Starting April, resolutions by commune-level People’s Councils and decisions by commune-level People’s Committees are no longer part of Vietnam’s legal normative document system.

The 2025 Law on the Promulgation of Legal Normative Documents, effective from April 1, officially eliminates the legal authority of commune-level governments to issue such documents.

This change marks the end of legal normative issuance power at the lowest administrative level, streamlining Vietnam’s legal framework.

According to the 2025 law, there are now 25 types of legal normative documents issued by 14 competent authorities, replacing the current broader structure.

According to the government, this removal aligns with a proposal to reform and improve the legislative process - submitted by the Party Committee of the National Assembly to the Politburo. The actual demand for legal normative documents at the commune level is considered minimal.

Under the Constitution, People’s Councils and People’s Committees are tasked with organizing and ensuring the enforcement of the Constitution and laws at local levels. With more than 10,000 communes, wards, and townships across the country, retaining their authority to issue legal documents would overly complicate the legal system, adding excessive layers and creating difficulties in central oversight.

Central authorities consider merging provinces, eliminating district-level governments

According to Conclusion No. 127, the Politburo and Secretariat assigned the Government Party Committee to lead coordination with the Central Organization Commission, the National Assembly Party Committee, the Fatherland Front Party Committee, central mass organizations, and relevant agencies to develop a proposal for merging several provincial-level administrative units, eliminating the district level, and continuing the merger of commune-level units, aiming toward a two-tier local governance model.

The Politburo and Secretariat have tasked the Government Party Committee with submitting the proposal on merging provinces and local units to the central leadership before April 7.

Wage and bonus policies in state-owned enterprises

Decree No. 44, issued by the Government on February 28, outlines the management of labor, salaries, remunerations, and bonuses in state-owned enterprises. Effective from April 15, the decree establishes clear principles for labor and compensation management.

Specifically, wages, remunerations, and bonuses in state-owned enterprises will be determined based on duties, labor productivity, and business efficiency, in line with the industry and business nature, ensuring alignment with market-level wages.

The decree emphasizes adopting wage mechanisms to attract and retain high-tech personnel in priority sectors for national development.

Basic monthly salaries for chairpersons of member councils or boards of directors in state-owned enterprises will range from VND 31 million to 80 million (approximately USD 1,250 to USD 3,230).

The second-highest salaried position is the head of the supervisory board, with a range from VND 26 million to 66 million (about USD 1,050 to USD 2,665). Other members and inspectors will receive basic salaries between VND 25 million and 65 million (USD 1,010 to USD 2,620). Each year, based on production and business targets, state-owned enterprises will determine the basic and planned wages for each board member and inspector.

Agricultural land allowed for transfer in commercial housing pilot projects

Resolution No. 171/2024 by the National Assembly allows a pilot program for commercial housing projects using land acquired through agreements involving agricultural land. This resolution also takes effect on April 1.

Real estate businesses may acquire agricultural land, convert its use, and implement pilot projects if specific conditions are met.

The project land must align with district-level land use plans or construction and urban planning. It must also comply with the approved local housing development program and be part of a list of designated pilot project areas approved by the provincial People’s Council.

If the project involves land previously zoned for national defense or security that has been reclassified, additional approvals are required. In such cases, written consent from the Ministry of National Defense or the Ministry of Public Security must be obtained.

Tran Thuong