On April 24, 2025, the People's Committee of Can Tho City announced a comprehensive plan to reassign personnel from district-level positions to commune-level roles following a restructuring of administrative units. This significant move will see a total of 633 civil servants and 12,678 public employees transitioning to commune-level duties, aiming to streamline operations and improve local governance.
Currently, Can Tho City has 2,762 personnel at the commune level, which includes 862 cadres, 794 civil servants, and 1,106 non-specialized staff. According to the restructuring guidelines, the city plans to reduce its workforce by 111 cadres, 50 civil servants, and 151 non-specialized workers at the commune level. Additionally, at the district level, 9 cadres, 81 civil servants, and 461 public employees will also be streamlined.
This restructuring is part of a broader initiative that saw the number of commune-level administrative units in Can Tho reduced from 80 to 32, comprising 16 communes and 16 wards. The political and administrative centers of these newly arranged units will now be housed in existing government buildings, which has resulted in a surplus of 57 out of 80 headquarters, as only 21 will continue to be utilized.
In a related development, a draft proposal for the merger of the provinces of Binh Phuoc and Dong Nai has been circulated for public feedback. This plan aims to consolidate administrative functions and streamline governance across the two regions. The proposal stipulates that the maximum number of leaders and managers in the newly formed Dong Nai province will not exceed the combined total from Binh Phuoc and Dong Nai prior to the merger.
The draft also outlines how current leaders will be reassigned based on their qualifications and the needs of the new administrative structure. For those who currently hold leadership positions but will not continue in their roles, the plan provides options for reassignment to adjacent positions or equivalent roles in other organizations, ensuring that their expertise is utilized effectively.
Furthermore, the Dong Nai provincial government is committed to addressing potential job redundancies resulting from this merger. The plan includes provisions for connecting redundant civil servants and public employees with new job opportunities. This will involve collaboration with state-owned enterprises to prioritize hiring qualified personnel who may be displaced by the administrative changes.
In addition, the provincial government aims to facilitate connections with private companies to assist those who are not retained within the political system in finding suitable employment. This multifaceted approach reflects a commitment to maintaining workforce stability and supporting those affected by the restructuring.
As the restructuring and merger processes unfold, local officials emphasize the importance of community input and transparency. The People's Committee of Can Tho City has urged residents to provide feedback on the proposed changes, highlighting that public engagement is crucial for ensuring that the administrative adjustments meet the needs of the community.
This initiative comes at a time when many regions in Vietnam are exploring ways to enhance administrative efficiency and improve public service delivery. By consolidating resources and streamlining operations, local governments hope to create a more responsive and effective governance model.
As Can Tho City moves forward with its personnel reassignments and the provinces of Binh Phuoc and Dong Nai consider their merger, it remains to be seen how these changes will impact local governance and service delivery. However, the commitment to public engagement and workforce support suggests that the authorities are taking a proactive approach to manage the transition smoothly.
Overall, these significant administrative changes reflect a broader trend in Vietnam towards optimizing local governance structures. The outcome of these efforts will likely be closely monitored by other regions considering similar reforms. As the situation develops, stakeholders from various sectors will be keen to observe how these changes affect the efficacy of public administration and the quality of services delivered to citizens.
