In a significant move towards administrative reform, Quang Nam Province is set to undergo major restructuring, merging with Da Nang City and renaming its communes and wards. This decision follows a widespread consultation process with local residents, which revealed overwhelming support for the proposed changes.
According to Mr. Luong Nguyen Minh Triet, Secretary of the Quang Nam Provincial Party Committee, the public consultation held on April 19 and 20, 2025, saw participation from 99.02% of household representatives across the province. Notably, 97.66% of voters supported the proposed arrangement at the commune level, while 98.52% agreed to the merger with Da Nang City.
Despite this strong backing, many residents expressed a desire for the new names of the merged communes to reflect local history and culture, rather than following the old naming conventions that included district names and ordinal numbers. In response to these concerns, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee proposed a thorough review of historical and cultural traditions within the locality. This initiative aims to establish new names that resonate with the rich heritage of Quang Nam.
During a conference held on April 21, 2025, the Provincial Party Committee discussed and approved a new naming plan for the 88 communes and wards, which replaces the previously announced plan under Resolution No. 45 dated April 18, 2025. The delegates agreed to abandon the practice of naming new communes and wards based on old district names combined with numbers or directional indicators. Instead, they will adopt names that reflect significant historical sites and cultural values associated with each region.
The new names will include references to various landmarks, rivers, and cultural heritages that are emblematic of Quang Nam. For example, new names like Thanh Chau and Thanh Ha will represent areas in Hoi An City, while Huong Tra, Ban Thach, and Quang Phu will be associated with Tam Ky City. Other notable names include A Vuong and Ben Hien in Dong Giang district, as well as Tai Da and Son Cam Ha in Tien Phuoc district.
Mr. Triet emphasized the importance of this naming initiative, urging the Department of Home Affairs to guide localities in promptly gathering public opinions on the newly agreed names. He stressed the need to complete the subsequent steps quickly to ensure the proposal is submitted to the Provincial People's Council during its upcoming session on April 26, 2025.
Prior to the conference, on April 20, 2025, the Quang Nam Provincial People's Committee had already issued a directive to local governments, requesting them to re-propose names for the expected administrative units following the restructuring.
This restructuring plan, as outlined in Resolution No. 45, aims to consolidate the existing administrative units in Quang Nam. The province is expected to reduce its total number of communes, wards, and towns from 233 to 88, comprising 12 wards and 76 communes. This move is part of a broader strategy to streamline governance and improve administrative efficiency in the region.
As Quang Nam embarks on this transformative journey, the emphasis on cultural heritage in naming new administrative units highlights a commitment to preserving local identity while adapting to modern governance needs. The successful implementation of this plan will not only reshape the administrative landscape of Quang Nam but also reinforce the cultural significance of the region.
Overall, the public's enthusiastic response to the restructuring and renaming initiative reflects a collective aspiration for a more culturally resonant and administratively efficient future in Quang Nam Province.
