Vietnam is undergoing a sweeping reorganization of its local government and political-social organizational structures, aiming to streamline administration and enhance governance efficiency. Central to this transformation are recent directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Vietnam Fatherland Front (MTTQVN), which provide detailed guidance on arranging leadership and managing the newly consolidated administrative units at the provincial and commune levels.
On June 8, 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued Official Letter No. 3308/BNV-CCVC, which outlines the framework for arranging and appointing leaders and managers of the new commune-level People’s Committees. This directive was sent to Party Secretaries and Chairpersons of People’s Committees of all provinces and centrally-run cities. It implements Resolution No. 60-NQ/TW, dated April 12, 2025, from the 11th Conference of the 13th Central Party Committee, which mandates the establishment of a two-tier local government model.
The Ministry’s guidance follows the Politburo’s Conclusion No. 150-KL/TW and the Government’s Steering Committee’s Official Letters No. 03/CV-BCĐ and No. 11/CV-BCĐ, which collectively delineate the responsibilities and leadership arrangements for the new local government structure. According to the Politburo’s Conclusion No. 160-KL/TW, the Government is expediting the finalization of the amended Law on Organization of Local Government and drafting 28 decrees that specify decentralization, delegation of power, and the division of authority among local government levels.
One of the most significant aspects of this reform is the transfer of 1,065 tasks and powers previously held at the district level down to the newly formed commune level. This shift is designed to empower local administrations, enabling them to “decide, act, and be responsible,” thereby modernizing governance to be more professional and citizen-focused.
Following the administrative reorganization, Vietnam’s total number of commune-level administrative units has decreased dramatically. The Ministry of Home Affairs reports that as of 2025, the country has 3,321 such units, comprising 2,621 communes, 687 wards, and 13 special zones. This represents a reduction of 6,714 units, or nearly 67%, underscoring the scale of consolidation underway.
The Ministry emphasizes that leadership appointments must prioritize officials with proven leadership capacities, government management experience, innovative thinking, and a willingness to take responsibility. This is particularly important for the role of Chairperson of the People’s Committee at the commune level, given the expanded workload and responsibilities under the new two-tier model and the enhanced decentralization.
To ensure leadership quality, the Ministry advises provincial leaders to review and adjust personnel plans for the new communes. If existing candidates do not meet the demands, capable and experienced officials from provincial levels should be reassigned to fill leadership roles at the commune level. This approach aims to maintain continuity and effectiveness during the transition.
Complementing these structural reforms, on June 2, 2025, Ms. Nguyễn Thị Thu Hà, Vice President and Secretary-General of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, signed Instruction No. 18-HD/MTTW-BTT. This instruction supplements the organizational restructuring of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and other political-social organizations at the provincial and commune levels, which are tasked by the Party and State with implementing various social and political functions.
Instruction No. 18 builds upon Resolution 60-NQ/TW and Plan No. 47-KH/BCĐ, as well as Instruction No. 31-HD/BTCTW from the Central Organization Commission, which guides the establishment of Party organizations aligned with the new administrative units and the restructuring of MTTQVN and mass organizations.
The Standing Committee of the Central Committee of MTTQVN has issued detailed guidance on terminating activities of MTTQVN committees at provincial, district, and commune levels in areas affected by administrative mergers. For instance, the Standing Committee of the Central Committee terminates provincial-level committees, while district-level committees are dissolved by the provincial MTTQVN Standing Committee, and commune-level committees by the provincial MTTQVN Standing Committee as well.
Records and documents from merged administrative units are transferred accordingly: commune-level archives move to the new commune, and district-level archives move to the new provincial or city authority. This ensures continuity and proper record-keeping amid the structural changes.
Following these terminations, new MTTQVN committees are established to correspond with the reorganized administrative units. For provinces and cities not merged, the provincial MTTQVN Standing Committee submits documentation to the Central Committee for approval. Where mergers occur, the new provincial or city Party Standing Committee submits a formal agreement to the Central Committee of MTTQVN for the establishment of the new committee and recognition of its members and leadership.
At the commune level, the provincial MTTQVN Standing Committee issues decisions to establish new committees and recognize their executive members. Similar procedures apply to other political-social organizations such as the Labor Federation, Farmers’ Union, Women’s Union, Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, and Veterans Association.
Regarding the advisory bodies supporting MTTQVN and political-social organizations, the provincial level follows Instruction No. 31-HD/BTCTW to consolidate and clarify organizational functions. This includes defining clear responsibilities, ensuring effective leadership from provincial Party Committees, and organizing internal structures to avoid overlap while prioritizing critical and new tasks.
Staffing for these advisory bodies will be drawn from existing personnel, excluding retirees and those who have transferred or resigned. The allocation of staff is based on functions and job positions, prioritizing key and emerging areas. The principle of “person follows job” guides staff reassignment to maintain stability and continuity.
Financial and asset management will be carefully overseen during the transition. The Standing Committee will direct the reorganization of advisory bodies and ensure proper handover of finances and assets according to legal regulations. For merged provinces, funds from relief and fundraising committees will be consolidated into the new provincial-level committees.
Training and capacity-building programs will be implemented for provincial and commune-level cadres to equip them for duties under the new organizational model.
At the commune level, Party Standing Committees will issue decisions detailing the functions, tasks, and organizational structures of the MTTQVN and affiliated political-social organizations, with a focus on grassroots engagement and community-based activities.
The number of Deputy Chairpersons in MTTQVN and political-social organizations in merged areas is expected to be high, requiring local authorities to propose suitable arrangements to optimize leadership structures.
For mass associations assigned tasks by the Party and State, provincial MTTQVN committees will coordinate reviews of functions and organizational streamlining. Ineffective associations may be dissolved, and those with overlapping functions merged to enhance operational efficiency. The size of leadership bodies and deputy positions will follow the Central Organization Commission’s guidance.
Mass associations will continue to operate under their charters, guided and supervised by the provincial MTTQVN committees, adhering to Party directives and state laws. Their Party organizations will be transferred under the Party Committee of the corresponding MTTQVN.
Finally, congresses for MTTQVN and political-social organizations will be held soon after the Party congresses at the same level, following central directives. For mass associations, the Central Committee of MTTQVN will collaborate with relevant agencies to provide detailed guidance.
This comprehensive reorganization reflects Vietnam’s commitment to modernizing its governance system by consolidating administrative units, decentralizing authority, and enhancing the efficiency and accountability of political-social organizations. As these reforms take shape, they promise to reshape local governance and social mobilization, aligning them more closely with the needs of the people and the demands of a modern state.
