Discussions on Urban and Rural Planning Reforms in Vietnam

On October 25, the National Assembly of Vietnam convened to review proposed changes to the Law on Urban and Rural Planning, covering key topics such as urban classifications, city boundaries, and suburban zones.

Nguyen Quang Huan, a deputy from Binh Duong, pointed out the confusion arising from existing terminology in urban planning. He highlighted the shift from a structure where cities resided solely within provinces to a system that now includes cities existing within larger cities, which could lead to misunderstandings.

To mitigate this confusion, Huan proposed the phrase “super city” be added to the legal framework. He cited examples like Thu Duc City in Ho Chi Minh City and prospective cities like Thuy Nguyen and Me Linh, suggesting this terminology could benefit clarity.

“In English, ‘metropolis’ signifies ‘super city,’ and we should consider using similar language,” Huan stated, advocating for reserving this designation for cities recognized as “special” under the current system.

Nguyen Van Canh, a National Assembly deputy from Binh Dinh, contributed to the dialogue by emphasizing the English division of areas into “urban, suburban, and rural.” He argued that urban planning should encompass both central and peripheral city spaces while keeping rural areas distinct.

He characterized inner-city locales as densely populated with high-rise buildings, robust infrastructure, and established transportation systems, contrasting them with outer-city areas that are generally less populated and greener. Rural areas, according to Canh, should maintain their agricultural focus with lower population densities.

Canh stressed that preserving these distinctions is essential to prevent urban sprawl from invading rural lands, where some less developed urban regions may fall behind their rural neighbors.

In response, Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi clarified that terms like “inner city” and “inner urban areas” are part of the broader classification for urban development and administrative units, although they are not specifically addressed in the current urban and rural planning law. He confirmed that these concepts are defined under the administrative classification resolutions of the National Assembly Standing Committee, with more details to be covered in the forthcoming Urban Development Management Law.

Discussing the overall scope of urban and rural planning, Minister Nghi explained that planning would adhere to territorial boundaries to foster coherence and efficiency among urban and rural regions. He acknowledged that cities frequently encompass adjoining rural districts and communes, reflecting the complex interplay of urban and rural settings across Vietnam’s varied landscapes.

The minister assured that the perspectives of the MPs would be taken into account, and relevant authorities would continue to enhance the draft law to more accurately clarify the planning scope.