On March 27, 2025, the Bộ Nội vụ (Ministry of Home Affairs) announced the completion of a draft resolution for the arrangement of administrative units in Vietnam, a significant move that could reshape the country's provincial and communal landscape. This draft has been forwarded to the Bộ Tư pháp (Ministry of Justice) for appraisal, marking a crucial step in a process that aims to enhance administrative efficiency and governance.
According to the draft, the restructuring will be based on six key criteria that have been previously agreed upon by the Bộ Chính trị (Politburo). These criteria include natural area, population size, historical and cultural significance, economic geography, political geography, and national defense and security considerations. The aim is to create a more streamlined administrative framework that can better serve the needs of the population.
The criteria for natural area and population size are specified in Resolution 1211 of 2016, which was amended in 2022. This resolution outlines that a provincial-level administrative unit must meet specific requirements regarding area, population, and the number of district-level administrative units. For instance, mountainous provinces must have an area of at least 8,000 square kilometers and a population of 0.9 million, while other provinces require a minimum area of 5,000 square kilometers and a population of 1.4 million. Centrally-run cities must have a minimum area of 1,500 square kilometers and a population of 1 million.
Notably, the draft resolution emphasizes that administrative units that are isolated or pose challenges for transportation connections, as well as those that play a critical role in national defense, security, and the protection of national sovereignty, will not be subject to restructuring. This consideration is crucial for maintaining stability and security in strategically important regions.
As part of this administrative overhaul, it is anticipated that 11 provincial-level units will remain unchanged. These include major cities such as TP. Hà Nội (Hanoi), TP. Huế, Lai Châu, Điện Biên, Sơn La, Cao Bằng, Lạng Sơn, Quảng Ninh, Thanh Hóa, Nghệ An, and Hà Tĩnh. Conversely, 52 provincial-level administrative units are slated for reorganization, which includes four centrally-run cities: Hải Phòng, TP.HCM (Ho Chi Minh City), Đà Nẵng, and Cần Thơ, along with 48 provinces.
In addition to the provincial-level changes, the draft also outlines new standards for communal administrative units. Following the merger, new communes must achieve an area and population that meet at least 300% of current standards. For example, mountainous or border communes must have a minimum population of 7,500, while new wards must cover an area of at least 35 square kilometers with a population of 50,000 or more. In mountainous areas, wards will require a population of 35,000 people.
This restructuring is expected to significantly reduce the total number of commune and ward administrative units in Vietnam. Estimates suggest that the number of these units will decrease by at least 70% and possibly up to 75% compared to current figures. Out of 10,035 communes and wards nationwide, approximately 9,996 are subject to this reorganization, highlighting the scale of the proposed changes.
The implications of these administrative changes are far-reaching. By streamlining governance, the government aims to improve service delivery and enhance local administration's responsiveness to the needs of citizens. This move is particularly pertinent in light of ongoing discussions about the efficiency of local governance and the need for better resource allocation across regions.
As the Bộ Tư pháp continues to review the proposal, stakeholders from various sectors are closely monitoring the developments. The restructuring has the potential to address long-standing issues related to administrative inefficiencies and could pave the way for more effective governance. However, it also raises questions about the impact on local identities and the historical significance of certain administrative units.
Public sentiment regarding these changes remains mixed. While some citizens express optimism about the potential for improved governance, others worry about the loss of local representation and the cultural implications of merging administrative units. Community leaders have called for transparency in the process and for public consultations to ensure that the voices of local residents are heard.
In conclusion, the proposed administrative restructuring represents a significant shift in Vietnam's governance framework. By adhering to the established criteria and focusing on efficiency, the government aims to create a more responsive administrative system that can better serve its citizens. As the process unfolds, it will be crucial for the authorities to balance efficiency with the preservation of local identities and community needs.
