The country will have 28 provinces and 6 centrally-governed cities
4/14/2025
The Central Executive Committee has agreed to reduce the number of provincial-level administrative units nationwide from 63 to 34, including 28 provinces and 6 centrally-governed cities.
Speaking at the closing session of the 11th Central Conference of the 13th tenure on the afternoon of April 12, General Secretary Tô Lâm emphasized that this reorganization would be implemented with a spirit of "science, breakthrough, creativity, close alignment with reality, and a 100-year vision", aimed at expanding the development space for the country in economic, social, and cultural terms.
The goal of the restructuring is to build a streamlined, effective, and people-oriented local government that meets the demands of modern governance, promotes rapid and sustainable growth, strengthens national defense, security, diplomacy, economic development (especially private sector economy), science and technology, innovation, and improves people’s livelihoods.
"Many comrades are concerned about personnel arrangements during mergers and consolidations, as well as personnel arrangements for Party Congresses. The central agencies will provide specific guidance on criteria and standards. I propose that the highest standard should be the demands of the job, followed by other criteria," said the General Secretary.
He requested that the provincial standing committees (those involved in mergers or consolidations) thoroughly discuss this matter to ensure high consensus in implementation, especially regarding the assignment of heads of agencies after the mergers. For unresolved matters, Politburo or Secretariat members in charge of those regions will provide guidance and direction. Provinces also need to assign provincial Party members to guide and direct commune-level Party Congresses.
After the Central Committee reaches consensus, the Government and localities will develop detailed plans for merging provinces and cities, including naming and determining new administrative centers, to be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration at its May-June session.
The Central Executive Committee has agreed to reduce the number of provincial-level administrative units nationwide from 63 to 34, including 28 provinces and 6 centrally-governed cities.
The Central Executive Committee has agreed to reduce the number of provincial-level administrative units nationwide from 63 to 34, including 28 provinces and 6 centrally-governed cities.
Speaking at the closing session of the 11th Central Conference of the 13th tenure on the afternoon of April 12, General Secretary Tô Lâm emphasized that this reorganization would be implemented with a spirit of "science, breakthrough, creativity, close alignment with reality, and a 100-year vision", aimed at expanding the development space for the country in economic, social, and cultural terms.
The goal of the restructuring is to build a streamlined, effective, and people-oriented local government that meets the demands of modern governance, promotes rapid and sustainable growth, strengthens national defense, security, diplomacy, economic development (especially private sector economy), science and technology, innovation, and improves people’s livelihoods.
"Many comrades are concerned about personnel arrangements during mergers and consolidations, as well as personnel arrangements for Party Congresses. The central agencies will provide specific guidance on criteria and standards. I propose that the highest standard should be the demands of the job, followed by other criteria," said the General Secretary.
He requested that the provincial standing committees (those involved in mergers or consolidations) thoroughly discuss this matter to ensure high consensus in implementation, especially regarding the assignment of heads of agencies after the mergers. For unresolved matters, Politburo or Secretariat members in charge of those regions will provide guidance and direction. Provinces also need to assign provincial Party members to guide and direct commune-level Party Congresses.
After the Central Committee reaches consensus, the Government and localities will develop detailed plans for merging provinces and cities, including naming and determining new administrative centers, to be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration at its May-June session.
Closing session of the 11th Central Committee Conference, afternoon of April 12. Photo: TTXVN
District-level governance to be phased out
According to the policy that has been unanimously agreed upon by the Central Committee, local government will be restructured into two tiers: the provincial level (provinces and centrally-governed cities) and the communal level (communes, wards, and special zones). The district level will cease to operate after the National Assembly passes amendments to the 2013 Constitution and the 2025 Law on Organization of Local Government. It is expected that the number of commune-level administrative units nationwide will be reduced by about 60-70%.
The Central Committee also approved the establishment of Party organizations at the local level to correspond with the administrative system at the provincial and communal levels, and to terminate the operation of district-level Party committees.
