Vietnam is on track for significant administrative restructuring, aiming to merge several provincial units to optimize governance and stimulate economic growth. On February 28, 2025, the Politburo and Secretariat published Conclusion 127, outlining strategies for research and suggestions on reorganizing the political structure, including the merger of some provincial-level units. During the recent government meeting on March 5, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the urgency of drawing up plans to reorganize administrative boundaries and consolidate provinces, aiming to present proposals to the Politburo and Secretariat by March 9.
The potential merging of provinces has garnered widespread public support as it is seen as a chance to reorganize national development spaces to meet the demands for achieving double-digit economic growth. Nevertheless, challenges are expected and will require careful management to overcome them. "The spirit of 'running and organizing at the same time' has been actively practiced by central agencies, and now this spirit is being echoed in the rearrangement of administrative boundaries," commented National Assembly Deputy Nguyen Thi Viet Nga. She highlighted the strong consensus among the public and the concerted efforts of the entire political system, which shows the correctness of the decision to reorganize administration at both provincial and local levels.
With the current setup of 63 provincial units, 696 district units, and over 10,590 commune units, many regions do not meet the established criteria for population, area, or administrative density. According to the National Assembly's evaluation criteria, ten provinces do not meet all three required specifications, highlighting the necessity for this administrative overhaul. Experts suggest consolidations could reduce state governance burdens, fostering innovative and developmental opportunities within local regions. During the March 5 meeting, Prime Minister Chinh stressed the importance of adjusting provincial units based on specific criteria including area, population, economy, cultural cohesion, and mutual support for growth.
Vietnam's historical administrative transformations are noteworthy; for example, from 1976, the country grew from 38 provinces to its current total. Notably, the country’s administrative structure has primarily expanded over the years, rather than shrunk, with the exception of the merger between Hanoi and Ha Tay province. This upcoming restructuring marks one of the most substantial administrative initiatives since 2008, with expectations set on improving public administration efficiency, boosting resource allocation for development initiatives, and enhancing regional collaborations.
Dr. Nguyen Thi Huong, former Deputy Director of the Administrative Science Research Institute, argues for the immediate need to merge provinces and reinforce the administrative systems. "The socio-economic development demands of today must be reflected through our administrative structure—different eras call for different organizational frameworks," she said, advising on creating larger administrative units to benefit developmental facilitation and management.
Dr. Huong cited favorable conditions for this merge, emphasizing modern infrastructure capabilities and technological advances as supporting factors for managing larger units effectively. She articulated the necessity for innovative organizational structures to correspond with current resource allocation and management challenges.
IDepartures from traditional administrative setups raise valid questions about the naming conventions of merged entities. MP Nguyen Thi Viet Nga, speaking for her constituents, confided concerns on the bureaucratic upheaval new names would bring. Name changes could result in extensive administrative rewrites for citizens. She suggests retaining existing names from merged units and selecting one name to maintain historical continuity.
Reflecting on administrative practices globally, Huong compared Vietnam’s situation to China, where fewer provincial entities manage significantly larger populations and land areas, thereby provoking thoughts on efficiency versus sheer numbers. This strategy should integrate cultural, geographical, and socio-political contexts, promoting cohesion and continued development aimed at enhancing regional potential.
On the ground, community leaders and local governments express readiness to support the proposed changes, acknowledging the necessity of transitioning to improved governance efficiency. The proposed two-tier administrative model consisting of provincial and grassroots levels—eliminates the district tier—aims at reducing bureaucracy and enhancing government responsiveness.
During the March 5 conference, Prime Minister Chinh noted, "Not only will we merge provincial units, but we also aim to create local governance structures responsive to contemporary economic and social challenges." This restructure is perceived as preparing Vietnam for its developmental future, where the focus will be on technology-driven efficiencies and collaborative governance.
Going forward, the Prime Minister called on all governmental sectors to remain responsive and diligent as plans for these significant changes are executed. He affirmed the goal of not only restructuring the administration but also enhancing public service delivery for future economic expectations.
The impending administrative mergers and organizational restructuring signal not only operational changes but also signify Vietnam's aspirations to evolve alongside 21st-century governance practices, promising future-ready frameworks poised for economic advancement.