Quyết định 759/QĐ-TTg năm 2025 phê duyệt Đề án sắp xếp, tổ chức lại đơn vị hành chính các cấp và xây dựng mô hình tổ chức chính quyền địa phương 02 cấp do Thủ tướng Chính phủ ban hành

DECISION

ON APPROVAL OF THE SCHEME ON REARRANGEMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS AT ALL LEVELS AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE TWO-TIER LOCAL GOVERNMENT MODEL

PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated February 18, 2025;

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of Local Governments dated February 19, 2025;

Pursuant to Resolution No. 60-NQ/TW dated April 12, 2025 of the 11th Conference of the 13th Party Central Committee;

At the request of the Minister of Home Affairs,

HEREBY DECIDES:

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Article 2. This Decision shall come into force as of the date of signing.

Article 3. Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of Governmental agencies, Presidents of the People�s Committees of provinces and centrally-affiliated cities, and relevant organizations and agencies shall be held accountable for the implementation of this Decision./.

PP. PRIME MINISTER
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER




Nguyen Hoa Binh

SCHEME

ON REARRANGEMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS AT ALL LEVELS AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE TWO-TIER LOCAL GOVERNMENT MODEL
(Enclosed with Decision No. 759/QD-TTg dated April 14, 2025 of the Prime Minister)

Part One

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I. NECESSITY OF DEVELOPING THE SCHEME

1. The division of territorial administrative divisions in all countries is based on certain criteria and characteristics relating to natural geography, socio-economic conditions, population factors, history, and culture.  In the context of developing a socialist-oriented market economy, building the socialist rule-of-law State of Viet Nam, and deep international integration, it is necessary to expand and ensure spatial unity, interconnection of resources, and rational, economical, and efficient allocation and utilization of national development resources. The development of a modern, effective, and efficient national governance system involving multiple actors, based on information technology and digital transformation, has been changing the role of local government levels. Transport infrastructure and information technology infrastructure have been increasingly developed, enabling effective connections between the government and the people, and the business community; the spatial distance between the government and the people and enterprises is becoming less meaningful in terms of geography, and the administrative boundaries between administrative divisions are also less significant.  Therefore, rational organization oriented towards long-term stability of administrative divisions at all levels plays an important role in ensuring the performance, effectiveness, and efficiency of the local government apparatus, promoting the potential and advantages of each locality and region in particular and of the entire country in general.

2. Local government in our country has been formed and developed in association with the organization of a three-tier administrative division system (province, district, commune) consistently maintained since the founding of the country, fundamentally ensuring the inheritance, preservation, and promotion of traditional, historical, and cultural values of each administrative division. Especially in the context of the country beginning the renovation process and international integration, with many fluctuations in the international political situation,  difficult socio-economic conditions, and inadequate technical infrastructure, the organization of local government according to the three-tier administrative division model and the tendency to subdivide administrative divisions aimed to facilitate population management, planning, and socio-economic development in each administrative division, enable disadvantaged, remote, and isolated areas to be prioritized for resource allocation for development, while ensuring the capacity of superior State agencies to inspect and supervise subordinate State agencies.

3. However, the subdivision of administrative divisions and the implementation of the three-tier local government model have generated numerous shortcomings, dispersing resources and failing to fully leverage the development potential and advantages of localities; increasing the number of administrative divisions at all levels, thereby increasing the number of agencies and organizations of the Party, mass organizations, and government, increasing the number of officials within the local political system, resulting in a cumbersome and multi-layered local government apparatus in particular and the political system at all levels in general, causing waste of the State budget and development investment resources. The tasks and powers between local government levels have overlapped and duplicated among the province-level, district-level, and commune-level (with some tasks performed by all three levels, some by province-level and district-level, and others by district-level and commune-level). The local government at the district level mainly plays an intermediary role in implementing policies, laws, and guidance documents from the province-level down to the commune-level.

4. In the context where the State apparatus is promoting digital transformation, building a digital government and a digital society, many traditional administrative activities have been digitalized and implemented online. Digital transformation associated with the transformation of procedures for handling administrative procedures on electronic platforms and provision of online public services enables administrative procedures to be resolved regardless of administrative boundaries, creating convenience for people and businesses and ensuring the inspection and supervision by superior State agencies. At the same time, the restructuring of internal processes and electronic procedures in handling administrative tasks helps simplify the procedures and workflows of officials, contributing to increased productivity and work efficiency. Many intermediate management tasks have been replaced by electronic software systems, enabling more efficient operations without the need for many administrative organizations and staffing quotas.

5. Based on the practical experience in organizing administrative divisions at all levels over the past period and the positive results of the rearrangement of district-level and commune-level administrative divisions during 2019 - 2021 and 2023 - 2025, the Politburo and the Secretariat issued Conclusion No. 126-KL/TW dated February 14, 2025 and Conclusion No. 127-KL/TW dated February 28, 2025, in which they requested to �Study the orientation for merging certain province-level administrative divisions, not organizing the district level, merging certain commune-level administrative divisions; implementing the two-tier local model (including the Party organization, government, and mass organizations) to ensure compactness, performance, effectiveness, and efficiency.�

From the above grounds, in order to further implement the Party�s policy under the 13th National Congress Resolution, Resolution No. 18-NQ/TW, Resolution No. 27-NQ/TW, Conclusion No. 126-KL/TW, and Conclusion No. 127-KL/TW of the Politburo and the Secretariat, and to meet the requirements of local governance in the new era of the country and the nation in line with global trends, the development of the �Scheme on rearrangement of administrative divisions at all levels and development of the two-tier local government model� is necessary.

II. BASIS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE SCHEME

1. Political basis

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1.2. Resolution No. 18-NQ/TW dated October 25, 2017 of the 6th Conference of the 12th Party Central Committee identified: �From 2021 to 2030, basically complete the consolidation and streamlining of district-level, commune-level administrative divisions, and villages and neighborhoods in accordance with prescribed standards.�

1.3. Resolution No. 27-NQ/TW dated November 9, 2022 of the 6th Conference of the 13th Party Central Committee on continuing to build and improve the socialist rule-of-law State of Viet Nam in the new period stated: �Continue the rearrangement of district-level and commune-level administrative divisions; study the pilot implementation of rearrangement of province-level administrative divisions in accordance with the overall planning of the country�s and each locality�s administrative divisions.�

1.4. Resolution No. 06-NQ/TW dated January 24, 2022 of the Politburo on planning, building, managing, and sustainably developing Vietnamese urban areas to 2030, with a vision to 2045, set the goal: �The urbanization rate by 2025 shall reach at least 45%, and by 2030 exceed 50%�; �Study, rearrange, merge, and establish new urban administrative divisions to ensure comprehensiveness, consistency, compliance with planning, and development requirements.�

1.5. Conclusion No. 126-KL/TW dated February 14, 2025 of the Politburo and the Secretariat on certain tasks to continue streamlining the organizational apparatus of the political system in 2025 instructed: �Study the orientation for further rearrangement to remove the intermediate administrative level (district level); develop plans to continue rearranging the commune level in accordance with the new organizational model; propose the organizational structure, functions, tasks, powers, and responsibilities of the commune level; set the orientation to merge certain province-level administrative divisions; propose policies to amend and supplement relevant laws and regulations of the Party, and report to the Politburo in the third quarter of 2025.�

1.6. Conclusion No. 127-KL/TW dated February 28, 2025 of the Politburo and the Secretariat on researching and proposing the continued rearrangement of the political system�s organizational apparatus stated: �Assign the Party Committee of the Government to lead and coordinate with the Party Central Organization Commission, the Party Committee of the National Assembly, the Party Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, central mass organizations, and relevant agencies to direct the research and development of the scheme and the submission to the Politburo on merging certain province-level administrative divisions, not organizing the district level, and continuing the merger of commune-level administrative divisions.�.

2. Legal basis

2.1. The Constitution 2013 provides regulations on the organization of administrative divisions (Article 110) and local government in administrative divisions (Article 111).

