On April 18, 2025, the Thanh Hoa Provincial Party Committee held a significant conference aimed at implementing the arrangement of commune-level administrative units. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to streamline administrative structures in the province, which currently boasts a natural area of 11,114.71 km² and a population of 4,320,947 people.
As it stands, Thanh Hoa has 26 district-level administrative units, including 2 cities, 2 towns, and 22 districts, with a total of 547 commune-level administrative units comprising 63 wards, 32 towns, and 452 communes. Notably, 16 of these units are located in border areas adjacent to Laos. The current distribution of commune-level units in Thanh Hoa is significantly below the national averages of 33.09 km² per commune and 10,108 people per commune.
The proposed plan aims to reduce the number of commune-level administrative units by approximately 70%. Specifically, the plan calls for a reorganization that will consolidate 529 existing units into 166 new units, which will consist of 18 wards and 148 communes—73 in the plains and 75 in mountainous areas. This change means a reduction of 381 units, translating to a 69.65% decrease.
During the conference, the Director of the Department of Home Affairs, Tran Quoc Huy, presented a detailed report on the reorganization project for commune-level administrative units in Thanh Hoa for 2025. The plan is in accordance with the Central Party Committee's Resolution No. 60-NQ/TW and the National Assembly's Resolution No. 76/2025/UBTVQH15. The strategy is designed to enhance administrative efficiency and improve governance at the local level.
Notably, the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial People's Committee have proposed that 18 specific units should not be rearranged. This includes 12 out of 16 border communes that share a border with Laos and 6 mountainous communes. The rationale for this decision is to maintain stability in border areas, ensuring national security and sovereignty while also considering the unique geographical and demographic characteristics of these regions.
In terms of timeline, public opinion on the proposed changes will be gathered before April 21, 2025. Ballots will be issued to collect opinions from household representatives by April 22, 2025. The People's Councils at both the commune and district levels are expected to review and approve the arrangement policy by April 23, 2025. Following this, the People's Committees of the districts, towns, and cities must complete and submit the necessary documentation to the Provincial People's Committee by April 24, 2025.
The Provincial People's Council is scheduled to pass a resolution regarding the arrangement of commune-level units by April 27, 2025. Subsequently, the proposal will be submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs for appraisal, followed by a report to the Government and the National Assembly's Legal Committee for further evaluation. The National Assembly Standing Committee is expected to make a decision on the arrangement from May 1 to June 15, 2025.
By June 30, 2025, the new administrative units will be officially operational, with the necessary organizational structures and resources in place. This marks a significant transformation in the administrative landscape of Thanh Hoa, aiming to create a more efficient and responsive governance system.
Meanwhile, in neighboring Nghe An province, a similar administrative restructuring was also approved on the same day. The Nghe An People's Committee announced a plan to arrange commune-level administrative units, reducing the total from 412 to 130. This plan includes merging 29 units and consolidating 92 others, resulting in 126 units that meet the required standards, while 4 units will remain despite not meeting the criteria due to special circumstances.
Nghe An currently employs 12,721 civil servants across district and commune levels, with an expected surplus of 3,530 positions following the reorganization. The provincial government is tasked with ensuring that the restructuring process is transparent and equitable, particularly in the allocation of civil servants to the newly formed units.
In Hanoi, a decision was made on the same day to establish a Working Group to assist in the implementation of the commune-level administrative unit arrangement project. This group, led by the Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, Tran Sy Thanh, will propose solutions for the restructuring and ensure compliance with Central Government regulations. The plan aims to reduce the number of administrative units in the capital from 526 to 126, representing a decrease of nearly 76%, exceeding the Central Government's target.
Quang Ngai province also announced its administrative restructuring plan on April 18, 2025. Under this plan, the number of wards will decrease from 20 to just 5, following a similar consolidation strategy. The new administrative units will be formed by merging existing units, with careful consideration given to historical and cultural significance in naming the new entities.
As Vietnam continues to modernize its administrative framework, these significant changes across various provinces reflect a commitment to improving governance, enhancing service delivery, and ensuring that local administrations are better equipped to meet the needs of their communities. The ongoing efforts to streamline administrative units are seen as essential for fostering development and maintaining stability across the nation.
