Long An Province Restructures Administrative Units For Efficiency

The Long An Provincial Party Committee has initiated a significant administrative restructuring aimed at enhancing local governance by abolishing the district level and expanding commune-level units. This move, as detailed in a recent conference, is part of a broader strategy to align administrative units with new criteria established by the government.

As of March 28, 2025, the Long An province comprises 186 administrative units at the commune level, including 160 communes, 11 wards, and 15 towns. However, none of these units currently meet the new criteria set forth by the government. The Provincial Party Committee's Organization Board has been tasked with collaborating with local authorities to propose criteria for the rearrangement of hamlets and residential areas to ensure they are suitable for the evolving administrative landscape.

During the conference, the Provincial Party Secretary emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "This is a new and difficult task. However, the province has proactively and urgently implemented it in accordance with the spirit of the Central Government's direction." The restructuring is expected to focus on six key criteria: natural area, population size, historical and cultural significance, economic location, political location, and national defense and security.

The six criteria are designed to ensure that new administrative units can effectively serve the community while promoting sustainable development. The criteria include considerations of natural area and population size, which must meet specific thresholds as defined by the government. For instance, a new commune must have both a natural area and a population size reaching 300% or more of the established standards.

Moreover, the Ministry of Home Affairs has outlined further proposals regarding the restructuring of administrative units. These include provisions that a new ward must have a natural area of at least 35 km² and a population size of at least 50,000, with special considerations for mountainous and highland areas where a population of 35,000 is sufficient.

In cases where multiple commune-level units are merged into a new unit, the assessment of criteria regarding natural area and population size may be waived, streamlining the process. The goal is to reduce the total number of administrative units in communes and wards by a minimum of 70% and a maximum of 75% compared to the previous structure.

Similar restructuring efforts are underway in Ho Chi Minh City, where all 22 districts, including Thu Duc City, have proposed plans to merge and rearrange commune-level administrative units, effectively abolishing the district level. This ambitious plan would reduce the number of grassroots-level units from 273 to nearly 70, a decrease of over 200 units. The most significant reductions are anticipated in District 3 and Hoc Mon District, where the number of units could drop by 80-90%.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the proposed administrative changes reflect a broader effort to streamline governance and enhance the efficiency of local administrations. The city was the first in Vietnam to implement an urban government model without a pilot phase, following the enactment of Resolution 131/2020/QH14, which eliminated the People's Councils in 16 districts and 249 wards.

Phan Van Mai, the former Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, highlighted the achievements of this urban governance model during a recent conference, noting five key results that improved state management effectiveness and streamlined the organizational structure. However, he also acknowledged challenges, particularly regarding funding and the operational efficiency of ward-level administrations.

The proposed administrative changes in both Long An and Ho Chi Minh City are part of a nationwide trend aimed at optimizing local governance structures. The Ministry of Home Affairs has stated that the rearrangement of administrative units must align with the principles of leadership from the Communist Party and foster local autonomy and accountability.

As these changes unfold, it is crucial for local governments to engage with the community to ensure that the restructuring process is transparent and considers the historical and cultural significance of existing administrative units. The Provincial Party Secretary of Long An has urged delegates to carefully consider the names of new administrative units, suggesting that some historical names should be retained to preserve cultural identity.

In summary, the ongoing efforts to restructure administrative units in Long An and Ho Chi Minh City represent a significant shift in local governance aimed at enhancing efficiency and responsiveness to community needs. As the process progresses, the focus will remain on ensuring that the new administrative framework effectively serves the population while adhering to the established criteria set forth by the government.