2.2. The Law on Organization of Local Government 2025 concretizes provisions on the organization of a three-tier administrative division system: province level, district level, and commune level; principles of organizing administrative divisions; principles and conditions for establishment, merger, separation, and adjustment of administrative boundaries; and the organization and operation of local government in administrative divisions.

2.3. Resolution No. 1211/2016/UBTVQH13 dated May 25, 2016 of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on criteria for administrative divisions and classification of administrative divisions (amended by Resolution No. 27/2022/UBTVQH15 dated September 21, 2022) stipulates the criteria of each administrative division according to indicators of natural area, population size, number of subordinate administrative divisions, structure, level of socio-economic development, and specific criteria (mountainous areas, highlands, areas with large ethnic minority populations, border areas, urban areas, etc.).

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2.5. Sectoral plans, regional plans, provincial plans, urban and rural plans, and socio-economic development strategies of each locality approved by competent authorities.

3. Practical basis

3.1. The process of formation and development of administrative divisions and the organization of local government in Viet Nam over different periods.

3.2. The results and lessons learned from the rearrangement of district-level and commune-level administrative divisions during 2019�2021 and 2023�2025.

3.3. The results of reviewing the number of administrative divisions at all levels; data on natural area, population size, structure, and level of socio-economic development according to the 2024 statistical yearbook; the results of classification of administrative divisions and urban classification; and the specific factors related to history, traditions, culture, ethnicity, religion, beliefs, customs, geographical and natural conditions, communities, scale, level of economic development, and requirements for ensuring national defense, security, social order, and safety in each locality.

3.4. The preliminary review results of three years implementing the urban government model in Hanoi City, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang City (Reports No. 591/BC-CP, 592/BC-CP, and 593/BC-CP dated October 22, 2023 of the Government).

3.5. The capacity and conditions for performing duties of the contingent of officials and employees in the local government apparatus, and the level of digital transformation and building of e-government in localities in recent times.

III.  PROCESS OF DEVELOPING THE SCHEME

1. Establishment of the Task Group under the Central Steering Committee for the review of the implementation of Resolution No. 18-NQ/TW (on rearrangement of administrative divisions and development of the local government organizational model).

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3. Receipt of directions and conclusions of the Politburo and the Secretariat; finalization of the Scheme dossier; submission to collect opinions of the Provincial Party Committees, Municipal Party Committees under the Central Government, and the Party Committees, ministries, and central agencies.

4. Study and incorporation of opinions of the Provincial Party Committees, Municipal Party Committees under the Central Government, and the Party Committees, ministries, and central agencies; finalization of the Scheme dossier for reporting to the Politburo and the Secretariat.

5. Receipt of directions and conclusions of the Politburo and the Secretariat; finalization of the Scheme dossier submitted to the Politburo and the Party Central Committee for consensus on implementation policy.

6. Based on Resolution No. 60-NQ/TW of the 11th Conference of the 13th Party Central Committee, finalization of the Scheme submitted to the Prime Minister for approval.

Part two

VIEWPOINTS, OBJECTIVES, PLANS FOR REARRANGEMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS AT ALL LEVELS AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE TWO-TIER LOCAL GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONAL MODEL

I. DOMESTIC AND GLOBAL CONTEXT

1. Global context

1.1. The world is undergoing tremendous transformations with developments that are very rapid, complex, and unpredictable. Globalization is changing how the State�s management role and the administrative apparatus at all levels are defined. Some trends that many countries are moving towards and studying include the �developmental State� model, expanding local self-governance, building a professional, effective State administrative apparatus with sufficient capacity and authority, and quickly adapting to regional and global changes.  The trends in national and local governance emphasize results and management efficiency, promote delegation and devolution, apply elements of market mechanisms and corporate governance methods to socialize certain State activities of a public service nature, focus on networks and partnerships, highlight consensus and the interests of stakeholders (the State, businesses, domestic and international organizations), and implement reporting and accountability in administrative relations.

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2. Domestic context

2.1. After nearly 40 years of renovation, the country�s position, strength, comprehensive national power, international prestige, and people�s trust have been increasingly enhanced, creating important foundations for building and defending the Fatherland. The scale, potential, and competitiveness of the economy have improved, and economic autonomy has been strengthened. Politics and society remain stable, while the fields of culture, society, environment, national defense, security, and foreign affairs have received attention and recorded many positive changes. The organization and operation of local government at all levels have undergone significant reforms and innovations to meet the practical requirements of the country and each locality. However, industrialization, modernization, urbanization, and international integration have led to uneven development among localities, putting significant pressure on infrastructure development, social security, employment solutions, social issues, especially environmental pollution management, etc.

2.2. Delegation and devolution are inevitable trends in State governance. Promoting delegation and devolution is a consistent policy of the Party, which has been enshrined in the Constitution and concretized into laws and sub-law documents. As a result, localities have gradually improved their autonomy in managing and utilizing local resources and developed management mechanisms more suited to their socio-economic characteristics. However, delegation and devolution remain incomplete, administrative procedures are still cumbersome, responsibilities are unclear, and there is no synchronized adjustment of functions, tasks, authority, and activities among government levels, causing bottlenecks and reducing management and operational effectiveness.

2.3. The process of building and improving the socialist rule-of-law State led by the Party requires increasing citizen participation in State management. In practice, citizen participation still faces many difficulties and limitations, mainly due to incomplete and insufficient awareness among society and managers, as well as legal regulations that are neither strong enough nor clear enough to oblige State agencies, especially representative bodies (People�s Councils), to fulfill the tasks entrusted by the people. There are also no effective mechanisms for people to oversee this delegation of authority, and no appropriate, effective forms and methods to ensure citizen participation becomes substantive.

2.4. The process of digital transformation and building e-government and digital government, with the goal of turning Viet Nam into a stable and prosperous digital nation pioneering the trial of new technologies and models, fundamentally and comprehensively transforming the management and operation of the Government, local authorities, business activities of enterprises, and working methods of citizens, and developing a safe, widespread digital environment, is a development policy priority and is directly impacting the organization and operation of the State apparatus from the central to local government levels.

1. Thoroughly grasp the Party�s viewpoints on reform, rearrangement, and streamlining of the organizational apparatus to build a political system that is Compact � Lean � Strong � High-performing � Effective � Efficient; ensure the principle that the Party has unified leadership over the reform, rearrangement, and management of the political system�s organizational apparatus.

2. The merger of province-level administrative divisions, the organization of a two-tier local government, and the rearrangement of commune-level administrative divisions must ensure comprehensiveness, consistency, and unity within the political system. The implementation process must be cautious, careful, scientific, and conducted in a proper, rigorous, and effective manner in compliance with the Constitution and laws.

3. Harmoniously combine continuity and stability with renovation and development; have a long-term vision to ensure lasting stability; promote the potential and advantages, expand the development space of localities, meet the objectives and requirements of the country�s socio-economic development strategy in the new period; serve as a basis to promote delegation, devolution, and strengthen the autonomy and self-responsibility of local governments; ensure commune-level government is close to the people, connected with the people, and provides the best service to citizens.

4. Ensure unified awareness throughout the entire political system and consensus among the people.

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2. The highest goal is set as national development and expansion of development space for newly established administrative divisions, promoting the leading role of dynamic regions, economic corridors, and growth poles; prioritizing the rearrangement of mountainous and lowland administrative divisions with those having sea areas; harmoniously and reasonably combining adjacent administrative divisions in line with development orientation to support one another, jointly promote the economic development of administrative divisions after rearrangement and meet the objectives and orientation for rapid, sustainable national development in the new period. Priority shall be given to allocating free trade zones, industrial zones and clusters, urban areas, seaports, logistics centers, reservoirs, hydroelectric dams, etc. within the boundaries of a single commune-level administrative division to facilitate State management.

3. Terminate the operations of district-level administrative divisions and rearrange and organize commune-level administrative divisions into new commune-level administrative divisions, ensuring compactness and reduction of intermediate levels; build and strengthen commune-level local government that is strong, close to the people, and effectively improves the material and spiritual life of citizens.

