The upcoming administrative restructuring set to commence on July 1 signifies a pivotal advancement in refining governmental processes. It also highlights an immediate necessity to adjust the nation’s planning frameworks, spanning from central to local governance.
With the implementation of provincial consolidations, existing regional and provincial plans will soon become outdated, requiring thorough revisions to direct the newly organized regions.
Experts caution that a disconnect between spatial planning and these administrative changes could hinder growth and regional integration.
Tran Ngoc Chinh, head of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association, believes that these mergers present a valuable opportunity to reshape national development areas.
“Planning should transcend administrative limits and focus on functional relationships involving growth corridors, economic districts, and interconnected areas,” he remarked. “It is essential to foresee future developments to harness the potential of these new structures.”
A significant aspect of this reform is the “seaward orientation” initiative. With almost two-thirds of the newly formed provinces gaining access to the coast, Vietnam’s shoreline is expected to become a key element of sustainable growth.
For instance, Ho Chi Minh City’s merger with Ba Ria – Vung Tau will enable the city to directly oversee the Cai Mep – Thi Vai international port cluster, solidifying its position within the southern marine economic zone.
Urban researcher Tran Huu Phuc Tien observed that Ho Chi Minh City will experience a significant increase in coastline, expanding from 27 km in Can Gio to over 350 km following the merger, which includes Con Dao Island and most of the Saigon River. This extension elevates the city’s importance as a high-tech, service-driven coastal urban center.
“The union of Ho Chi Minh City with Binh Duong and Ba Ria – Vung Tau holds transformative potential,” he noted. “However, achieving this requires innovative planning approaches suitable for a large coastal metropolis, emphasizing integrated infrastructure, governance, and public services.”
He stressed the need for cohesive, long-term planning involving experts from urban development, economics, and public policy.
As Ho Chi Minh City extends towards the sea, the northern industrial hub of Hai Phong is also making significant planning changes. Its merger with Hai Duong aims to establish a modern metropolitan area characterized by high connectivity.
Chu Ngoc Ha, head of the Hai Phong Urban Planning Institute, described the merger as a intricate endeavor that necessitates a comprehensive revision of regional planning to support balanced development between the two distinct regions.
Hai Phong contributes advanced port facilities and maritime capabilities, while Hai Duong offers urban growth potential and substantial land resources.
The merger must extend beyond mere boundary adjustments to develop a cohesive spatial vision addressing infrastructure, population, and economic cooperation while safeguarding cultural heritage and promoting advancement.
Mr. Ha underscored the significance of regional transportation infrastructure in establishing a genuine metropolitan area. Hai Phong is collaborating with the Ministry of Construction alongside domestic and international experts to create a vision that extends to 2040 and beyond. This involves the development of satellite cities, expanded tourism zones, and urban areas linked to marine activities, all centered on the port’s role as a gateway for northern exports.
With several provinces undergoing expansion in area and functionality, existing plans must undergo a thorough reassessment. Architect Vu Ngoc Tuan, Director of Planning Center 1 at the National Institute of Urban and Rural Planning, emphasized that reforms to the administrative map necessitate an overhaul of the planning framework from top to bottom.
“Planning should embrace a cohesive, long-term vision that reflects the newly enlarged administrative units, which will have diverse functions and heightened development needs,” Tuan stated.
Other specialists concur that the mergers not only present challenges in managing territories but also opportunities for restructuring development spaces, improving regional cooperation, and redistributing populations. To keep pace with this wave of reform, comprehensive planning evaluations must be initiated at national, regional, and provincial levels.
During the June 24 session, the National Assembly Standing Committee decided to withdraw the draft amendment to the Planning Law from the immediate legislative agenda in favor of a thorough overhaul to be introduced at the 10th session of the 15th National Assembly.
This timely move ensures continuity in planning efforts, mitigates disruptions to investments and development, and establishes a cohesive legal basis for administrative reforms and sustainable spatial organization throughout Vietnam.
Nhan Dan