Vietnam is undergoing a historic transformation in its administrative and judicial structures, driven by a series of sweeping reforms aimed at streamlining governance and enhancing efficiency across the country. Following the National Assembly's resolution to reorganize administrative units and establish a two-level local government system, significant changes are underway in provinces, the court system, and public administration.
On July 1, 2025, Vietnam officially reduced its provinces and centrally-run cities to 34, merging various administrative units to create larger, more manageable entities. A prime example is the merger of Binh Dinh and Gia Lai provinces into a new, expanded Gia Lai province, covering 21,576.53 square kilometers and home to over 3.5 million residents. This consolidation also led to the formation of 110 communes and 25 wards within the new province, carefully crafted through the merging of existing smaller units. For instance, the wards of Dong Da, Hai Cang, Thi Nai, and Tran Phu were combined to form the new Quy Nhon ward, while Nhon Binh ward and the communes of Nhon Hoi, Nhon Ly, and Nhon Hai merged into Quy Nhon Dong ward.
Such extensive reorganization has not been without logistical challenges. The Vietnam Road Administration, on July 8, 2025, called on Departments of Construction across provinces and centrally-run cities to review and update passenger transport routes. This update is crucial because the mergers have altered province codes, bus station codes, and the number of fixed passenger transport routes, both within and between provinces. The goal is to ensure that state management is supported by accurate, synchronized data accessible through the online public service system. Departments are tasked with cross-checking inter-provincial routes, updating codes for origin and destination points, and revising intra-provincial routes that were previously inter-provincial but now fall within a single province due to mergers.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs is tackling another key aspect of the reforms: the adjustment of salaries and allowances for public employees following the administrative rearrangements and the new two-level government operation. Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra highlighted on July 8, 2025, that the ministry is synthesizing information to propose a fair and balanced adjustment plan. This effort is part of a broader agenda for July, which includes a preliminary review conference scheduled before July 17, 2025. This conference will focus on the administrative unit rearrangement, decentralization and authority delegation, and administrative procedure reforms. The ministry plans to gather the 34 new directors of Departments of Home Affairs from the merged provinces and cities to discuss these critical topics comprehensively.
Minister Tra emphasized the importance of meticulous preparation, especially for the upcoming 78th Anniversary of Invalids and Martyrs' Day on July 27, 2025. The ministry intends to carry out visits and gift-giving activities with the utmost care and quality. Additionally, preparations are underway for the Party Congress of the Ministry of Home Affairs, marking the 80th anniversary of the sector, which also ties into the Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs sector's traditional observances.
In parallel with these administrative reforms, the judiciary is experiencing a profound restructuring to align with the new governance model. The Supreme People's Court has spearheaded efforts to streamline the court system, basing changes on Party resolutions and legal frameworks. The National Assembly passed several key resolutions in June 2025, including amendments to the Law on Organization of People's Courts and the establishment of provincial-level and regional People's Courts, which replaced the previous system that included three High People's Courts.
This restructuring reduced the number of court units significantly: one department-level unit and sixteen division-level units at the Supreme People's Court were eliminated, along with the cessation of three High People's Courts, which led to cuts of 25 department-level and 12 division-level units. At the provincial level, 29 People's Courts were merged, and the number of specialized courts was nearly halved. District-level courts were consolidated into 355 regional People's Courts from the previous 693, further streamlining the judicial apparatus.
Leadership adjustments accompanied these structural changes. Thirty-four Chief Justices of provincial courts were introduced into provincial Party Committees for terms spanning 2020-2025 and 2025-2030. Deputy Chief Justices number 148 at the provincial level, with some courts having up to nine deputies, a number that will gradually be reduced over five years. At the regional level, 346 out of 355 Chief Justices and 1,160 Deputy Chief Justices have been appointed, maintaining an average of three to four deputies per court.
Personnel policies have been carefully managed, with approvals for early retirement granted to nearly 600 court officials across various levels under government decrees. The judiciary is also expanding its judicial workforce, increasing the total number of judges by 50 to 7,004 and boosting the number of Grade 3 judges—those serving at regional courts—to 862 from 235, aiming to enhance judicial quality and capacity.
Looking ahead, the judiciary plans to continue refining legal frameworks to support the new court system, including specialized courts for economic, intellectual property, and bankruptcy cases in major political and economic centers. Training programs are being rolled out to equip court staff with the necessary knowledge and skills, particularly in foreign languages, information technology, and increased jurisdictional responsibilities. The judiciary is also embracing technology, with initiatives to integrate artificial intelligence and develop an electronic court system.
On the governance front, the Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption, Wastefulness, and Negativity, chaired by General Secretary To Lam, held its 28th session on July 7, 2025, emphasizing the timely detection and handling of violations related to the administrative apparatus reorganization. This vigilance underscores the government's commitment to transparency and integrity amid the sweeping reforms.
Back in Gia Lai province, the practical impacts of these reforms are already visible. At a training conference on July 6, 2025, Vice Chairman Lam Hai Giang reported that after just one week of operating the new administrative procedure resolution information system, localities were effectively implementing tasks. Citizens and businesses experienced prompt service, and the system ran smoothly without significant obstacles. The arrangement and allocation of facilities, equipment, and human resources were well executed, with support staff readily available at commune and ward Public Administrative Service Centers. Organizational restructuring, office reallocation, seal changes, and internal regulation development proceeded swiftly and cohesively.
This nationwide overhaul reflects a historic step in Vietnam's administrative evolution, aimed at creating a leaner, more effective government and judicial system. As General Secretary To Lam remarked, "The decision to rearrange the country’s landscape is a historic step with strategic significance, marking a new development phase in perfecting the state administrative apparatus and building a synchronized, streamlined, effective political system." The success of these reforms will not only improve governance but also strengthen public trust and the rule of law, setting the stage for Vietnam's continued progress in the decades to come.
