The government of Ha Tinh province has recently issued a draft plan regarding the arrangement of administrative units at the commune level, inviting public feedback on the proposed changes. The draft emphasizes that naming conventions for the newly arranged communes must be carefully considered, taking into account traditional, historical, and cultural factors. The aim is to use one of the existing names from the previous administrative units to minimize disruption for local residents and businesses.
According to the draft, Huong Khe district plans to merge three communes: Phuc Dong, Hoa Hai, and Huong Binh, renaming the new entity as Huong Binh commune. However, many residents have expressed concerns, urging that the naming process should not be rushed and that a thorough study is necessary to ensure the new name aligns with established criteria.
Phuc Dong commune, which has been in existence since 1946, boasts a rich historical and cultural legacy, particularly as it was designated a Heroic Armed Forces Unit in 2002. It is also the birthplace of Phan Chau My, one of four heroes from Huong Khe district. In 2023, Phuc Dong commenced the renovation of the mausoleum and temple dedicated to Duc Dai Vuong Duong Do, which is expected to become a significant cultural and spiritual site for the district.
Geographically, Phuc Dong holds a more favorable location than its counterparts, situated in the central area with major roads such as the Ho Chi Minh road and National Highway 15A passing through. The Phuc Dong intersection, which connects these two roads, is well-known across the country. Economically, Phuc Dong also outperforms both Huong Binh and Hoa Hai communes, featuring a complete range of educational institutions from primary to high school levels, a larger population, and essential services like banks and post offices.
Given these advantages, many locals argue that renaming the newly merged commune as Huong Binh instead of retaining the name Phuc Dong is hasty and inadequate. They stress the importance of preserving the historical significance of Phuc Dong in the new naming process.
In a related development, Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra has submitted a proposal to the government outlining the arrangement of provincial-level administrative units for 2025. This proposal includes plans for 52 provincial-level units, which consist of four cities—Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Can Tho—and 48 provinces. Notably, 11 provincial-level units will not undergo any changes, including ten that meet the required standards and one, Cao Bang, which has special circumstances preventing its arrangement.
The draft project aims to streamline administrative structures across the country, establishing a total of 34 provincial-level units post-arrangement. This will include six centrally-run cities and 28 provinces, ensuring that all newly formed units meet the necessary standards outlined in the government's regulations.
Feedback from public consultations has shown overwhelming support for the proposed arrangements, with an average approval rate of 96.19% across the nation. All 23 provincial People's Councils have voted in favor of the local arrangements.
Following the restructuring, each provincial People's Council will form three committees: the Legal Committee, the Economic-Budget Committee, and the Cultural-Social Committee. In provinces with significant ethnic minority populations, an additional Ethnic Minorities Committee may be established. For centrally-run cities, four committees will be created, including a dedicated Urban Committee.
As part of the reorganization, departments and agencies with similar functions will be merged to enhance efficiency. However, specialized agencies under the provincial People's Committees will maintain their existing structures and functions, albeit with some adjustments to staffing.
After the arrangement, provincial-level People's Committees will oversee a maximum of 14 departments, with Ho Chi Minh City allowed up to 15. The Ministry of Home Affairs has indicated that the total staffing assigned to the 52 provinces and cities undergoing reorganization will be 937,935 individuals, including various categories of public servants.
Additionally, the restructuring process is expected to result in a surplus of 4,226 public headquarters across the provinces, with a total of 38,182 public offices identified for potential use. The government plans to manage these headquarters in accordance with existing regulations concerning public assets and finances.
In summary, the proposed administrative changes at both the commune and provincial levels are designed to streamline governance and improve efficiency. However, local sentiments regarding the name changes, particularly concerning Phuc Dong, highlight the need for careful consideration of historical and cultural factors in these reforms.
