The Party Central Committee has agreed that, following administrative restructuring, Vietnam will have 34 provincial-level units (28 provinces and 6 centrally-run cities), and the number of commune-level units nationwide will be reduced by approximately 60–70%.

On the afternoon of April 12, the 11th Plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee concluded its three-day session at the Party Central Headquarters in Hanoi.

In his closing remarks, General Secretary To Lam stated that the Central Committee worked with urgency and high responsibility, engaging in democratic, direct, and candid discussions on a range of major and complex issues. The committee reached a high consensus on many important, core matters.

The Central Committee voted unanimously to pass the meeting’s resolution.

Speaking on behalf of the Politburo and Secretariat, the General Secretary praised the Central Committee’s proactive, scientific, innovative, decisive, and effective working spirit, as well as the thorough and focused preparation by the Secretariat, the Party Central Office, and relevant agencies.

Country to be reorganized into 28 provinces and 6 centrally-run cities

The Central Committee reached high consensus on proposals concerning continued organizational streamlining of the political system, administrative unit restructuring, and the reorganization of local government at two levels.

“This is a strategic decision without precedent, aimed at ensuring fast, stable, and sustainable national development, and at better serving the lives of the people,” the General Secretary affirmed.

The aim is to create a leaner, more effective government that shifts from passive management to proactive service, with the capacity to effectively implement Party policies during this era of development and prosperity.

This round of administrative restructuring is rooted in scientific, bold, and innovative principles, grounded in current realities and forward-looking - projected to meet the country's needs for at least the next 100 years. It seeks to form new economic, cultural, and social development spaces for long-term growth.

The restructured local government must be lean, efficient, and closer to the people. It must support modern governance, rapid and sustainable growth, and also strengthen national defense, security, and foreign relations. The plan emphasizes fostering the private economy, accelerating science and technology, and improving the quality of life for citizens.

Mass organizations and political-social unions entrusted by the Party and State will also be streamlined, eliminating overlap and redundancies in functions and duties.

The General Secretary emphasized that administrative reforms must be community-oriented and genuinely serve the people, in line with the principle of “the people as the root.” These organizations must become the Party’s extended arm to every household and citizen, while safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of members and the public.

The Party will retain unified leadership over organizational structure, personnel, and staffing across the political system, reinforcing transparency and accountability, and maintaining strong checks on power.

Corruption, waste, factionalism, and abuse of power during restructuring and public asset handling will be identified, prevented, and strictly addressed.

The Central Committee approved the model of two-tier local government: provincial level (including provinces and centrally-run cities), and commune level (communes, wards, and special districts).

After the merger, Vietnam will have 34 provincial-level units (28 provinces and 6 centrally-run cities), with administrative centers and names determined according to proposed criteria.

District-level government units will be abolished after the National Assembly amends the 2013 Constitution and the Law on Local Government Organization in 2025.

The number of commune-level administrative units will be reduced by approximately 60–70% nationwide.

The Party will establish corresponding Party organizations at the provincial and commune levels, ending district-level Party committees. All actions will follow the Party Charter and Central Committee regulations.

More powers for the commune level

Under the new model, provinces will not only implement national policies but also issue localized regulations and directly oversee commune-level governance.

Communes will carry out policies from the central and provincial governments, while also gaining expanded authority to issue legal documents for implementing laws and addressing local matters.

Photo caption: Closing session of the 11th Plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee. Photo: VNA

The Central Committee approved proposals to merge and streamline the Vietnam Fatherland Front, political-social organizations, and people’s associations at all levels. It also agreed to end operations of certain unions such as the civil service union and armed forces union, while reducing union fees for public employees and workers.

Additionally, it approved continued restructuring of the court and prosecution system, eliminating high-level and district-level People’s Courts and People’s Procuracies. Vietnam will adopt a three-level system: Supreme People’s Court and Procuracy; provincial-level courts and procuracies; and regional units. The military court and procuracy system will remain unchanged.

Constitutional amendments to be completed by June 30

The Central Committee agreed on the need to amend the Constitution and relevant laws to support the restructuring of local government and political-social organizations.

These changes must be completed before June 30 and take effect from July 1, with a clear transitional period to ensure seamless operations and alignment with the restructuring timeline.

The Central Committee called on the National Assembly, Government, and relevant agencies to coordinate effectively to implement these institutional reforms.

Tran Thuong