1. Principles for determining names

1.1. Naming of administrative divisions after rearrangement must be carefully studied and considered with due attention to historical, cultural, and traditional factors.

1.2. Priority shall be given to using one of the names of the administrative divisions before merger to name the newly established administrative division, minimizing impacts on citizens and enterprises regarding document changes and geographical indications related to province-level administrative divisions.

1.3. The names of new administrative divisions need to be easily identifiable, concise, easy to read and remember, ensure systematization and scientific consistency, promote the comparative advantages of localities, and be appropriate to integration trends.

1.4. Local Party committees and governments shall unify their understanding and be responsible for creating consensus among all segments of the local population; contribute to preserving and promoting historical, traditional, and cultural values and the spirit of solidarity of the people towards the newly established administrative divisions after rearrangement.

1.5. Naming of communes and wards should be studied based on ordinal numbers or the names of former district-level administrative divisions (before rearrangement) combined with ordinal numbers to facilitate digitalization and information data updates.

The names of new communes and wards after rearrangement must not duplicate the names of existing administrative divisions of the same level within the province, centrally-affiliated city, or the province and centrally-affiliated city planned to be established under the approved orientation for rearrangement of province-level administrative divisions.

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2.1. Select the administrative-political center of one of the current administrative divisions as the administrative-political center of the new administrative division to enable local government to quickly operate stably.

2.2. The administrative-political center of the new administrative division must have a favorable geographical location and synchronous socio-economic infrastructure, especially developed transportation systems (airports, roads, ports, etc.), ensuring convenient connection with intra-provincial and urban areas, major national economic centers, or maritime spaces.

2.3. The administrative-political center of the new administrative division must have space for future development; be consistent with the socio-economic development orientation of the new administrative division, ensuring harmony and balance, avoiding disparities among localities after the merger, and maintaining national defense and security.

After the new administrative division enters stable operation, planning and construction of new administrative-political centers may be studied appropriately in line with general development trends of the locality and creation of new development space.

2.4. Local Party committees and governments shall unify their understanding and be responsible for creating consensus among all segments of the local population.

3. Criteria and plans for rearrangement and merger of province-level administrative divisions

3.1. Criteria

Based on the study of historical formation and development, the process of rearrangement of administrative divisions at all levels in Viet Nam, scientific foundations of constituent factors of province-level administrative divisions, and international experience, the following six criteria are proposed:

3.1.1. Natural area

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a) Provinces in mountainous and highland areas: natural area under 8,000 km�;

b) Provinces in lowland areas: natural area under 5,000 km�.

Standard when applying specific factors (rural administrative divisions in the Red River Delta have a minimum natural area standard equal to 70% of the standard for corresponding rural administrative divisions): natural area under 3,500 km�.

c) Centrally-affiliated cities: natural area under 1,500 km�.

Rearrangement shall be carried out for administrative divisions with population size not meeting 100% of the standards of province-level administrative divisions prescribed in Resolution No. 1211/2016/UBTVQH13 of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly (as amended by Resolution No. 27/2022/UBTVQH15), specifically:

a) Provinces in mountainous and highland areas: population under 900,000;

Standard when applying specific factors (provinces in mountainous and highland areas with 30% or more ethnic minority population have a minimum standard equal to 50% of the prescribed level): population under 450,000.

b) Provinces in lowland areas: population under 1,400,000;

Standard when applying specific factors: (lowland provinces with land borders and 30% or more ethnic minority population have a minimum standard equal to 50% of the prescribed level): population under 700,000.

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Standard when applying specific factors in cases where both of the following elements exist: (1) having tangible cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO; (2) determined as an international tourism center in approved planning: minimum standard is 50% of the prescribed level:  population under 500,000.

3.1.4. Geo-economic criteria: Province-level administrative divisions have adjacent geographical locations, natural conditions, transportation infrastructure, distribution and organization of economic spaces, and scale and level of economic development suitable to maximize the development potential and advantages of each locality, supporting one another to promote overall socio-economic development of administrative divisions after rearrangement.

3.1.5. Geo-political criteria: Careful consideration shall be given to factors such as the qualifications and management capacity of local Party committees and governments, the level of digital transformation, and the application of information technology by local governments and citizens.

3.1.6. National defense and security criteria: The rearrangement of province-level administrative divisions must ensure national defense and security, particularly the construction of solid defense areas in key areas, islands, archipelagos, and border regions.

In cases where the rearrangement of province-level administrative divisions aligns with the orientation approved by competent authorities and satisfies the above criteria, other conditions and standards under the Law on Organization of Local Government and resolutions of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on criteria and classification of administrative divisions shall not be considered or assessed.

3.2. Plan for rearrangement and merger of province-level administrative divisions

Based on the six criteria mentioned above and the orientations of the Politburo and the Secretariat in Conclusion No. 127-KL/TW dated February 28, 2025, Conclusion No. 130-KL/TW dated March 14, 2025, and Conclusion No. 137-KL/TW dated March 28, 2025, the Government has thoroughly and multidimensionally studied, with innovative thinking and strategic vision, the plan for rearrangement and merger of province-level administrative divisions to be submitted to the Politburo and the Party Central Committee for approval, with the following specific orientations:

3.2.1. Number of province-level administrative divisions subject to rearrangement

a) A total of 52 province-level administrative divisions will be rearranged, including 04 centrally-affiliated cities: Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Can Tho and 48 provinces: Ha Nam, Hung Yen, Vinh Phuc, Bac Ninh, Thai Binh, Hai Duong, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Bac Kan, Thai Nguyen, Phu Tho, Bac Giang, Hoa Binh, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Ha Giang, Ninh Thuan, Quang Tri, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Ngai, Khanh Hoa, Dak Nong, Tay Ninh, Binh Duong, Binh Thuan, Binh Phuoc, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Bac Lieu, Vinh Long, Hau Giang, Tra Vinh, Tien Giang, Soc Trang, Dong Thap, An Giang, Long An, Ca Mau, Quang Nam, Binh Dinh, Dak Lak, Dong Nai, Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Lam Dong and Kien Giang.

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3.2.2. Specific plan for rearrangement of 52 province-level administrative divisions

(1) Merge Ha Giang province and Tuyen Quang province into a new province named Tuyen Quang, with the administrative-political center located in Tuyen Quang city, current Tuyen Quang province (reducing by 01 province), with a natural area of 13,795.6 km� and a population of 1,731,600.

(2) Merge Lao Cai province and Yen Bai province into a new province named Lao Cai, with the administrative-political center located in Yen Bai city, current Yen Bai province (reducing by 01 province), with a natural area of 13,257 km� and a population of 1,656,500.

(3) Merge Bac Kan province and Thai Nguyen province into a new province named Thai Nguyen, with the administrative-political center located in Thai Nguyen city, current Thai Nguyen province (reducing by 01 province), with a natural area of 8,375.3 km� and a population of 1,694,500.

(4) Merge Hoa Binh province, Vinh Phuc province and Phu Tho province into a new province named Phu Tho, with the administrative-political center located in Viet Tri city, current Phu Tho province (reducing by 02 provinces), with a natural area of 9,361.4 km� and a population of 3,663,600.

(5) Merge Bac Giang province and Bac Ninh province (planned to become a centrally-affiliated city by 2030) into a new province named Bac Ninh, with the administrative-political center located in Bac Giang city, current Bac Giang province (reducing by 01 province), with a natural area of 4,718.6 km� and a population of 3,509,100.

(6) Merge Thai Binh province and Hung Yen province into a new province named Hung Yen, with the administrative-political center located in Hung Yen city, current Hung Yen province (reducing by 01 province), with a natural area of 2,514.8 km� and a population of 3,208,400.

(7) Merge Hai Duong province and Hai Phong city into a new centrally-affiliated city named Hai Phong, with the administrative-political center located in Thuy Nguyen city, current Hai Phong city (reducing by 01 province), with a natural area of 3,194.7 km� and a population of 4,102,700.

