Central bank, Da Nang top 2015 administrative reform list Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (C) chairs a teleconference on public administration reform on August 17. Photo credit: Quang Hieu/Nguoi Lao Dong The State Bank of Vietnam beat the Ministry of Transport to top the 2015 Public Administration Reform Index while Da Nang successfully retained its top spot among provinces and cities for a fifth straight year. The central bank scored 89.42 points and the transport ministry was followed by the Ministries of Home Affairs and Planning and Investment. Among central agencies, the Ministry of Information and Communications was at the bottom behind the Ministries of Industry and Trade and Science and Technology. The figures were released at a teleconference on administrative reform Wednesday. Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Nguyen Trong Thua said the average score of central agencies is 85.3, a significant increase from the 76.99 they got in 2014. “The distance between the top and bottom positions has been narrowed, and all agencies scored higher than in 2014. At the province-city level, Da Nang scored 93.31 points, nearly one point higher than in the previous year. Hai Phong was second, followed by Dong Nai, Thua Thien Hue, Can Tho, and Quang Ninh, all with more than 90 points. Notably, Hanoi’s 3rd place in 2014 was claimed by Thua Thien Hue. Dien Bien ranked at the bottom behind Kon Tum. Fifty eight cities and provinces improved their tally from 2014, Gia Lai, Vinh Long, Ha Nam, and Bac Kan by more than 10 points each. Five scored lower than in 2014 -- Hanoi, Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Vinh Phuc, Dak Lak, and Hung Yen. By Chi Hieu, Thanh Nien News