Brian Jeffrey
On September 28, the National Assembly Standing Committee endorsed plans to restructure the administration in 13 provinces and cities. This initiative aims to combine 5 district-level and 186 commune-level units to enhance governance efficiency.
The provinces affected by this change include Bac Giang, Can Tho, Dak Lak, Dong Nai, Gia Lai, Khanh Hoa, Lao Cai, Ninh Thuan, Phu Yen, Quang Ninh, Thai Binh, Tien Giang, and Vinh Long.
Based on a condensed report from Minister of Home Affairs, Pham Thi Thanh Tra, Bac Giang will revise 4 out of its 10 district-level units, leading to the creation of 4 new districts. For instance, the Yen Dung district will merge into Bac Giang city, with adjustments in the boundaries of Luc Ngan and Son Dong districts to form a new town named Chu.
Additionally, Bac Giang will reorganize 34 of its 209 commune-level units to produce 17 new units, which includes 16 wards and 2 towns from 18 current units. The total number of district-level units will remain unchanged, while the commune-level units will decrease by 17.
In Quang Ninh province, there will be a reorganization of 12 out of 177 commune-level units, resulting in 6 new units and the establishment of Dong Trieu city based on the existing Dong Trieu town, including 4 new wards from existing communes. The province will keep its 13 district-level units intact while reducing the commune-level ones by 6.
Other provinces will merely merge their commune-level units without changing district-level units. For instance, Can Tho city will reorganize 4 of its 83 commune-level units, resulting in 3 fewer units. Dak Lak will consolidate 11 out of 184 units, reducing by 4; Dong Nai will reorganize 22 out of 170 units, leading to 11 fewer units, with similar actions in the other listed provinces.
Overall, the government plans to restructure 5 district-level and 186 commune-level units to create 5 new district-level units and 99 new commune-level units across the 13 provinces and cities. This will maintain the current number of district-level units while reducing the commune-level units by 87.
This extensive administrative reform aims to make local governance more effective and better meet citizen needs. It also addresses the management of excess staff and resources to ensure optimal utilization.
All resolutions, except for Bac Giang’s, will begin implementation on November 1, 2023, while Bac Giang’s changes are set for January 1, 2025. This follows earlier amendments approved on July 23 for Nam Dinh, Soc Trang, and Tuyen Quang provinces.