(8) Merge Ha Nam province, Nam Dinh province and Ninh Binh province (planned to basically meet the criteria for a centrally-affiliated city by 2030) into a new province named Ninh Binh, with the administrative-political center located in Hoa Lu city, current Ninh Binh province (reducing by 02 provinces), with a natural area of 3,942.6 km� and a population of 3,818,700.

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(10) Merge Quang Nam province and Da Nang city into a new centrally-affiliated city named Da Nang, with the administrative-political center located in Hai Chau district, current Da Nang city (reducing by 01 province), with a natural area of 11,859.6 km� and a population of 2,819,900.

(11) Merge Kon Tum province and Quang Ngai province into a new province named Quang Ngai, with the administrative-political center located in Quang Ngai city, current Quang Ngai province (reducing by 01 province), with a natural area of 14,832.6 km� and a population of 1,861,700.

(12) Merge Gia Lai province and Binh Dinh province into a new province named Gia Lai, with the administrative-political center located in Quy Nhon city, current Binh Dinh province (reducing by 01 province), with a natural area of 21,576.5 km� and a population of 3,153,300.

(13) Merge Ninh Thuan province and Khanh Hoa province (planned to become a centrally-affiliated city by 2030) into a new province named Khanh Hoa, with the administrative-political center located in Nha Trang city, current Khanh Hoa province (reducing by 01 province), with a natural area of 8,555.9 km� and a population of 1,882,000.

(14) Merge Dak Nong province, Binh Thuan province and Lam Dong province into a new province named Lam Dong, with the administrative-political center located in Da Lat city, current Lam Dong province (reducing by 02 provinces), with a natural area of 24,233.1 km� and a population of 3,324,400.

 (15) Merge Phu Yen province and Dak Lak province into a new province named Dak Lak, with the administrative-political center located in Buon Ma Thuot city, current Dak Lak province (reducing by 01 province), with a natural area of 18,096.4 km� and a population of 2,831,300.

(16) Merge Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, Binh Duong province and Ho Chi Minh City into a new centrally-affiliated city named Ho Chi Minh City, with the administrative-political center located in District 1, current Ho Chi Minh City (reducing by 02 provinces), with a natural area of 6,772.6 km� and a population of 13,608,800.

(17) Merge Binh Phuoc province and Dong Nai province into a new province named Dong Nai, with the administrative-political center located in Bien Hoa city, current Dong Nai province (reducing by 01 province), with a natural area of 12,737.2 km� and a population of 4,427,700.

(18) Merge Tay Ninh province and Long An province into a new province named Tay Ninh, with the administrative-political center located in Tan An city, current Long An province (reducing by 01 province), with a natural area of 8,536.5 km� and a population of 2,959,000.

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(20) Merge Ben Tre province, Vinh Long province and Tra Vinh province into a new province named Vinh Long, with the administrative-political center located in Vinh Long city, current Vinh Long province (reducing by 02 provinces), with a natural area of 6,296.2 km� and a population of 3,367,400.

 (21) Merge Tien Giang province and Dong Thap province into a new province named Dong Thap, with the administrative-political center located in My Tho city, current Tien Giang province (reducing by 01 province), with a natural area of 5,938.7 km� and a population of 3,397,200.

 (22) Merge Bac Lieu province and Ca Mau province into a new province named Ca Mau, with the administrative-political center located in Ca Mau city, current Ca Mau province (reducing by 01 province), with a natural area of 7,942.4 km� and a population of 2,140,600.

(23) Merge Kien Giang province and An Giang province into a new province named An Giang, with the administrative-political center located in Rach Gia city, current Kien Giang province (reducing by 01 province), with a natural area of 9,888.9 km� and a population of 3,679,200.

4. Criteria and plan for rearrangement of commune-level administrative divisions

4.1. Principles for rearrangement of commune-level administrative divisions

Based on the orientations of the Politburo and the Secretariat in Conclusion No. 127-KL/TW dated February 28, 2025, Conclusion No. 130-KL/TW dated March 14, 2025, Conclusion No. 137-KL/TW dated March 28, 2025, and Resolution No. 60-NQ/TW of the 11th Conference of the 13th Party Central Committee, the Government has thoroughly and multidimensionally studied and finalized with innovative thinking, thereby proposing the following principles for rearrangement and reorganization of current commune-level administrative divisions into new commune-level administrative divisions:

(1) Rearrange and reorganize current commune-level administrative divisions towards removing the intermediate level (district level), forming new commune-level administrative divisions, including communes, wards, and special zones (no longer maintaining administrative divisions of provincial cities, cities under centrally-affiliated cities, district-level towns, urban districts, suburban districts, or commune-level towns).

(2) Commune-level administrative divisions after rearrangement must ensure that the commune-level local government effectively manages the area, closely monitors the situation, stays close to the people, and serves citizens in the best way.

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(4) Convert existing island districts and island cities into commune-level administrative divisions called special zones. Accordingly, 11 special zones under provinces shall be established from 11 island districts (including  Van Don, Co To, Cat Hai, Truong Sa, Hoang Sa, Phu Quy, Kien Hai, Bach Long Vi, Con Co, Ly Son, and Con Dao). For Phu Quoc city of Kien Giang province, the competent authority has approved the policy of separating Tho Chau commune under Phu Quoc city to establish a separate district; accordingly, study the establishment of 02 special zones:  Phu Quoc and Tho Chau.

(5) In cases where rearrangement of commune-level administrative divisions changes the boundaries of the district-level administrative division to which the commune belongs, there is no requirement to consider conditions and standards or to carry out procedures for adjusting the boundaries of that district-level administrative division.

(6) No compulsory rearrangement shall be applied to commune-level administrative divisions located in isolated areas with difficult transport connections to adjacent administrative divisions or those with particularly important locations affecting national defense, security, and the protection of national sovereignty.

4.2. On standards for commune-level administrative divisions

Based on the study of historical formation and development, the process of rearrangement of administrative divisions at all levels in Viet Nam, the scientific foundations of constituent factors of province-level administrative divisions, international experience, and the model of commune-level local government under the new orientation, the criteria and standards for commune-level administrative divisions are proposed as follows:

Based on Resolution No. 60-NQ/TW and the above criteria, the provinces and centrally-affiliated cities are assigned to study and develop plans for rearrangement of commune-level administrative divisions in their respective areas to ensure proper implementation of the Central orientation and that commune-level local governments remain close to the people and serve them in the best way.

V. TWO-TIER LOCAL GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION

1. The plan for organizing the two-tier local government is as follows: (1) The provincial level includes provinces and centrally-affiliated cities; (2) The commune level includes communes, wards (in mainland areas), and special zones (in island areas). Accordingly, the district-level administrative division and commune-level town shall be abolished.

Local government

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Name of administrative division

Province

Province

Centrally-affiliated city

Commune

Commune

Ward

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1.1. Organization of province-level local government (provinces, centrally-affiliated cities)

1.1.1. Organizational structure: Basically remains as the current model of organization of province-level local government, specifically:

a) Province-level local government consists of the People�s Council and the People�s Committee;

b) The Provincial People�s Council shall establish three Committees: Legal Affairs Committee, Economic and Budgetary Committee, and Socio-Cultural Committee (for provinces with many ethnic minorities, the Ethnic Affairs Committee may also be established). The People�s Council of centrally-affiliated cities shall establish four Committees (Legal Affairs Committee, Economic and Budgetary Committee, Socio-Cultural Committee, and Urban Affairs Committee) in accordance with the Law on Organization of Local Government 2025.

c) The organization of specialized agencies under the Provincial People�s Committee shall be carried out in accordance with the Government�s regulations.

d) Integrate intact the agencies under the People�s Council, specialized agencies, and other administrative organizations under the People�s Committee of the newly established province-level administrative divisions after rearrangement.  For specialized agencies with specific characteristics under the People�s Council and the People�s Committee, the organization of such agencies shall be decided by the province-level local government in accordance with the Law on Organization of Local Government and the Government�s guidelines.

