Vietnam’s Bold Administrative Transformation

Content of General Secretary Tô Lâm’s speech on the progress of administrative reform and the merger of administrative units from central to local levels.

Reorganizing the Landscape: Vietnam’s Bold Administrative Transformation

                         The Vietnam Administrative Reform 2025 is the ultimate way to understand the nation’s strategic vision and unwavering determination in its ongoing restructuring. The phrase “Reorganizing the Landscape” (Sắp Xếp Lại Giang Sơn) profoundly encapsulates a groundbreaking step aimed at optimizing the state apparatus and enhancing management efficiency. This Vietnam Administrative Reform 2025 involves a massive merger of provincial-level units, shifting from 63 down to 34 administrative entities to ignite new momentum for sustainable growth. By streamlining governance and concentrating resources, Vietnam is creating larger economic regions with higher competitive advantages on the international stage. Let’s unveil the deep insights behind this transformation and what it means for the future of the nation.

SPECIAL OUTLINE

• Reasons for Administrative Reorganization: Why Vietnam decided to change its administrative structure.
• The Transition Process: Details on the number and list of administrative units before (63) and after (34) mergers.
• Vision: Goals and expectations for a stronger, more efficient, and sustainably developed Vietnam in the future.
• Important Note for Travelers: Essential guidance for tourists during the period of geographical information transition.

VIETNAM: REORGANIZING THE LANDSCAPE – A NEW ERA OF STRENGTH AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Now, let’s unveil the deep insights behind Vietnam’s strategic administrative transformation.

I. Why Did Vietnam Need Administrative Reorganization and Mergers?

The decision to restructure provincial-level administrative units wasn’t arbitrary but based on in-depth analysis and clear objectives:

1. Streamlining the Administrative Apparatus: Many provinces and cities had small areas and populations, leading to cumbersome and fragmented administrative structures that were inefficient in governance and resource allocation. Mergers help reduce the number of administrative tiers, concentrating power and resources, thereby increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of local governments.
2. Optimizing Resources and Socio-Economic Development: Mergers allow for the re-planning of development spaces, creating larger economic regions with higher potential and competitive advantages. This attracts investment, facilitates synchronized infrastructure development, and fosters new “growth poles.”
3. Enhancing Competitiveness: With larger scales, the new administrative units will possess greater potential to implement key projects, invest in spearhead industries, and elevate their competitive standing on the international stage.
4. Promoting Cultural Identity: Despite administrative mergers, the preservation and promotion of the unique cultural identity of each locality and ethnic group remain a focus, contributing to Vietnam’s rich diversity within unity.

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II. The Transition: From 63 to 34 Provincial-Level Administrative Units

On June 12, 2025, the National Assembly of Vietnam passed an important Resolution on the reorganization of provincial-level administrative units. Accordingly, from this date, the number of provincial-level administrative units in Vietnam was officially reduced. The local governments of these newly formed administrative units officially commenced operations on July 1, 2025.

1. Administrative Structure Before Mergers

Before the mergers, Vietnam had 63 provincial-level administrative units, comprising 58 provinces and 5 centrally-governed cities. Below is the full list of these 63 administrative units:

5 Centrally-governed Cities: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Can Tho.

58 Provinces: An Giang, Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Bac Lieu, Bac Kan, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, Ben Tre, Binh Duong, Binh Dinh, Binh Phuoc, Binh Thuan, Ca Mau, Cao Bang, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Dien Bien, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Ha Giang, Ha Nam, Ha Tinh, Hai Duong, Hau Giang, Hoa Binh, Hung Yen, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Kon Tum, Lai Chau, Lam Dong, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Long An, Nam Dinh, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan, Phu Tho, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Son La, Tay Ninh, Thai Binh, Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien Hue, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Long, Vinh Phuc, Yen Bai.

2. Administrative Structure After Mergers

Resolution No. 202/2025/QH15 by the National Assembly on the rearrangement of provincial-level administrative units.

This Resolution was voted on and approved by the National Assembly on June 12, 2025, at its 9th session. Consequently, the total number of provincial-level administrative units nationwide was reduced from 63 to 34. The new local governments established under this Resolution officially commenced operations on July 1, 2025.

Currently, Vietnam has 34 provincial-level administrative units, consisting of 28 provinces and 6 centrally-governed cities (as Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong have integrated additional administrative areas from neighboring provinces, increasing the total number of centrally-governed cities to 6).

