Vietnam’s Thua Thien Hue province to become federally managed Hue city after parliament vote

Vietnam’s National Assembly approved a resolution Saturday to establish Thua Thien Hue province as Hue, a centrally-governed city, with 458 out of 461 delegates, or 95.62%, voting in favor.

The resolution, effective January 1, 2025, officially upgrades the central Vietnam province, spanning a natural area of over 4,947 square kilometers and having a population of 1,236,393, into a federal city.

Hue city shares borders with Danang city, Quang Nam and Quang Tri provinces, Laos and the East Sea.

It will become the sixth city directly governed by the central government, joining Hanoi, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Can Tho.

Before the vote, Hoang Thanh Tung, Chairman of the National Assembly's Law Committee, presented a report from the National Assembly Standing Committee explaining the revisions and rationale behind the resolution.

He said establishing Hue as a federal city was a significant milestone that acknowledges its achievements in urbanization and urban economic development.

Addressing concerns over Hue’s relatively low urban administrative ratio and per capita income compared to the national average, Tung said that the city’s core mission was to preserve and promote the unique values of the former imperial capital and its UNESCO-recognized cultural heritages.

Thus, the urbanization rate will focus less on quantity and more on sustainable, high-quality development, he added.

The resolution will serve as a catalyst for government agencies and local authorities to implement urban development plans, attract investments, and accelerate socio-economic growth. This, in turn, will enhance per capita income and other key development indicators over time, he said.

Tung urged the municipal administration to implement measures to attract diverse investment, maintain balanced development, and ensure the preservation of cultural heritage while fostering economic growth.

Specific mechanisms and policies tailored to Hue’s development will be proposed for the National Assembly’s consideration, he said.

Tung also noted that the name "Hue" embodied the region’s historical, cultural and traditional identity; and resonated as such with both domestic and international visitors. The name has received overwhelming public support, with 98.67% of local voters in favor, he said.

Tung said that regulations will be introduced to ensure that agencies, organizations and units currently bearing the name "Thua Thien Hue" transition to the "Hue city" designation once the resolution takes effect.

Special policies and mechanisms previously applied to Thua Thien Hue will remain in place for Hue city until their expiration or further government action, he added.