1.1.2. Staffing quotas of officials and employees at the province level

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1.1.3. Plan for arrangement of provincial-level leadership and management personnel

a) It is proposed that the Politburo assign the Party Central Organization Commission to advise and guide the arrangement and rearrangement of provincial-level leadership and management personnel (Party, mass organizations, Provincial People�s Council, Provincial People�s Committee, and specialized Committees of the Party and mass organizations) of localities after the merger, especially the appointment of heads and orientation of solutions for redundant deputy positions after the merger of provinces and cities.

b) The Government shall direct the Ministry of Home Affairs to guide the arrangement and placement of officials and employees of specialized agencies, other administrative organizations under the Provincial People�s Committee, and public sector entities. In the immediate term, the current number of officials and employees in agencies, organizations, and units shall be maintained; after these agencies stabilize their operations, the Ministry of Home Affairs shall coordinate with the Party Central Organization Commission to review, finalize job positions, and determine staffing for the localities for submission to competent authorities for allocation of staffing quotas for the entire political system in the localities.

1.1.4. Regimes and policies

 Salaries and position allowances currently enjoyed by officials and employees assigned to work in the newly established province-level administrative divisions after rearrangement shall be retained for 06 months. After this period, salaries and position allowances shall be implemented in accordance with the new legal regulations.

1.2. Organization of commune-level local government (communes, wards, special zones)

1.2.1. Organizational structure

a) Commune-level local government consists of the People�s Council and the People�s Committee.

b) The commune-level People�s Council shall establish 02 Committees: the Legal Affairs Committee and the Economic � Social Committee.

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- For commune-level administrative divisions remaining unchanged (not rearranged), specialized divisions may not be organized. The Government plans to appoint an additional Vice Chairperson of the People�s Committee and a number of officials for commune-level People�s Committees where specialized divisions are not established, and assigns the province-level local governments to decide specifically for each commune-level administrative division in their areas.

- In cases of merging 02 or more commune-level administrative divisions into a new commune-level administrative division, it is oriented to organize up to 04 specialized divisions and equivalent units under the commune-level People�s Committee.  The Provincial People�s Committee, based on socio-economic development conditions, natural area scale, population, and specific management characteristics of each commune-level administrative division, shall decide the number of specialized agencies of the commune-level People�s Committee to suit practical conditions and ensure streamlined, effective, and efficient operations in accordance with the Government�s guidelines.

d) The orientation for organizing 04 divisions and equivalent units with the following functions, tasks, and powers:

(1) Office of the People�s Council and the People�s Committee (advising on the performance of general tasks of the People�s Council and the People�s Committee at commune level)

- Advise and assist the People�s Council and the People�s Committee at commune level on: Programs and work plans of the People�s Council, its Standing Committee, the People�s Committee, and specialized agencies under the People�s Committee; advising on the activities of the Standing Committee of the People�s Council; directing and administering activities of the President of the People�s Committee; providing information, ensuring facilities and technical conditions to serve the activities of the People�s Council, the People�s Committee, and State agencies at commune level; performing internal administration of the Office.

- Advise and assist the commune-level People�s Committee in State management of: Law formulation and enforcement; monitoring law enforcement; reviewing and handling legal normative documents; legal dissemination and education; grassroots mediation, legal aid, adoption, civil status, authentication, management of law enforcement on administrative violations, and other judicial work; inspection, reception of citizens, settlement of complaints and denunciations as prescribed by law.

- Advise and assist the commune-level People�s Committee in State management of foreign affairs and border work (for commune-level administrative divisions with national borders on land, sea, and islands).

(2) Economic Division (for communes and special zones) or Economic, Infrastructure and Urban Division (for wards and Phu Quoc special zone)

- Economic Division (for communes and special zones): Advise and assist the People�s Committee in performing tasks in the fields of: Economic development, planning, investment, finance, budgeting; State non-budget financial funds; urban planning and development, urban infrastructure; handicrafts, commerce, services, tourism, cooperative economy; poverty reduction; land, water resources, mineral resources, environment; construction, transport; agriculture, forestry, salt production, irrigation, food safety regarding agricultural, forestry, fishery products, salt; development of household economy, rural farm economy, agricultural-forestry-fishery-salt cooperatives associated with trades and traditional rural villages; seas and islands (for commune-level administrative divisions with seas and islands); natural disaster prevention and control in the area.

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(3) Culture � Social Division

- Advise and assist the commune-level People�s Committee in State management of: Administrative organization, State career units; local government and administrative boundaries; officials, employees, and public service; associations, non-governmental organizations; emulation and commendation; clerical work and archives; youth; labor, wages; employment; social insurance; occupational safety and hygiene; people with meritorious services; gender equality; ethnic affairs, beliefs, and religions.

- Advise and assist the commune-level People�s Committee in State management of: Preschool education; general education (primary and lower secondary education); vocational education, continuing education.

- Advise and assist the commune-level People�s Committee in State management of: Culture; family; sports and physical training; advertising; post; telecommunications; information technology (excluding information security and cybersecurity); radio and television; press; publishing; grassroots information; external information; information infrastructure; science and technology; digital economy, digital society, and digital transformation.

- Advise and assist the commune-level People�s Committee in State management of: Preventive medicine; medical examination and treatment; rehabilitation; traditional medicine and pharmacy; reproductive health; medical equipment; pharmaceuticals; cosmetics; food safety; health insurance; population; social assistance; child protection and care; prevention and control of social evils (excluding drug detoxification and post-detoxification management).

(4) Public administration service center

- Advise and assist the commune-level People�s Committee in performing tasks relating to the development of e-government; organizing and implementing the single-window and inter-agency single-window mechanism in handling administrative procedures and providing public services directly to citizens and enterprises in the area.

- Coordinate with central State agencies organized vertically in the area to receive and return results of administrative procedures for citizens and enterprises in the area.

Note: For special zone local governments (island areas), the functions, tasks of divisions, and public services for citizens provided at the Public Administration Service Center shall be adjusted to match the tasks and powers of the special zone local government.

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The Government shall submit to the National Assembly at the 9th session of the 15th National Assembly the Law on Officials (amended), ensuring linkage of commune-level officials with the entire political system from central to local level. In the meantime, the Ministry of Home Affairs shall provide guidance on standards for commune-level local government officials.

1.2.3. Staffing quotas of commune-level officials, employees

Since the scale of commune-level administrative divisions is larger than at present and the tasks and powers of commune-level local governments increase (to perform all current tasks and powers of district-level and commune-level local governments), the Government plans the staffing quotas of commune-level officials, employees as follows:

 (1) In the immediate term, maintain the current total number of district-level officials, employees and commune-level officials prior to rearrangement for allocation to the new commune-level administrative divisions (after rearrangement). Review and streamline staffing in parallel with restructuring and improving the quality of commune-level officials, employees to meet task requirements, ensuring that within 05 years staffing shall basically comply with regulations. The Ministry of Home Affairs shall coordinate with the Party Central Organization Commission and relevant agencies, based on population size, natural area, functions, tasks, and powers of commune-level local government, to develop and finalize the staffing framework for submission to competent authorities for allocation to localities.

 (2) Terminate the use of part-time non-specialized personnel at commune level; local governments may consider arranging part-time personnel to perform tasks in villages and neighborhoods; implement policies on cessation of work for part-time personnel at commune level who are not assigned positions in accordance with regulations.

(3) Based on population size, natural area, and socio-economic development level of each commune-level administrative division, the Government shall determine the total commune-level staffing quota to be allocated to localities (provisionally an average of about 32 positions per commune-level division). The province-level local governments shall decide the specific number of positions allocated to each commune-level local government to suit practical requirements.

1.2.4. Regimes and policies

Salaries and position allowances currently enjoyed (if any) by officials assigned to work in newly established commune-level administrative divisions after rearrangement shall be retained for 06 months. After this period, salaries and position allowances shall be implemented in accordance with the new legal regulations.

