The Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh has a firm grip over the on-going reforms inside the ministry after a series of wrongful appointments by former Minister Vu Huy Hoang.

At the conclusion of his term Vu Huy Hoang left behind many promotions that are claimed to have "followed all procedures" but reeked of corruption. And corruption breeds incompetent and greedy officials like Trinh Xuan Thanh or Vu Dinh Huy.

As a result, a series of wrongful policies that hinder economic development as well as infringing on the legitimate rights of businesses were issued. Meanwhile, industrial pollution from factories and hydropower plants are destroying the environment and over VND30trn (USD1.3m) have been poured into stagnant or abandoned projects.

The ministry, the party and the government's credibility have been badly damaged. The public are seriously upset, and the National Assembly has issued a document to criticise Vu Huy Hoang immediately.

According to Communist Party of Vietnam General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, this is only the first punishment for the promotion of Trinh Xuan Thanh. "If criminal offences are discovered then he’ll have to make up for it in the form of compensation or be imprisoned," he said.

Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh now shoulders the responsibility to restore discipline and order at the ministry, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc had said.

Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh

Right after taking the office, he replaced the heads of the office, planning and human resources departments. After the move received supports and he continued to hold a meeting to reform the ministry and many officials may be transferred.

Former Chairman of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Inspection Vu Quoc Hung said, "It's good news that Anh is perfecting and simplifying the administrative system. I welcome this move."

In October, Anh annulled Circular 37 about the inspection of formaldehyde content in textile and garment products. The circular received strong opposition as firms had to pay an inspection fee of VND1.5-2.5m (USD68-90) per sample no matter if they imported a metre of garments or one button and the formaldehyde content check usually took three to seven days. The inspection fee for one firm could run into hundreds of billions of VND a year.

15 regulations that are deemed cumbersome and only cause difficulties for businesses will be eliminated and 108 regulations simplified. Legal documents and administrative procedures in 17 business fields are being revised.

A reform storm is sweeping through the ministry, Anh must be firm in the face all pressure. It's also the only way to elevate the industry and trade sector, one of the most important sectors for Vietnam's development.