In a significant move towards administrative efficiency, localities in Vinh Long province have initiated plans to gather opinions from voters regarding the arrangement of administrative units at both the provincial and commune levels. This effort, backed by the provincial Party Committee and the People's Committee, aims to streamline the organizational structure, enhance the quality and responsibility of civil servants, and ultimately improve the material and spiritual lives of the residents.
Mr. Bui Thanh Tuan, Vice Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Ward 1 in Vinh Long City, highlighted that the locality has established a steering committee to oversee the merger of Vinh Long, Ben Tre, and Tra Vinh provinces, as well as the merging of Ward 1, Ward 9, and Truong An into a new entity called Long Chau ward. "This merger aligns with the current situation and will create a foundation for economic, cultural, social, and national defense development," Tuan stated.
The local government is actively disseminating information to ensure that residents understand the goals and requirements of the merger project, which is set to be reported to the City People's Committee before April 19, 2025.
In a related development, Mr. Le Van Toan, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Thanh Trung commune in Binh Tan district, announced that the communes of Nguyen Van Thanh, My Thuan, and Thanh Trung will be merged to form a new My Thuan commune, with its headquarters located in Nguyen Van Thanh. From April 17 to April 20, officials will visit households to inform residents and collect their opinions through ballots.
Support for the merger is widespread among the residents of Trung Trach hamlet, according to Mr. Kien Chuc from Trung Thanh commune in Vung Liem district. He noted that the community has been following updates on the administrative restructuring through various media outlets and is largely in favor of the changes. "When officials came to gather opinions, people signed in agreement right away," Chuc reported.
In Mang Thit district, Mr. Lam Van Hung shared that Cai Nhum town will merge with An Phuoc and Chanh An communes to create a new Cai Nhum commune, with its administrative center located at the current district headquarters. "The community is showing high support for this administrative adjustment," Hung remarked, emphasizing the importance of public participation in the process.
Retired civil servant Mr. Ly Van Nam from Long Ho town expressed optimism about the merger project, hoping it will be implemented smoothly and operational by July 1, 2025. He noted that the commune has been proactive in engaging Party members and retired officials to discuss the restructuring plans.
In Tan My commune of Tra On district, Mr. Thach Ngoc, Secretary of the Party branch and Head of Tra Mon hamlet, reported that 80% of the 406 households in his area are from the Khmer ethnic minority, and they are in favor of the administrative restructuring. He explained that merging the communes of Tan My, Nhon Binh, and Tra Con into the new Tra Con commune will provide greater opportunities for socio-economic development.
Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Lanh, a member of the representative board of Hoa Hao Buddhism in Vinh Long province, emphasized that the rearrangement of administrative units is a prudent decision that will streamline government operations, save budgetary resources, and foster sustainable local development. "This is a correct and timely initiative that aligns with our current realities," Lanh stated.
In a broader context, on April 18, 2025, Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh met with voters from Me Linh and Soc Son districts prior to the 9th session of the 15th National Assembly. He reported that the 11th Central Conference has decided to reduce the number of communes and wards across the country by approximately 60-70%. "Currently, we have over 10,000 communes, which will be reduced to about 3,000," Thanh noted, describing these decisions as essential for achieving the government's growth target of 8% in 2025 and double-digit growth thereafter.
General Secretary To Lam underscored the need for institutional reform, calling it the "bottleneck of bottlenecks." He emphasized the importance of developing an open institutional framework that can propel Vietnam's growth compared to other countries. "The spirit is to decentralize and clarify authority, moving away from the previous mindset of excessive oversight," Thanh explained.
In Hanoi, the city has successfully summarized Resolution 18 since 2017, conducting four phases of restructuring to reduce bureaucratic layers. Thanh remarked on the efficiency of the process, stating, "We are moving faster, especially with the recent implementation of streamlined pathways for administrative tasks." He added that a meeting on April 18 would determine the number of remaining communes and wards in Soc Son and Me Linh, alongside public consultations and asset inventories.
Looking forward, the leadership of newly formed administrative units will be designated until 2030, after which elections will resume. Regarding personnel adjustments, Thanh indicated that redundant positions will initially be consolidated and gradually reduced over the next five years. "The goal is to ensure that administrative units are neither too large nor too small, maintaining close ties to the community," he affirmed.
Ultimately, the focus remains on ensuring that the government remains accessible and responsive to the needs of the people. "The key is whether we can genuinely prioritize the needs of our citizens and maintain a respectful attitude towards them," Thanh concluded.