1.3. For villages and neighborhoods under commune level

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1.4. For public sector entities

1.4.1. Maintain educational and healthcare public sector entities and transfer to commune-level local governments the management of lower secondary schools, primary schools, kindergartens, and commune health stations under the new commune-level administrative divisions to ensure healthcare services for citizens at the grassroots and adequate schooling for students in each commune-level area.

1.4.2. For other public sector entities, the Government shall direct and guide streamlining the organizational structure, ensuring the provision of multiple basic, essential public services in commune-level and inter-commune, ward areas.

1.5. On functions, tasks, and powers of province-level and commune-level local governments

For the province level (provinces, centrally-affiliated cities): It is the highest level in the local government system, directly under the direction of the central government. The province level has very important legal status, with functions, tasks, and powers covering a wide area of population (provinces, centrally-affiliated cities) with diverse characteristics, specificities, and management requirements. Therefore, it requires an appropriate organizational model with full functions, tasks, powers, and management and administration capacity, enabling the central government to manage all areas of social life across each province and city, ensuring effective implementation of uniform institutions, policies, and laws from central to local level nationwide. . Accordingly, the province level both implements policies (from the central government) and issues policies within the province or city.

For the commune level (communes, wards, special zones): It is the level of government closest to the people, closely connected with the citizens, directly representing the will, aspirations, rights, and interests of the people, and is also the place that directly organizes management activities, administers administrative affairs, and directly implements institutions, policies, and laws of the central government and the province-level local government in the commune-level territory. Accordingly, the functions, tasks, and powers of commune-level local government should be developed and prescribed mainly as the level implementing policies (from the central and province level), with competence to promulgate legal normative documents for organizing law enforcement and deciding matters under the authority of the commune level in the locality.

Based on the orientation to define the position, role, and functions of each level of local government (province level and commune level) mentioned above, serving as a basis to propose the identification and regulation of tasks and powers of the province-level and commune-level local governments as follows:

1.5.1. For province-level local government

In addition to the functions, tasks, and powers of province-level local government as currently prescribed, the Government will focus on directing ministries and ministerial-level agencies to review and propose amendments to the Law on Organization of Local Government and specialized laws to promote delegation and devolution to province-level local governments to perform a number of tasks and powers currently assigned to the Government, the Prime Minister, ministries, and ministerial-level agencies, ensuring conformity with the practical conditions and characteristics of each province or centrally-affiliated city, creating autonomy, creativity, self-reliance, and self-responsibility of province-level local government in line with the principle �localities decide, localities implement, localities take responsibility.� Accordingly, the province-level local government has the following 10 basic groups of tasks and powers:

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(2) Decide on long-term, medium-term, and annual socio-economic development strategies and plans; planning and development plans of sectors and fields in the locality as prescribed by law; issues related to two or more commune-level administrative divisions.

(3) Decide on estimates of State budget revenues in the locality; estimates of local budget revenues and expenditures and allocation of budget estimates at their level; adjust local budget estimates when necessary; approve final settlement of local budgets; decide on matters related to fees, charges, and borrowing of capital sources as prescribed by law.

(4) Decide on mechanisms, policies, and measures to develop the fields of finance, investment, science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, land, resources, environment, commerce, services, industry, agriculture, construction, transport, education, healthcare, administrative justice, internal affairs, labor, social affairs, culture, information, tourism, sports in the locality as prescribed by law.

(5) Decide on measures to implement policies on ethnicity and religion; measures to ensure the performance of national defense, security, public order, and foreign affairs tasks; measures to protect the property of agencies and organizations; to protect the life, freedom, honor, dignity, property, other lawful rights and interests of citizens; to ensure human rights; to prevent and combat corruption, negativity, wastefulness; to prevent and combat crimes and other law violations in the locality as prescribed by law.

(6) Based on the Party�s guidelines, decide to pilot special and specific policies not yet prescribed by law to promote socio-economic development in the locality after reporting to and obtaining permission from competent authorities.

(7) Decide on personnel matters of their level and the commune level under the authority for cadre management by competent agencies; promulgate regulations and rules under their competence on organizational methods and activities of agencies, organizations, and individuals under their management.

(8) Decide on the staffing quotas of officials in local government agencies at all levels within the staffing quotas assigned by competent authorities; decide on the total number of employees receiving salaries from the State budget in public sector entities under their management; decide on the total number and allowances for part-time personnel; decide on policies to value and attract talent, policies to attract and encourage officials, employees, and workers working in the locality in accordance with the conditions and budget capacity of the locality.

(9) Promulgate policies and legal normative documents on matters under their tasks and powers; annul, amend, and supplement institutions and policies they have issued when found to be no longer appropriate or contrary to law.

(10) Perform tasks and powers delegated and authorized by central State agencies; perform tasks and powers transferred from the current district-level local government which exceed the capacity of the commune-level government to implement.

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1.5.2. On the functions and tasks of commune-level local government (communes, wards, special zones)

Commune-level local government (communes, wards, special zones) shall perform functions, tasks, and powers directly relating to citizens, organizations, and enterprises in the area, as currently prescribed for both commune-level and district-level local governments. Accordingly, all current tasks and powers of district-level local government shall be transferred to commune-level local government. Based on the scale, conditions, and characteristics of each commune level and management capacity, commune-level local governments shall be delegated and devolved more powers from the central and province level according to their capacity and management requirements (especially for wards in major urban areas, Phu Quoc special zone, and large-scale communes).  Accordingly, commune-level local government has the following 07 basic groups of tasks and powers:

(1) Organize the implementation of the Constitution, laws, and documents of superior authorities in the area.

(2) Decide on finance and budget matters of their level within the commune-level area (excluding matters under the authority of the province level); have competence to promulgate legal normative documents; be entitled to receive financial and budget support from the central and province level to ensure public interest activities.

(3) Perform tasks in socio-economic development, agricultural development, community development, support for small enterprises, promotion of tourism and services sectors.

(4) Manage assets and infrastructure serving citizens in the area; manage preschools, primary schools, lower secondary schools, health stations, care for the elderly, child protection, social welfare; maintain local cultural traditions, manage cultural, sports, and recreational facilities.

(5) Provide essential public services for citizens such as water supply, wastewater and waste treatment, environmental sanitation, fire prevention and fighting in the area.

(6) Handle administrative procedures and provide public services directly to citizens in the area.

(7) Perform functions, tasks, and powers delegated and authorized by the province-level local government.

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3. Working relationships between province-level and commune-level local governments; vertical relationships from central to province and commune levels

3.1. Working relationships between province-level and commune-level local governments

The working relationship between the province level and the commune level in the two-tier local government model is a relationship of direction, guidance, support, coordination, and information and reporting mechanisms to ensure unity and effectiveness in State management at the local level, while promoting the initiative and creativity of the commune level in performing assigned tasks, specifically as follows:

a) Relationship of direction, administration vertically and relative independence of commune-level local government

- According to the provisions of the Constitution, the organization and operation of the State apparatus comply with the principle that State power is unified, the principle of democratic centralism, the form of State organization is a unitary State, and the territory is divided into administrative divisions. Therefore, the province-level government has the functions and tasks of managing and administering all fields of economy, society, security, national defense, etc. in the area of the province or city (including the commune level).

- In the two-tier local government model, the province level acts as the level directly directing and managing, administering the activities of the commune level within the province area, through the competence to promulgate resolutions, decisions, directives to direct, guide, administer, and inspect implementation by the commune level, ensuring that the activities of commune-level local government are consistent with the policies and guidelines of the central government and the resolutions and decisions of the People�s Council and People�s Committee of the province level.     

