In a significant administrative overhaul, Vietnam is set to undergo a major restructuring of its local governance, affecting numerous provinces and districts across the country. The Ministry of Home Affairs is currently assessing 34 proposals aimed at rearranging administrative units at both the provincial and commune levels, as outlined in recent resolutions. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance governance efficiency and streamline local administration.
According to the Ministry, the capital city of Hanoi is poised to see the most drastic changes, with a staggering reduction of up to 76% in the number of communes and wards. This substantial cut positions Hanoi as the leader in this nationwide administrative reform, which is expected to unify and optimize local governance.
As of May 4, 2025, the Ministry had already submitted 26 of the 34 commune-level arrangement project proposals to the government, with plans to present an additional six proposals on May 6. The remaining two proposals are being finalized in collaboration with local authorities and are expected to be submitted before May 10.
The overarching goal of these changes is to reduce the number of commune-level units by nearly 67% across the country, aligning with the central government's target of decreasing such units by 60-70%. Initial reports indicate that 128 communes will remain unchanged, as they meet the necessary criteria or occupy isolated positions that prevent their consolidation.
In Nghe An province, the local authorities have been proactive in implementing the administrative changes. On May 5, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Steering Committee convened to discuss the arrangement and reorganization of commune-level administrative units. Following the deployment of Conclusion No. 04/TB-BCĐ on April 29, all districts and cities in Nghe An have successfully selected new names for their administrative units.
Out of 20 localities, 14 have transitioned from numerical designations to names that reflect traditional, cultural, and historical significance. Notable cities like Vinh, Con Cuong, and Nghi Loc have reported a high consensus rate among voters, averaging between 95% and 99% in favor of the new names. The remaining localities are expected to finalize their naming processes by May 7, with the Provincial People's Council scheduled to approve the changes on May 8.
Secretary of the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee, Nguyen Duc Trung, expressed satisfaction with the progress made by local governments. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that citizens understand the purpose of these administrative changes, which aim to improve management efficiency and better serve the public. The Secretary also highlighted the need for careful planning regarding personnel arrangements following the mergers.
Meanwhile, in Bac Ninh province, a merger with Bac Giang province is underway, creating a new administrative entity that will retain the name Bac Ninh. This new province will cover an area of 4,718.6 square kilometers and will have a population exceeding 3.6 million people. The restructuring will result in a total of 99 commune-level administrative units, down from 121 prior to the merger.
This significant reduction, amounting to 80 units, includes 44 communes, 31 wards, and five towns, achieving a reduction rate of 66.11%. The changes will introduce new administrative units across various cities and towns within the province, including five new wards in Bac Ninh city and several others in Tu Son, Thuan Thanh, Que Vo, and Gia Binh districts.
The Ministry of Home Affairs is keen on ensuring that the restructuring process is executed smoothly and efficiently. They are working closely with local governments to finalize the necessary documentation and to ensure compliance with legal standards. The goal is to present a comprehensive proposal for the arrangement of administrative units to the National Assembly and the National Assembly Standing Committee.
In light of these developments, the Ministry has emphasized the need for clear communication with the public regarding the objectives of the administrative reforms. The changes are designed not only to improve governance but also to create a more responsive and effective local administration that can better meet the needs of citizens.
The restructuring of administrative units is a crucial step towards achieving greater efficiency and effectiveness in local governance in Vietnam. With significant changes on the horizon, the government aims to create a more streamlined administrative framework that can better support the country's socio-economic development.
As Vietnam moves forward with these significant reforms, the focus remains on ensuring that the changes are beneficial to the local populace, fostering a governance model that is both modern and responsive to the needs of its citizens.
