Vietnam to have 34 cities, provinces, instead of 63: Party chief 

Vietnam plans to reduce the number of cities and provinces from the current 63 to 34, as part of a scheme to streamline its administrative apparatus, Party General Secretary To Lam said Friday.

The Party chief released the information at a meeting with more than 300 people from the central and Central Highlands regions who have been recognized for their revolution contributions.

The event took place in Danang city on occasion of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification (April 30, 1975-2025).

He said that the Party Central Committee is expected to convene in early April to finalize the restructuring plan and then the National Assembly will make a final decision on this matter.

District-level administrative agencies will stop operations, and around 5,000 commune- and ward-level units will be formed through mergers, To Lam added.

Vietnam plans a three-tier administrative system, including the central government, the provincial/municipal level, and the commune/ward level. The reform is aimed at eliminating overlapping responsibilities and improving efficiency, the Party chief highlighted.

To Lam noted that roughly 80% of countries in the world currently operate under a three-tier government system, while Vietnam is among a small number - over 10% - still maintaining a four-tier structure.

Under the proposed framework, the central government will focus on national strategy, foreign affairs, defense, and security. Provinces and centrally-run cities will take responsibility for handling specific local affairs.

The Party leader emphasized the importance of commune-level governments, which directly implement Party and State policies.

He acknowledged that for too long, commune-level authorities have lacked real decision-making power in socio-economic, health, and education matters as the functions are often handled at the provincial or district level.

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

According to the draft Resolution of the National Assembly Standing Committee, which is being drafted by the Ministry of Home Affairs, 11 cities and provinces in Vietnam will remain unchanged. They are Hanoi, Hue, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, Cao Bang, Lang Son, Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Ha Tinh.

The remaining 52 localities are subject to restructuring, including the four centrally-run cities of Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Danang, and Can Tho.