- Province-level local government inspects and supervises commune-level local government through the People�s Council of the province exercising oversight of the implementation of the Constitution and laws locally, overseeing the activities of the People�s Committee at the same level and the commune level as prescribed by law. The People�s Committee of the province exercises inspection and administrative inspection over commune-level local government to ensure the effectiveness, efficiency, and validity of State management within the administrative system. Inspection, supervision, and power control by province-level local government are also carried out through personnel work. Accordingly, the Standing Committee of the provincial People�s Council approves the election, dismissal, removal of the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the commune-level People�s Council; the Chairperson of the provincial People�s Committee approves the election, dismissal, removal, and decides on the transfer and dismissal of the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the commune-level People�s Committee. Through inspection, supervision, and power control by the province-level government over the implementation of laws, policies, and assigned tasks of the commune-level government, the operations of the commune level are ensured to be in the right direction and effective.

- The province-level government performs delegation and authorization of State management tasks to the commune-level government to promote dynamism, creativity, self-reliance, and self-responsibility of commune-level local government in managing and performing socio-economic development tasks in the area. The Law on Organization of Local Government 2025 contains a separate chapter on defining competence, devolution, delegation, and authorization of local governments at all levels in line with the requirements of the new context.

- Commune-level local government is the implementing level, with relative independence in deciding local matters in accordance with the policies and institutions of the central and province-level governments; performs State management of socio-economic matters in the locality as prescribed by law and is accountable to the province-level government. Commune-level local government must perform its tasks and powers under the Constitution, laws, documents of central State agencies, and documents of the province-level local government; is accountable to the province-level local government for its performance results, subject to supervision and inspection by the province-level government, and may be subject to measures such as suspension, annulment of unlawful documents, or dissolution if violating the law and causing damage to the interests of the State or the legitimate rights and interests of the people.

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- Professional and operational guidance: The province-level local government (through its specialized agencies) has the responsibility to guide commune-level local government on professional and operational matters in fields of State management locally, such as land, finance, budget, construction, culture, social affairs, etc., through activities of the specialized agencies under the provincial People�s Committee.

- Resource support:  The province-level local government supports commune-level local government in financial, human resources, and other necessary conditions to ensure the performance of socio-economic development tasks and ensure national defense, security, and public order locally.  Socio-economic development programs and projects implemented by the province-level government involve participation and benefit of commune-level local government.

- Capacity building: The province-level local government organizes training, capacity building, and professional development activities for commune-level officials to better meet work requirements in their areas.

c) Relationship of coordination

- Coordination in task performance: Province-level and commune-level local governments implement a mechanism of close coordination in performing common tasks, especially issues involving multiple fields or inter-commune or inter-ward nature, such as  disaster prevention, epidemic control, infrastructure construction, socio-economic development.

- In the process of formulating and issuing decisions and policies relating to the commune level, the province-level government shall consult the commune-level government to ensure feasibility and suitability with local conditions and characteristics.

d) Information and reporting regime

- Periodic and ad-hoc reporting: Commune-level local government has the responsibility to periodically and ad hoc report to province-level local government on the local socio-economic situation, national defense and security, and other matters.

- Two-way information: Province-level local government shall promptly and fully inform commune-level local government about new guidelines and policies, directives, instructions of higher levels, as well as information related to the development of the province, city, and the country. At the same time, province-level local government shall receive feedback from commune-level local government to understand the actual situation and adjust policies locally to suit practical conditions.

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3.2. Vertical working relationship from central to commune level (between central ministries, provincial departments, and commune-level specialized divisions)

When organizing the two-tier local government model, ensuring smooth, synchronous, interconnected, unified, effective, efficient, and impactful operation of the vertical working relationship from the central level to local governments is extremely important. This requires the new model (two levels) not only to streamline the apparatus horizontally (eliminating the intermediate level) but also to optimize processes and responsibilities vertically (from central to local). In the two-tier local government model, the central level must ensure the consistency, continuity, effectiveness, and efficiency of the entire State government system from the central to the local level. The central level (ministries) will play the role of orientation, direction, support, and control over province-level and commune-level local governments (through sectoral departments according to fields), but the mode and degree of intervention will differ by level.  The central level maintains a relationship of direction, control, and strategic support for the province level to ensure that the province operates in line with the Party�s viewpoints, orientations, and the policies and laws of the State.  For the commune level, the central role is adjusted to focus on creating the legal and policy framework and providing indirect support through the province level. The central level does not directly intervene in the routine operations of the commune level but mainly through direction, guidance, support, and control by the province level.

Based on that, in the two-tier local government model, the vertical working relationship from the central to the commune level is as follows:

a) Central ministries and sectors

Central ministries and sectors act as the highest State management authorities in their respective sectors nationwide. Regarding the vertical system down to the commune level, the roles of central ministries and sectors include:

- Propose competent authorities to establish legal and policy frameworks: Develop and promulgate legal normative documents, strategies, plans, and development master plans for sectors nationwide, as the legal and policy foundation for local governments to implement.

- Professional and operational orientation: Promulgate guidelines, procedures, professional and operational standards for the entire sector, ensuring consistency in sector management from the central to the commune level.

- Supervision and evaluation: Exercise the functions of inspection, examination, and supervision of the implementation of laws, policies, and sector regulations at all local levels, including province-level and commune-level local governments. Also, summarize and assess the effectiveness of sector activities nationwide.

- Support in resources and capacity: Provide financial support (through programs and projects), training, and capacity building for officials in the vertical system at local levels.

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Sectoral departments, agencies, and other organizations under province-level local government act as intermediaries, coordinators, and bridges between central ministries and sectors, province-level local government, and commune-level local government in the vertical system. Sectoral departments are under the professional guidance of the ministry managing the sector and under the direction and administration of the province-level People�s Committee and its Chairperson. The roles of sectoral departments and agencies under province-level local government are as follows:

- Concretize and implement central policies to suit local conditions and characteristics; develop provincial plans and action programs to implement those policies.

- Direct and guide professional operations for commune level, and for officials in charge of corresponding sectors.

- Inspect, supervise, and support commune level in implementing sector regulations and policies, while assisting commune level in resolving difficulties and obstacles in professional operations.

- Consolidate information and reporting from commune level on sector activities within the province, and consolidate and report to the central ministry and the provincial People�s Committee.

c) Vertical working relationship from central, province level to commune-level specialized agencies

- Relationship of professional and operational direction�compliance: Lower levels (sectoral departments, agencies under province-level and commune-level governments) comply with professional and operational direction and guidance from upper levels (central ministries and sectors).

- Relationship of guidance and inspection: Upper levels guide professional and operational work and inspect and supervise the implementation by lower levels to ensure consistency and effectiveness in sector activities.

- Two-way information relationship: Information flows from top down (policies, directives, guidance, etc.) and from bottom up (reports, feedback, proposals, etc.).

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In summary, in the two-tier local government model, the central level plays a decisive role in creating the legal framework, setting development orientations, promoting devolution and delegation of powers, coordinating power, providing resources, and supervising the operations of local governments (province level, commune level). However, for the province level, the central government maintains a direct, comprehensive relationship of direction, administration, and control. For the commune level, the central role is indirect, mainly through the province level, focusing on establishing general legal and policy frameworks and providing indirect support to enhance the autonomy and self-responsibility of local governments while ensuring unified leadership and consistent operation of the central government and the effective, synchronized operation of the entire State government system.

Part three

TASKS, SOLUTIONS AND ORGANIZATION OF IMPLEMENTATION

I. TASKS AND SOLUTIONS

1. Ensure strict compliance with the principles, objectives, and requirements under the Resolutions of the Party Central Committee, the Conclusions of the Politburo, the Secretariat, and the Central Steering Committee for summarizing Resolution No. 18-NQ/TW, ensuring an overall, synchronous rearrangement of the unified political system from the central to the local level, in a timely and effective manner.

3. Focus on effective propagation, advocacy, and ideological work so that Party members, officials, public employees, and citizens clearly understand the political tasks and benefits of rearranging and reorganizing administrative divisions and establishing the two-tier local government model, thereby creating high consensus during implementation. Party committees and local authorities need to listen to the opinions and aspirations of the people, officials, and public employees to build consensus; central agencies should pay closer attention to working with localities to grasp the situation and promptly address any arising difficulties and obstacles.