Below is the list of the new provincial-level administrative units formed after the merger process, as officially announced:

• 6 New Centrally-governed Cities:
  • Hanoi (remains unchanged)
  • Ho Chi Minh City (merged from Ho Chi Minh City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau, and Binh Duong)
  • Hai Phong (merged from Hai Phong City and Hai Duong province)
  • Da Nang (merged from Da Nang City and Quang Nam province)
  • Can Tho (merged from Can Tho City, Soc Trang, and Hau Giang)
  • (The name of the 6th centrally-governed city was not specifically listed in your provided source, but the total is 6 centrally-governed cities)

• 28 New Provinces:
  • Lao Cai (merged from Yen Bai province and Lao Cai province)
  • Thai Nguyen (merged from Bac Kan province and Thai Nguyen province)
  • Phu Tho (merged from Vinh Phuc province, Hoa Binh province, and Phu Tho province)
  • Bac Ninh (merged from Bac Giang province and Bac Ninh province)
  • Hung Yen (merged from Thai Binh province and Hung Yen province)
  • Ninh Binh (merged from Ha Nam province, Nam Dinh province, and Ninh Binh province)
  • Quang Tri (merged from Quang Binh province and Quang Tri province)
  • Quang Ngai (merged from Kon Tum province and Quang Ngai province)
  • Gia Lai (merged from Binh Dinh province and Gia Lai province)
  • Khanh Hoa (merged from Ninh Thuan province and Khanh Hoa province)
  • Lam Dong (merged from Dak Nong province, Binh Thuan province, and Lam Dong province)
  • Dak Lak (merged from Phu Yen province and Dak Lak province)
  • Dong Nai (merged from Binh Phuoc province and Dong Nai province)
  • Tay Ninh (merged from Long An province and Tay Ninh province)
  • Dong Thap (merged from Tien Giang province and Dong Thap province)
  • Vinh Long (merged from Ben Tre province, Tra Vinh province, and Vinh Long province)
  • An Giang (merged from Kien Giang province and An Giang province)
  • Ca Mau (merged from Bac Lieu province and Ca Mau province)
  • And 11 provinces remain unchanged (the specific names of these 11 provinces were not listed in the provided source, but they constitute the remainder of the 28 new provinces).

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III. Vision for a Renewed Landscape

This change is not merely a numerical adjustment; it marks a pivotal moment in Vietnam’s administrative development history. It reflects a strong determination to build a Vietnam that is:

• Stronger: With larger-scale administrative units and greater potential.
• More Efficient: Streamlined apparatus and optimized operations.
• Sustainably Developed: Creating new drivers for economic and social growth.

This reorganization promises to bring positive changes, contributing to the construction of a Vietnamese “Renewed Landscape” that is increasingly prosperous, robust, and positioned for greater regional and global prominence.

Note: To delve into the Vietnam’s Administrative Apparatus Streamline Policy, please click here!

IV. IMPORTANT NOTE FOR TRAVELERS: Navigating the New Administrative Structure

With significant changes to provincial-level administrative boundaries and the potential for mergers of smaller administrative units (like districts and communes into larger wards and communes) in some areas, international and domestic travelers need to exercise extreme caution when planning their exploration of Vietnam.

Currently, information on many online platforms, specifically tourism websites, media channels, and popular map versions, may not have been fully updated to reflect this new administrative structure. This could lead to confusion or difficulties in accurately identifying locations or planning itineraries.

For example: Previously, if you wanted to visit Ba Ria – Vung Tau or Binh Duong, they were distinct provinces. But under the new structure, these areas have now been merged into Ho Chi Minh City, creating a Ho Chi Minh City with a significantly larger area and geographical scope. Similarly, some popular tourist attractions that once belonged to Province A might now fall under a newly merged Province B.

Advice for travelers:

• Cross-check information: Always consult multiple sources, especially the most up-to-date official announcements from tourism authorities or local governments.
• Refer to new maps: Prioritize using digital maps or navigation apps that are capable of quickly updating administrative changes.
• Contact locals: When needing to confirm precise locations or routes, do not hesitate to contact tour operators, hotels, or local residents for the most specific guidance.

Understanding these changes will help make your trip smoother, avoid unnecessary confusion, and ensure you can fully explore the beauty of Vietnam’s “Renewed Landscape.”

                    The strategic depth of the Vietnam Administrative Reform 2025 is globally recognized and monitored by international governance and economic observers. The official resolutions regarding these mergers are documented by the National Assembly of Vietnam and analyzed for their economic impact by the World Bank. Furthermore, updated geographical and administrative profiles reflecting these historic changes are being integrated into global records on Wikipedia. These sources serve as a global testament to Vietnam’s commitment to building a more efficient, modern, and sustainably developed state apparatus.

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