Vietnam to reduce provincial-level administrative units by 50%
The number of provincial-level administrative units in Vietnam will reduce by nearly 50% and the number of local-level units will drop by over 70%, according to a draft proposal on government streamlining.
The restructuring of administrative units aims to bring the government closer to people, streamline operations, and improve public services, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has said.
PM Chinh made the comment on Tuesday while chairing a session of the Government Party Committee’s Standing Board on the administrative reorganization and the shift to a two-tier local government model.
He underscored the significance of the restructuring in building a leaner, more efficient, and high-performing government. The initiative is expected to create room for development, unlock local potential, and boost competitiveness in alignment with current socio-economic conditions. It also reinforces the principles of self-reliance and resilience of local administrations at all levels.
The PM stressed that the restructuring must go beyond population and land size criteria, factoring in historical, cultural, and ethnic aspects, as well as geography, infrastructure, and economic development.
He emphasised that new provincial names should maintain historical continuity, while decisions on administrative and political centers should consider strategic factors such as connectivity, development potential, national defense, security, and global integration.
The leader also called for further refinement of the roles, responsibilities, and organizational structures of provincial administrations and commune-level People’s Committees to ensure efficiency, feasibility, and protection of public interests throughout the transition process.
Vietnam News Agency – March 11, 2025