4. Urgently study, propose amendments, supplements, or promulgate new institutions, policies, and laws to simplify processes and procedures, facilitating implementation; pay special attention to completing mechanisms and policies appropriate for officials, public employees, and workers affected by the implementation of the Scheme after it is approved by the Party Central Committee.

5. The development and implementation of the two-tier local government model must be associated with fundamentally and comprehensively renewing the leadership methods of Party committees and the local political system, as well as the organizational methods and activities of local governments at all levels; clearly defining and distinguishing the position, role, functions, tasks, and powers of province-level and commune-level local governments; effectively implementing devolution and delegation between the central and province levels and between province and commune levels, to enhance the autonomy and self-responsibility of local governments; ensuring necessary conditions of finance, human resources, synchronous and smooth transport infrastructure, accelerating digital transformation, building e-government, digital government, digital society, and digital citizenship to promptly adapt to organizational and operational requirements of the two-tier local government model.

6. The rearrangement and reorganization of administrative divisions must, apart from relying on criteria regarding natural area, population scale, and socio-economic development level of each locality, also consider the important goal of expanding new development space, creating momentum for administrative divisions in relation to intra-regional and inter-regional linkages; thoroughly study the specific factors of history, tradition, culture, infrastructure connectivity conditions, and similarities between same-level administrative divisions to ensure long-term socio-economic development strategies and maximize convenience for people�s living, daily activities, and administrative transactions.

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8. Focus on providing guidance, inspection, supervision, and continuous monitoring of implementation at all levels to promptly address and resolve any difficulties and obstacles arising during the process; report to competent authorities for appropriate guidance in cases beyond their competence. In the period immediately following the rearrangement, attention should be paid to allocating necessary investment resources so that the new province-level and commune-level administrative divisions can soon stabilize organization and operations, establish an initial foundation to fulfill socio-economic development requirements, and ensure improvement of people�s living standards, thereby enabling people to see the immediate positive impacts and effectiveness of the rearrangement and establishment of the two-tier local government model.

II. ORGANIZATION OF IMPLEMENTATION

1. For central agencies

1.1. Request the Politburo to preside over the national conference to thoroughly communicate and implement to provincial Party Committees, municipal Party Committees, Party Commissions, and Party Committees of ministries and central agencies regarding the rearrangement and organization of the political system apparatus at local levels.

1.2. Request the National Assembly and the National Assembly Standing Committee:

a) Promptly consider and promulgate the Resolution of the National Assembly Standing Committee on the rearrangement of administrative divisions in 2025 as proposed by the Government, ensuring simplification of procedures, emphasizing the autonomy and self-responsibility of local governments, to be completed before April 15 2025;

b) Direct the urgent review, amendment, supplementation, or promulgation of new legal normative documents within the competence of the National Assembly (the Constitution, the Law on Organization of Local Government, the Law on Officials, the Law on Promulgation of Legal Normative Documents, the Resolution on handling certain issues related to rearrangement of administrative divisions, and relevant specialized laws...); promulgate resolutions on rearrangement of province-level and commune-level administrative divisions, to be completed before June 30 2025.

1.3. The Government:

a) Lead and direct closely and effectively the rearrangement and consolidation of province-level administrative divisions, the rearrangement and reorganization of commune-level administrative divisions (eliminating the district level), and the establishment of the two-tier local government model, ensuring progress and quality in accordance with the policy of the Politburo and the Party Central Committee.

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c) Direct the Ministry of Home Affairs to preside over and coordinate with relevant central ministries and agencies to guide provincial People�s Committees to develop the Scheme on rearrangement, consolidation of province-level administrative divisions, and rearrangement, reorganization of commune-level administrative divisions for submission to the Government, the National Assembly, and the National Assembly Standing Committee for consideration and decision within competence, to be completed before June 15 2025.

d) Direct ministries and ministerial-level agencies to proactively propose amendments, supplements, or new promulgation of legal normative documents related to the rearrangement and reorganization of administrative divisions and the establishment of the two-tier local government model (the Law on Organization of Local Government, the Law on Officials, the Law on Promulgation of Legal Normative Documents, specialized laws and decrees, circulars on the organizational structure, tasks, powers, and related issues of province-level and commune-level local governments) when the two-tier local government model is established, under the proposing or promulgating competence of the Government, ministries, or ministerial-level agencies, ensuring synchronization with the effective date of the National Assembly�s Resolution amending and supplementing certain provisions of the 2013 Constitution, avoiding any legal gaps so that province-level and commune-level local governments after rearrangement can operate continuously, smoothly, and promptly serve citizens and enterprises, to be completed before June 30 2025.

dd) Direct allocation of budget to support provinces and cities receiving balancing supplements from the central budget, ensuring conditions for the rearrangement of province-level and commune-level administrative divisions, with VND 100 billion for each reduced province-level unit and VND 500 million for each reduced commune-level unit.

e) Direct the Ministry of Home Affairs to preside over and coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to guide the rearrangement and reorganization of administrative divisions at all levels and the establishment of the two-tier local government model; regularly monitor, inspect, urge, conduct preliminary and final reviews, and periodically report to the Government for reporting to the Politburo, the Secretariat, the National Assembly, and the National Assembly Standing Committee.  Direct ministries, ministerial-level agencies, People�s Councils, and People�s Committees of provinces, within their functions, tasks, and powers, to develop plans and organize the implementation of the Resolution on the rearrangement of administrative divisions after promulgation by the National Assembly and the National Assembly Standing Committee. Promptly address within their competence or report to competent authorities to resolve difficulties and obstacles for localities during implementation.

Completion timeline:  June 30, 2025.

2. For provincial Party committees and municipal party committees of centrally-affiliated cities and provinces

2.1. Establish the Steering Committee for developing and implementing the Scheme on rearrangement and consolidation of province-level administrative divisions (for provinces and cities implementing mergers) and the reorganization of commune-level administrative divisions in accordance with the principles, standards, and orientations of the Central Government, ensuring that commune-level local government remains close to the people and best serves the people.

2.2. Focus on leadership and direction in thoroughly communicating and propagating the implementation of the Resolution of the Party Central Committee, the Conclusions of the Politburo, the Secretariat, and the directions of the Government and the Prime Minister on the rearrangement and reorganization of administrative divisions and the establishment of the two-tier local government model.  Develop extensive communication programs and plans for officials, Party members, officials, public employees, and all social strata to create consensus and unity in awareness and action during implementation.

2.3. Direct province-level People�s Committees to proactively and urgently develop the Scheme on rearrangement and reorganization of commune-level administrative divisions, ensuring compliance with the directions and orientations of the Central Government, for submission to the Government and subsequently to the National Assembly Standing Committee for consideration and decision. Province-level People�s Committees shall decide on the content, form, and timeline for organizing public consultations with citizens representing households in the locality in a manner appropriate to local practice, and submit through the People�s Councils at all levels before submission to the Government as prescribed.

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2.4. According to the assignment by the Government, the Provincial Party Committee or Municipal Party Committee identified as the administrative�political center of the new province-level administrative division shall take the lead and closely coordinate with relevant localities in developing the Scheme on rearrangement and consolidation of province-level administrative divisions according to the plan and roadmap approved by competent authorities for submission to the Government.

Completion timeline:  Before May 1, 2025.

2.5. Proactively direct and implement the rearrangement, streamlining, and consolidation of the organizational apparatus, and the arrangement of officials, public employees, and workers in close association with restructuring and improving the quality of the workforce in province-level and commune-level administrative divisions, as well as in agencies, organizations, and units when establishing the two-tier local government model. Ensure that local government at all levels after rearrangement and reorganization is stable, operates seamlessly, without any legal gaps or interruptions to the operations of each agency and unit within the local government system.  For provinces and cities undergoing rearrangement and consolidation, proactively develop solutions for arranging workplaces, official housing, and transport for officials, and public employees of the newly merged province or city./.