Vietnam Aims to Consolidate: From 63 to 34 Cities and Provinces

Vietnam plans to decrease its administrative divisions from 63 cities and provinces to 34 under a governmental restructuring initiative intended to make the system more efficient, according to Communist Party General Secretary Trong Lam on Friday.

At a ceremony held in Da Nang City to mark the 50th anniversary of the nation’s unification (April 30, 1975 – 2025), Lam stated that the Central Committee is anticipated to meet in early April with the aim of finalizing strategies for the overhaul. Additionally, the National Assembly will be involved in endorsing this proposal.

According to Lam’s statement under the preliminary proposal, they aim to transform the present 63 provinces and municipalities into roughly 34 areas. He also mentioned that activities at the district tier would cease, with approximately 5,000 new communal and ward-level entities expected to emerge via consolidations.

General Secretary To Lam addresses an occasion in Da Nang on March 28, 2025. Image courtesy of VnExpress/Nguyen Dong.

Vietnam plans to overhaul its administrative structure into three levels: the national government; the province/city tier; and the commune/ward tier. This restructuring aims to eliminate duplicated roles and enhance overall effectiveness.

Lam pointed out that approximately 80% of nations today function with a three-tier governmental framework, whereas Vietnam is part of a smaller group—more than 10%—that continues to uphold a four-tier setup.

He mentioned that there are overlapping duties in practice. "A responsibility is managed by the central government, after which the province takes over the same task, followed by the district and finally the commune," he stated. "It’s crucial to delineate these roles precisely. Should the central government be responsible for something, the province should not handle it. Similarly, if the province manages an aspect, the commune ought not to take part in it."

According to the suggested structure, the federal government will concentrate on crafting national strategies, managing international relations, ensuring defense, and maintaining security. Meanwhile, provinces and municipalities will oversee local execution, specifically within their communities.

Lam highlighted the significance of communal governance, describing it as "the bedrock" of the administrative framework, noting that this level is crucial for the actual enforcement of party and state policies.

He admitted that for an extended period, local commune officials have been deprived of genuine authority in areas such as socioeconomic issues, healthcare, and education — responsibilities typically managed at the provincial or district levels instead.

"That needs to change," Lam said. "Communal and grassroots officials must now understand the people's needs, identify challenges, and find solutions."