Resolutions and decisions on merger of local administrative units nationwide announced

Ceremonies were held on the morning of June 30 in all 34 centrally-run cities and provinces after merger to announce resolutions and decisions on new local party organizations and administrative units, and the appointment of personnel.

The documents include those regarding the merger of provincial- and commune-level administrative units, the termination of district-level administrative units, the establishment of Party organizations, as well as the appointment of personnel to Party Committees, People's Councils, People's Committees, and Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Committees at provincial and commune levels.

In the 23 centrally-run cities and provinces newly established as a result of the merger (new cities and provinces), resolutions and decisions on the merger of provincial- and commune-level administrative units, as well as decisions on appointment of personnel to new Party Committees, and new People’s Committees and People’s Councils  at provincial and commune levels were announced.

Meanwhile, in the 11 other centrally-run cities and provinces, which remain unchanged in terms of administrative boundaries, resolutions on the merger of commune-level administrative units and decisions on appointment of personnel to new Party Committees, and new People’s Committees and People’s Councils at commune levels were announced.

As a result, Vietnam has now 34 centrally-run cities and provinces and 3,321 commune-level administrative units (a decrease of 29 provincial-level units and 6,714 commune-level units); while all district-level administrative units have been terminated..

Party General Secretary To Lam attended the ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City; while State President Luong Cuong,  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh,  National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, and Politburo member and Permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu attended those in Hanoi, Hai Phong, Can Tho and Da Nang, respectively.

The ceremonies in other cities and provinces were attended by Politburo members, Secretaries of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Ministers, Deputy Chairpersons of the National Assembly, and other high-ranking officials.

Addressing the ceremony in the new Ho Chi Minh City, which has been merged from the former Ho Chi Minh City and the provinces of Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau,  Party General Secretary To Lam underlined that the merger is not a mere administrative combination but a convergence of intellect and shared development aspirations. He described the new HCM City as a megacity with the potential to become a regional and global centre of finance, manufacturing, logistics, and innovation.

He stated that the newly defined urban space is built on a long-term vision for sustainable, integrated and scientific development. The reform, he noted, symbolizes strategic thinking and innovation in public administration, aimed at bringing government closer to the people and serving them more efficiently.

The move, the Party leader said, represents a bold and pioneering step with breakthrough significance in urban governance reform, one that will allow for rapid, robust, and effective growth in Vietnam’s most urbanized region.

The two-tier governance model is expected to enhance local autonomy and administrative flexibility while providing a clear institutional framework for the development of satellite cities, industrial zones, logistics centers, and seaports. Most importantly, the Party chief affirmed, the principle of a serving government will no longer be just a slogan, but a tangible action delivering real and substantive changes to both citizens and businesses.

The Party leader called on the local officials, Party members, public servants, workers, armed forces personnel, business community, and citizens to unite and push ahead drastic actions as well as innovation to elevate the freshly-emerged city to a new high. He stressed that city’s success is rooted in public consensus, resolute leadership, and dedicated implementation.

He expressed his hope that the city leaders will uphold their mettle, harness collective wisdom, and place the interests of the nation and citizens above anything else, envisioning that Ho Chi Minh City, with significant achievements 50 years after liberation, will serve not only as a bright spot for Vietnam but also a destination for Asia and the wider world.

As Vietnam embarks on a monumental shift with a two-tier local government model across 34 provinces and cities, Party General Secretary To Lam stated that the restructuring is vital for the nation’s development amidst globalization, digital transformation, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This transition offers a precious chance to renew leadership thinking, modernize state management, and leverage science and technology to enhance governance quality and public service effectiveness.

He called upon all compatriots nationwide, from mountainous border regions to distant islands, from urban areas to rural communities, to continue promoting the tradition of great national unity and upholding patriotism to create a solid unified bloc representing the invincible strength of the people.

All government bodies, agencies, and officials must boldly transform their mindset and actions, embrace development trends, innovate their approaches, elevate leadership and management capabilities, and embody a spirit of "daring to think, daring to do and daring to take responsibility". They should be ready to sacrifice personal interests for a modern, transparent, and people-centered administration by the people, of the people, and for the people.

Meanwhile, intellectuals, scientists, entrepreneurs, artists, armed forces personnel, youth, women, elderly, children, ethnic minorities, and religious communities were urged to work hard and create abundant material wealth and spiritual values, contributing to the country’s faster, stronger and more sustainable development.

The Party leader urged the overseas Vietnamese to continue turning their hearts to the homeland, joining efforts to develop a strong and prosperous nation standing shoulder to shoulder with countries across the five continents.

He took the occasion to call on international partners and multilateral organizations to accompany Vietnam in its journey to build a modern administration system, a dynamic economy, a society with comprehensive development, and a nation with integration, cooperation, and responsibility for common peace, stability, advancement, and prosperity.

The Party leader emphasized that every organization, community, and individual represents an important link in this powerful reform mechanism, expressing his belief that with the strength of great national unity, the aspiration for national strength, and the unwavering will for reform, Vietnam will steadily advance on the path of building a peaceful, civilized, prosperous, and happy socialist Vietnam.

Among the 34 localities, 23 new centrally-run cities and provinces have been established as a result of merger, where new party secretaries, chairpersons of People’s Committees and People’s Councils have been appointed.