work of reviewing job positions, areas of operation, professional qualifications and skills, and at the same time developing plans to arrange and assign work suitable to the capacity, strengths and aspirations of each civil servant, 100% of the civil servants of the Department have made efforts to overcome difficulties to adapt quickly and perform well the assigned tasks. The results of the evaluation and classification of civil servants in March 2025 of the Department show that over 90% of civil servants have completed their tasks well or better; no civil servants have failed to complete their tasks or have been disciplined.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh Hang, Head of the Personnel Organization Department, Customs Branch VI said: Not only advising the Branch's leaders to pay close attention to the work of organizing staff, implementing Decree No. 178/2024/ND-CP "on policies and regimes for civil servants, public employees, workers and armed forces to reorganize the apparatus of the political system", the department has advised the Branch's leaders to seriously implement, in accordance with regulations, ensuring the rights of civil servants who are eligible for early retirement or resignation. At the same time, the department advises on arranging appropriate personnel to ensure the stability of the organization, contributing to the successful completion of the assigned tasks of the Branch.

With the efforts and quick adaptation of the staff, the Customs Branch of Region VI has gradually stabilized and operated effectively. Although there are still challenges ahead, with the spirit of solidarity, determination and close direction of leaders at all levels, we believe that the Customs Branch of Region VI will continue to develop, making important contributions to the state management of customs, facilitating import and export activities and economic development of the Lang Son - Cao Bang border area.