The People's Committee Chairman of Can Tho City has announced a temporary halt on various construction projects and asset purchases as part of a broader strategy to streamline the local government structure. This decision, which aims to preserve public assets and prevent waste, comes amidst ongoing efforts to reorganize administrative units across the region.
During a recent meeting, the Chairman emphasized the need for agencies to urgently review their projects and asset management, specifically targeting construction works, repairs, and upgrades of government headquarters. This suspension is critical for agencies and units that are currently undergoing reorganization, with exceptions made only for essential sectors such as healthcare and education.
In line with directives from the Central Government, the Chairman has tasked various departments and district authorities to ensure that public assets are safeguarded against potential damage and loss during this transitional period. "We must avoid waste and ensure the integrity of state property," he stated, underscoring the importance of responsible asset management.
According to the Can Tho Department of Finance, the city has allocated over 7.242 trillion VND for public investment projects in 2025. This budget includes more than 7.238 trillion VND earmarked for 43 projects managed by 13 investors. Among these, 20 projects have already been completed, while 21 are ongoing, and 2 are newly initiated.
At the district level, over 3.080 trillion VND has been allocated, with more than 2.224 trillion VND distributed based on normative criteria for the districts. Additionally, over 856 trillion VND has been set aside to support 9 ongoing projects managed by these districts. This year alone, a total of 641 district-level projects have received funding, including 137 ongoing projects, 255 completed projects, and 249 projects that are currently in the preparatory phase.
In terms of the projects that have been temporarily halted, there are currently 47 works in the investment preparation or contractor selection phase, with a total allocated capital exceeding 142 trillion VND. The Department of Finance has proposed that for projects that have already been completed or handed over for use, there should be an expedited process to finalize settlements and conclude the projects.
Furthermore, plans are being developed to adjust the usage functions of these projects to align with the new administrative structure that will emerge from the ongoing reorganization. Ongoing projects will continue to be monitored, and works will be constructed up to a technical stopping point, ensuring safety and compliance with future local government organization plans.
In addition to these measures, the Can Tho City People's Committee has established a Working Group to oversee the management of public investment programs during this reorganization phase. This group, led by Mr. Duong Tan Hien, the Standing Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee, will direct and coordinate the overall planning and execution of the transfer of programs, tasks, and projects.
Meanwhile, in Nghệ An province, significant changes are also underway regarding the naming of new administrative units. At a meeting on April 29, 2025, the Provincial Party Committee and the Steering Committee for the arrangement of commune-level administrative units agreed to adopt a new naming convention for the newly formed communes, focusing on local landmarks, history, and culture rather than the previous method of using district names with serial numbers.
This decision comes as Nghệ An prepares to reduce its number of commune-level administrative units from 412 to 130, a plan that has garnered support from over 96% of voters. The Provincial Party Secretary, Nguyen Duc Trung, emphasized that while the names will change, the scale, population, and area of the communes will remain unchanged. He encouraged districts to select names that reflect local significance, particularly prioritizing names that retain historical context.
As part of the process, districts must submit their proposed naming plans to the Department of Home Affairs by May 5, 2025. Following this, from May 5 to May 8, public opinion will be gathered, and meetings of the People’s Councils will be conducted to finalize the naming process.
In addition to administrative changes, Nghệ An is also seeing developments in infrastructure projects. The Petrolimex joint venture is set to begin construction of the only rest stop on the North-South expressway section through Nghệ An in early May 2025, aiming to meet the growing needs of residents and drivers.
Moreover, Vincom Retail has announced plans to open three new commercial centers in 2025, including Vincom Mega Mall Ocean City in Hưng Yên, Vincom Mega Mall Vũ Yên in Hải Phòng, and Vincom Plaza Vinh in Nghệ An. This expansion reflects a significant shift in the rental real estate segment amid ongoing economic challenges.
Meanwhile, in Trà Vinh province, the Ministry of Home Affairs is reviewing a project aimed at reorganizing commune-level administrative units. This initiative is expected to reduce the number of administrative units from 104 to 41, achieving a reduction rate of 60.58%.
The project outlines the merging of several commune-level units into new wards and communes, such as the establishment of Trà Vinh ward from the merger of Ward 1, Ward 3, and Ward 9 of Trà Vinh city. Other proposed mergers include the formation of Long Đức ward and Nguyệt Hóa ward, which will also consolidate existing communes and wards.
While some communes will not undergo reorganization due to special circumstances, such as being island communes with isolated locations, the overall aim of this project is to enhance the efficiency of local governance.
As these provinces move forward with their respective administrative reforms, the emphasis remains on ensuring that public assets are preserved and that the changes reflect the needs and identities of local communities. The ongoing restructuring efforts across Can Tho, Nghệ An, and Trà Vinh highlight a significant shift in Vietnam's approach to local governance, aiming for a more efficient and responsive administrative framework.
