On March 25, 2025, the National Assembly Standing Committee convened the 7th National Assembly Delegate Conference to discuss draft laws relevant to the upcoming 9th session of the 15th National Assembly. Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man initiated the meeting, underscoring the urgency of strategic political arrangements impacting Vietnam's administrative structure.
"This is our seventh specialist conference for the 15th National Assembly period," Chairman Man stated, highlighting the meeting's role amid busy political reform efforts. The upcoming 9th session is anticipated to last approximately two months, during which public commentary on constitutional amendments will be solicited. A significant component of this session will revolve around modifying the Constitution to facilitate administrative unit arrangements, with an emphasis on merging and optimizing the current 63 provinces and cities.
The plan indicates a substantial overhaul, with an expected rearrangement of about 50% of current provincial units, and if approved, the elimination of district-level governance units. Currently, Vietnam operates 696 districts; however, this number may be entirely phased out if constitutional amendments pass. According to Chairman Man, the goal also includes reducing the total number of commune-level administrative units, currently at 10,035, by 60-70%. "This adjustment is crucial for enhancing government efficiency," he expressed.
Chairman Man detailed that discussions would include numerous impactful draft laws, among which are amendments to the Special Consumption Tax Law and the Corporate Income Tax Law—critical for fostering business operations and stimulating economic growth within Vietnam. Such legislative efforts will also nurture the technology industry, facilitating advancements in digital and information technology sectors.
As the assembly aims to optimize governance, a notable aspect of this initiative revolves around a comprehensive restructuring of administrative units. Potential mergers of provinces and towns will reflect historical ties, economic conditions, and local identities. Policymakers are keen to ensure that new administrative boundaries align with national security and defense parameters.
"Our strategy is to consolidate while preserving the community's cultural heritage, traditions, and identities," stated the Chairman. "We aim for a robust and agile local government directly responsible and responsive to the populace."
The National Assembly Standing Committee plans to address specific legislative proposals in early 2025 to streamline the review and amendment process of existing laws related to employment and educational qualifications across administrative sectors.
The operative timeline for these administrative shifts anticipates completing the merger of provincial units before August 30, 2025, with plans for implementation of new governance structures commencing September 1, 2025. This substantial transformation aligns with recent political doctrine aiming for a leaner, more effective government apparatus.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs, led by Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra, confirmed the commitment to ensuring these mergers reflect population size and administrative capacity standards to fulfill the directives outlined in Resolution No. 1211. "These merger processes will be informed by historic and socio-cultural parameters to achieve community coherence and administrative efficacy," she emphasized.
The Ministry also announced that nearly 9,996 municipal-level administrative units—equivalent to about 98% of total local governance frameworks—are expected to undergo restructuring, with an end goal of maintaining approximately 2,500 active units.
The conference also addressed potential hurdles that might arise in this substantial undertaking, particularly in ensuring each administrative unit's identity remains anchored in the local culture and historical integrity. Concerns about maintaining public services and socio-political stability during the transition are paramount.
Still, all eyes will be on the National Assembly as it crafts legislation that might significantly alter the landscape of local governance in Vietnam, encouraging socio-economic development while adhering to traditions that define Vietnamese identity. The upcoming months will be critical in shaping how Vietnam's political structure will align with its ambitious growth goals while safeguarding its diverse cultural heritage.
The proposed changes bring anticipation and skepticism alike as residents ponder the implications of a leaner administrative landscape. How will these reforms play out is still to be seen, but officials remain optimistic about the eventual benefits that more streamlined governance could bring, securing both economic and community advancements across the nation. This restructuring, after all, isn't simply an operational upgrade—it's a foundational rethinking of how governance intersects with the lives of citizens.
