In a discussion with VietNamNet regarding the recent directive from the Politburo urging the government to study the plan for merging certain provinces and abolishing district-level administration, Professor Tran Ngoc Duong, a member of the Presidium of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and former Deputy Chief of the National Assembly Office, expressed strong support for the initiative.

Merging provinces does not conflict with the constitution

Professor Duong stated that merging provinces does not pose any constitutional issues, as Vietnam’s Constitution does not mandate a fixed number of provinces. Article 110 of the 2013 Constitution stipulates that the administrative units of Vietnam are divided into provinces and centrally governed cities.

The professor also endorsed the idea of eliminating district-level governance, asserting that many countries worldwide have adopted a two-tier government structure that strengthens both provincial and local governance.

In this model, provinces exert greater control, while municipalities and communes gain more autonomy. Instead of district-level administration, provincial authorities delegate governance to regional representatives responsible for specific areas.

Creating broader development zones

Vietnam currently has 63 provinces and centrally governed cities. The proposed mergers would aim to optimize regional strengths and improve interprovincial cooperation.

Professor Duong suggested that merging provinces could facilitate economic and geographical advantages. For instance, combining coastal provinces with inland regions could maximize maritime resources and create stronger economic zones. While the specifics of the merger plan remain under study, he believes the number of provinces will likely be reduced.

He also emphasized that a well-structured plan must be based on clear criteria to ensure effectiveness and public support, preventing arbitrary or mechanical consolidations that could disrupt local development.

In recent years, excessive administrative fragmentation has led to inefficiencies, competition, and even stagnation among neighboring provinces. Merging provinces is expected to address these issues, creating larger, more sustainable economic regions with enhanced growth potential.

Advantages of removing district-level administration

Professor Duong acknowledged that eliminating district-level governance would require further research, given Vietnam’s long-standing three-tier administrative structure. However, he highlighted several advantages:

First, it would create broader development zones, eliminating unnecessary jurisdictional boundaries that currently hinder regional economic growth.

Second, resource allocation would improve, allowing provincial governments to direct larger investments into municipal and communal projects.

Third, streamlining governance would align with the government’s objective of administrative efficiency, reducing bureaucracy and saving public funds currently allocated to district-level administration.

Furthermore, with rapid advancements in digital governance and technology, direct communication and management between provincial and communal governments have become increasingly feasible.

Potential challenges and the need for careful planning

While the reform could enhance administrative efficiency, Professor Duong noted that concerns may arise over governance effectiveness and bureaucratic distance between provincial and local authorities.

Public apprehension regarding the feasibility of state management under a two-tier system would need to be addressed through comprehensive public communication and education.

If implemented effectively, eliminating district-level governance would streamline decision-making. Currently, policies often pass through district-level administration before reaching communes. Under the proposed system, directives could be issued directly from provinces to local governments, reducing administrative delays.

Is the timing right for such a major administrative reform?

Professor Duong believes the time is ripe for Vietnam to explore this reform. Given recent efforts to restructure government agencies at both central and local levels, he argued that the plan should be executed systematically rather than hastily.

With the Communist Party’s 14th National Congress scheduled for January 2026, the government is prioritizing decisive reforms to prepare for the next phase of national development. Consequently, the merger of provinces and the elimination of district-level governance could be implemented before the congress convenes.

However, he cautioned that since these changes directly impact people’s lives and governance structures, they must be approached meticulously, with extensive research, public engagement, and strong political commitment.

Vietnam has long recognized the need for administrative streamlining, but past attempts have fallen short of expectations. This time, with firm determination from the Party and government, a well-designed restructuring plan is expected to be enforced consistently nationwide.

Thu Hang