On the morning of September 28, the National Assembly Standing Committee approved resolutions for the administrative reorganization of 13 provinces and cities. This reorganization involves merging 5 district-level and 186 commune-level units, aimed at streamlining governance and improving administrative efficiency.

The provinces involved include Bac Giang, Can Tho, Dak Lak, Dong Nai, Gia Lai, Khanh Hoa, Lao Cai, Ninh Thuan, Phu Yen, Quang Ninh, Thai Binh, Tien Giang, and Vinh Long.

According to a summarized report presented by the Minister of Home Affairs, Pham Thi Thanh Tra, Bac Giang, for example, will reorganize 4 out of 10 district-level units under encouraged conditions to form 4 new district-level units. Specifically, Yen Dung district will be merged into Bac Giang city, with administrative boundary adjustments for Luc Ngan and Son Dong districts to form the new town of Chu.

Moreover, Bac Giang will also reorganize 34 out of 209 commune-level units to establish 17 new commune-level units; this includes forming 16 wards and 2 towns from the existing 18 commune-level units. After the reorganization, the province will not change the number of district-level units but will reduce 17 commune-level units.

Quang Ninh province will reorganize 12 out of 177 commune-level units to form 6 new commune-level units and establish the city of Dong Trieu on the basis of the existing town of Dong Trieu, including creating 4 new wards from 4 existing communes. After the restructuring, the province will maintain the current number of district-level units (13 units) but reduce 6 commune-level units.

The other provinces will not reorganize district-level units but will merge commune-level units. For example, Can Tho city will reorganize 4 out of 83 commune-level units, reducing by 3 units. Similarly, Dak Lak will merge 11 out of 184 commune-level units, reducing by 4 units; Dong Nai will reorganize 22 out of 170 commune-level units, reducing by 11 units; and so on for the other provinces listed.

In total, the government proposes the reorganization of 5 district-level and 186 commune-level units to establish 5 new district-level and 99 new commune-level units across these 13 provinces and cities. After these changes, there will be no alteration in the number of district-level units but a reduction of 87 commune-level units.

This comprehensive administrative reform is expected to make local governance more efficient and responsive to the needs of the citizens. The reorganization also includes provisions for excess staff and facilities, ensuring that all resources are optimally utilized.

All the resolutions, except for Bac Giang’s, which will take effect from January 1, 2025, are set to be implemented starting November 1, 2023. This follows the approval of similar administrative restructuring resolutions for Nam Dinh, Soc Trang, and Tuyen Quang provinces on July 23.

Thu Hang