Under this new administrative model, the provincial level will play a dual role: implementing central policies and directives, while also issuing local policies tailored to specific conditions, and directly managing and guiding the activities of commune-level units within its jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, the commune level will focus on carrying out policies issued by the central and provincial governments. In addition, it will be granted greater decentralization and authority, including the power to issue legal normative documents to execute laws and address matters within its jurisdiction.
Consolidation of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Mass Organizations, and Public Associations
The Central Committee has also approved a policy to streamline and consolidate the organizational structure of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, political-social organizations, and public associations entrusted with duties by the Party and State, at the central, provincial, and communal levels. Additionally, the Central Committee agreed to end the operations of public sector and armed forces trade unions, and to reduce the union fees paid by officials, civil servants, and workers.
The Central Committee has reached consensus on amending and supplementing the Constitution and related laws concerning local government, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and political-social organizations to facilitate this restructuring. These legal documents must be completed by June 30 and take effect starting July 1.
A transitional period will be implemented to ensure smooth and uninterrupted operations in line with the roadmap for restructuring and consolidation. The Central Committee has requested close coordination among the National Assembly, the Government, and relevant agencies to effectively complete the institutional framework.
According to a draft resolution from the National Assembly Standing Committee, prepared by the Ministry of Home Affairs, 11 provincial-level administrative units will remain unchanged, including: Hanoi, Hue, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, Cao Bang, Lang Son, Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Ha Tinh. The remaining 52 localities are subject to restructuring, including four centrally-governed cities: Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Da Nang, and Can Tho.
Several merger plans are under consideration, such as Da Nang and Quang Nam; Bac Giang and Bac Ninh; Hai Phong and Hai Duong; Lao Cai and Yen Bai, among others.
Source: VnExpress
Closing session of the 11th Central Committee Conference, afternoon of April 12. Photo: TTXVN
District-level governance to be phased out
According to the policy that has been unanimously agreed upon by the Central Committee, local government will be restructured into two tiers: the provincial level (provinces and centrally-governed cities) and the communal level (communes, wards, and special zones). The district level will cease to operate after the National Assembly passes amendments to the 2013 Constitution and the 2025 Law on Organization of Local Government. It is expected that the number of commune-level administrative units nationwide will be reduced by about 60-70%.
The Central Committee also approved the establishment of Party organizations at the local level to correspond with the administrative system at the provincial and communal levels, and to terminate the operation of district-level Party committees.
Under this new administrative model, the provincial level will play a dual role: implementing central policies and directives, while also issuing local policies tailored to specific conditions, and directly managing and guiding the activities of commune-level units within its jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, the commune level will focus on carrying out policies issued by the central and provincial governments. In addition, it will be granted greater decentralization and authority, including the power to issue legal normative documents to execute laws and address matters within its jurisdiction.
Consolidation of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Mass Organizations, and Public Associations
The Central Committee has also approved a policy to streamline and consolidate the organizational structure of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, political-social organizations, and public associations entrusted with duties by the Party and State, at the central, provincial, and communal levels. Additionally, the Central Committee agreed to end the operations of public sector and armed forces trade unions, and to reduce the union fees paid by officials, civil servants, and workers.
The Central Committee has reached consensus on amending and supplementing the Constitution and related laws concerning local government, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and political-social organizations to facilitate this restructuring. These legal documents must be completed by June 30 and take effect starting July 1.
A transitional period will be implemented to ensure smooth and uninterrupted operations in line with the roadmap for restructuring and consolidation. The Central Committee has requested close coordination among the National Assembly, the Government, and relevant agencies to effectively complete the institutional framework.
According to a draft resolution from the National Assembly Standing Committee, prepared by the Ministry of Home Affairs, 11 provincial-level administrative units will remain unchanged, including: Hanoi, Hue, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, Cao Bang, Lang Son, Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Ha Tinh. The remaining 52 localities are subject to restructuring, including four centrally-governed cities: Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Da Nang, and Can Tho.
Several merger plans are under consideration, such as Da Nang and Quang Nam; Bac Giang and Bac Ninh; Hai Phong and Hai Duong; Lao Cai and Yen Bai, among others.
Source: VnExpress
