The draft decree regulates the functions, tasks and organizational structure of ministries and ministerial-level agencies, as well as the maximum number of deputies for organizations and units under ministries and ministerial-level agencies.

The Ministry of Justice proposes merging 52 provinces while keeping 11 unchanged to optimize governance.

To facilitate digitalization and data management, new commune-level units will bear former district names with numerical order, according to the draft resolution.

Unconfirmed news about provincial mergers has sparked a rush to buy land, but experts warn of potential losses as market conditions remain uncertain.

Vietnam currently has 696 district-level administrative units, but these will soon be eliminated. Additionally, the number of commune-level units - currently around 10,035 - will be reduced by 60-70%.

After the district level is abolished, district officials could be reassigned to serve as commune-level civil servants, while officials lacking competence should be removed, VietNamNet’s readers have suggested.

Financial support of up to $114,000 for civil servants resigning amid restructuring is no longer available under the latest government decree.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has proposed suspending ongoing administrative mergers to align with new policies on provincial restructuring.

A proposed restructuring of Phu Quoc Island could see the establishment of two to three special zones, including Bac Phu Quoc, Nam Phu Quoc, and Tho Chau.

By reducing the number of provinces and abolishing district-level administration, the government aims to improve governance efficiency and reduce public expenditure.

As provinces merge, choosing a name means balancing economic potential and cultural heritage.

The Vietnamese government sets a roadmap to enhance decentralization and authority delegation under newly passed laws.

The Central Steering Committee has directed that plans for merging provinces and abolishing district-level governance be submitted to the Central Executive Committee before April 1.

With 63 provincial administrations, critics argue that Vietnam’s bureaucratic system is overly complex and wasteful. The call for merging provinces to optimize resources and accelerate economic growth is gaining traction.

Vietnam is pushing forward with administrative reforms, aiming to finalize commune-level restructuring by June 30 and provincial mergers by August 30, 2025.

Associate Prof Tran Duc Cuong, Chair of the Vietnam Historical Science Association, said that very small provinces should merge to create a larger province to gain more resources for infrastructure, socio-economic growth, and new development space.

The restructuring of Vietnam’s administrative system is designed to create a more agile, transparent, and economically dynamic government structure for the 21st century.

As Vietnam consolidates its administrative units, General Secretary To Lam emphasizes the need to screen leadership ranks, ensuring a competent and future-ready workforce.

Currently, Vietnam has 10,035 commune-level administrative units, which will be consolidated into approximately 2,000 larger communes, each operating similarly to a small district.

Ho Chi Minh City is developing a plan to merge administrative units and eliminate district-level government, aiming for a more efficient two-tier governance system.