The Ministry of Interior of Vietnam has finalized a draft resolution proposing a significant rearrangement of administrative units across the country. This initiative, outlined on March 25, 2025, will maintain 11 provinces as they are, while suggesting the consolidation of 52 others to enhance administrative efficiency and governance.
The draft resolution comes as part of the directives from the Central Government, calling for a review and restructuring of several provincial-level units and various communal-level units. The decision is based on six established criteria: natural area, population size, history, tradition, culture, religion, ethnicity, socio-economics, politics, and national defense and security.
Under the new proposals, only 11 particular administrative units will remain unchanged. These include prominent areas such as Hanoi, Hue, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, Cao Bang, Lang Son, Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Ha Tinh. Meanwhile, 52 areas, including four major cities—Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Can Tho—have been identified for potential consolidation.
The rationale behind these changes is to adhere closely to the criteria set by the Politburo while also considering geographical and demographic factors that could influence the effective administration of these provinces. According to the report, approximately 9,996 out of 10,035 communal-level units will also undergo restructuring based on these guidelines.
In Ho Chi Minh City, districts are actively exploring potential plans for reorganizing administrative units. For instance, Go Vap district has put forth two proposals to merge its 12 wards into three new administrative units. The first plan suggests merging wards into units named Go Vap, An Nhon, and Thong Tay Hoi. Alternatively, the second plan uses major roads as boundaries to create the same number of units. Each proposal has its benefits and drawbacks regarding administrative stability and historical significance.
The leaders of Go Vap district have noted that the first plan might be favored due to its smoother integration, while the second plan would involve more evident administrative reshuffles based on physical geography. Nonetheless, they aim to preserve historical legacies in the naming process of the new units, linking their new identities back to their rich cultural heritage.
Binh Thanh district is also working on a similar reconfiguration, with plans to shrink its number of wards from 15 to four, which would carry names reflective of its historical context, such as Gia Dinh and Binh Hoa.
Meanwhile, District 1 is considering a more drastic consolidation of its 10 existing wards down to either two or three. One suggested framework combines three wards—Dã Kao, Tan Dinh, and Ben Nghe—into a single new ward named Ben Nghe. The other framework splits the district into three new wards using central roads as a guide. The administration in Phu Nhuan district also aims to reduce its 11 wards to just two while proposing names such as Phu Nhuan and Duc Nhuan, reflecting the historical context and demographic nuance of their communities.
In the rural district of Can Gio, local governance leaders are evaluating similar reorganization strategies. They are mapping two distinct plans that would either condense their six communes into two units or into three, based on geographical and transport considerations. While the leadership appears to lean towards the first plan, discussions about the final arrangements continue.
The draft resolution also stipulates that any newly merged administrative units will not be required to meet the area and population standards typically mandated. This flexibility has been noted as a way to facilitate operational efficiency without confining local governance to strict criteria that may not reflect community realities.
Furthermore, the Ministry emphasizes the importance of preserving names that resonate with local history and identity. This approach aims to maintain a sense of continuity and community engagement through the renaming of communal administrative units. While the newly formed names should be concise and memorable, there is a strong encouragement to incorporate official numbered identifiers to aid in data management and modernization efforts.
In terms of staffing, the proposed strategies indicate that the number of officials and civil servants in the new administrative units should not exceed those previously employed. Additionally, the current salary and benefits structure for leadership roles will remain intact for six months post-restructuring before adjustments are made according to new job descriptions.
In summary, Vietnam is poised for a significant reshuffling of its administrative units aimed at improving governance efficiency and addressing demographic changes. The upcoming arrangements are geared toward preserving historical identities while adapting to modern administrative demands, ultimately fostering a more streamlined local governance structure.
