The Government of Vietnam has recently issued a series of resolutions aimed at restructuring administrative units across the country, particularly focusing on provincial and commune levels. This initiative is set to reshape the administrative landscape by consolidating numerous localities into fewer, more manageable units.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the plan includes the arrangement of 52 provincial-level administrative units, with 11 of these units—namely Hanoi, Hue, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, Lang Son, Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, and Cao Bang—exempt from restructuring. The proposal outlines 23 arrangement plans that will create 23 new provincial-level administrative units, resulting in a total of 34 units across the nation. These will consist of 6 centrally-run cities, including Hanoi, Hai Phong, Hue, Da Nang, Can Tho, and Ho Chi Minh City, alongside 28 provinces such as Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, and others.
In a significant move, the Ministry reported that the public opinion gathering and subsequent approval processes through local People's Councils demonstrated overwhelming support, with an average consensus rate of 96.19% nationwide. Remarkably, every People's Council at the provincial, district, and commune levels across the 52 provinces and cities voted in favor of their localities' administrative restructuring policies.
At the commune level, the initiative is even more extensive. The project indicates that the total number of commune-level administrative units will decrease from 10,035 to 3,321, marking a reduction of 6,714 units or a staggering 66.91%. This reduction will include 2,636 communes, 672 wards, and 13 special zones. Notably, 128 communes will remain unchanged, having met the necessary criteria regarding area and population or due to unique factors such as isolation.
The restructuring will also lead to the formation of 3,193 new commune-level administrative units through the merger and adjustment of existing units. The Ministry of Home Affairs highlighted that out of these new units, 3,039 will comply with the area and population standards set forth in Resolution 76/2025, achieving a compliance rate of 95.18%. Furthermore, 2,536 of these units (approximately 79.43%) will meet both criteria, while 503 units (15.75%) will be established from the integration of three or more existing units without needing to reassess their standards.
However, there are 154 commune-level units that do not meet the standard orientation for area or population. These units were formed through the merger of two existing units and cannot be further consolidated with adjacent units due to their specific circumstances.
To facilitate this restructuring, the project specifies the establishment of two new boards within the commune-level People's Councils: the Legal Board and the Economic-Social Board. Each commune-level People's Council will be composed of a Chairman, one Vice Chairman, the heads of the new boards, and representatives from the council.
As for the People's Committees at the commune level, the structure will include a Chairman, two Vice Chairmen, and members as per the amended Law on Organization of Local Government. The organization of specialized agencies and other administrative bodies under the commune-level People's Committees will align with government regulations.
Looking ahead, the National Assembly is expected to pass a resolution regarding the merger of provincial-level administrative units on June 24, 2025. Additionally, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly will soon approve the project for arranging commune-level administrative units.
This comprehensive restructuring initiative reflects the Vietnamese government's commitment to improving administrative efficiency and responsiveness to local needs. By consolidating administrative units, the government aims to enhance governance, streamline operations, and better allocate resources across the country.
As Vietnam continues to evolve its administrative framework, the implications of these changes will be closely monitored. Observers will be keen to see how this restructuring impacts local governance, community engagement, and overall administrative effectiveness in the years to come.
