Dossier for proposal for merger of provinces and cities in Vietnam according to regulations in 2025

Dossier for proposal for merger of provinces and cities in Vietnam according to regulations in 2025​ (Image from the internet)

Dossier for proposal for merger of provinces and cities in Vietnam according to regulations in 2025

On February 19, 2025, the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Session XV, at its 9th extraordinary meeting, passed the Local Government Organization Law 2025.

In particular, Clause 2, Article 10 of the Local Government Organization Law 2025 stipulates the dossier for proposals on the establishment, dissolution, merger, division of administrative units, and adjustments (including merger of provinces and cities), the dossier comprises the following documents:

- Presentation on the establishment, dissolution, merger, division of administrative units, boundary adjustments, and renaming of administrative units;

- Scheme on the establishment, dissolution, merger, division of administrative units, boundary adjustments, and renaming of administrative units;

- Consolidated report of public opinions, opinions of People's Councils at all levels, and relevant agencies and organizations;

- Draft resolution of the National Assembly or draft resolution of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on the establishment, dissolution, merger, division of administrative units, boundary adjustments, and renaming of administrative units.

Additionally, proposals for merger of provinces and cities must seek opinions from the public in the directly affected commune-level administrative units.

The provincial People's Committee is responsible for organizing public opinion surveys on the establishment, dissolution, merger, division of administrative units, boundary adjustments, and renaming of administrative units in accordance with suitable forms as regulated by the Government of Vietnam.

Simultaneously, the preparation of proposals, the process, and procedures for consideration and approval of proposals on the establishment, dissolution, merger, division of administrative units, boundary adjustments, and renaming of administrative units shall be conducted according to the regulations of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

Provision of conditions to ensure the merger of provinces and cities in Vietnam

According to Clause 3, Article 8 of the Local Government Organization Law 2025, from March 1, 2025, the merger of provincial-level administrative units must ensure the following conditions:

- Conformity with related planning approved by competent authorities;

- Ensuring the common benefits of the nation, effective state management by local governments at all levels; maximizing potential and advantages to promote economic and social development of the country and each locality;

- Ensuring requirements for national defense, security, social order, and safety;

- Ensuring national unity, appropriate to traditional, historical, and cultural elements of the locality; facilitating convenience for the people.

- Must be based on the standards of administrative units suitable for rural, urban, and island characteristics as prescribed by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

Regulations on naming new administrative units and renaming administrative units in Vietnam

(i) Names are written using letters from the Vietnamese alphabet or ethnic minority scripts.

(ii) The name of the newly established provincial-level administrative unit must not duplicate the name of any existing administrative unit of the same level nationwide.

+ The name of the newly established district-level administrative unit must not duplicate the name of any administrative unit of the same level within the same provincial-level administrative unit.

+ The name of the newly established commune-level administrative unit must not duplicate the name of any administrative unit of the same level within the same district-level administrative unit.

(iii) In necessary cases, administrative units may be renamed. The new name of this administrative unit is implemented according to the regulations in (i) and (ii).

(iv) The process and procedures for renaming administrative units are conducted as with the process and procedures for the establishment, dissolution, merger, division, and boundary adjustment of administrative units.

(Article 30 of Resolution 1211/2016/UBTVQH13)

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