At the ceremony to announce the Resolutions and Decisions on merging provincial and commune-level administrative units. (Photo: VOV)

Vietnam will now have the smallest number of cities and provinces since national reunification in 1975, following the most significant restructuring of provincial-level administrative units in modern history.

Historic moment

"Today, we are witnessing a moment of historic significance: the announcement of resolutions of the Party Central Committee and local administrations on the merging of administrative units," said General Secretary To Lam at the ceremony to announce the Party Central Committee's Resolution and Decision on the 

With Party General Secretary To Lam’s announcement, Vietnam has entered an era of strong reform and aspiration for institutional innovation to build a streamlined administrative system of just 34 provinces and centrally-run cities, with a two-tier local government model.

More than merging small localities into bigger localities, this is a bold restructuring rooted in a national strategic vision. In his message to the nation at the announcement ceremony, General Secretary Lam said: "The decision to reorganize the country is a historic, strategic step toward a new development period of fine-tuning the state apparatus, the institution, and the political system. It aims to create a modern, streamlined, people-centered administrative system to better serve the people and ensure all benefits to the people."

The reform symbolizes Vietnam’s readiness to meet the demands of the times and its determination to let go of traditional structures to embrace a more effective and dynamic model of governance with the ultimate goal of better serving its citizens and unlocking new development potential in the new era of globalization and innovation.

Pham Tat Thang, Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Communication, Education and Mass Mobilization, said: "This is a major event of historic importance, setting a new course for national development over the next 100 years."

Nguyen Hong Dao, a former National Assembly deputy, called the moment “revolutionary”. "This marks a revolutionary milestone. It’s revolutionary because it eliminates the most significant barriers to building a state apparatus truly of the people, by the people, and for the people. Serving the people must be the core of the power and the purpose of all public institutions," said Dao.

At the ceremony (Photo: VOV)

Consensus in apparatus restructuring, shaping new development landscape

Vietnam has entered a new stage of development in which national solidarity is the foundation for overcoming all challenges. Across the nation, the people are united and determined to embrace this transition.

"As soon as the decision to merge is announced, we’re ready to implement the new model and ensure a stable life for all residents."

"We are ready for smooth and effective operation from July 1."

"We believe that the reform will open a new chapter in our nation’s history, taking Vietnam to new heights."

Vietnam today is like a sailboat catching a strong wind, driven by the aspiration for innovation, political will, and public trust. For the nation to move faster and further, it must be lighter, more efficient, and better directed. This reform is about preparing the “Vietnamese ship” to sail powerfully through the turbulent seas of a rapidly changing world.

General Secretary To Lam said history has entrusted us with the vital mission of building a lean, effective, and high-performing apparatus to meet the demands of fast and sustainable national development. To fulfill the mission, no tools are more effective than the unity and consensus of the political system and the wholehearted support of the people.

"We have a great opportunity. Each person, each community, plays an essential part in this powerful reform engine. Every Vietnamese citizen, at home or abroad, has a vital role and civic responsibility to advance the nation. From today onward, we will join hands to implement the two-level local government model and create a streamlined, effective, efficient system that protects the legitimate rights of the people, ensures social welfare, and expands development opportunities for people of all social strata,” said Mr. To Lam.

Under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and with the strength of national unity, a desire for prosperity, and a spirit of innovation, the Vietnamese people are moving toward a prosperous, happy nation.