Is it permissible to use a personal name for a public project?

It is known that the bridge formerly named Kinh Tat has existed for several decades. However, due to severe damage, in mid-2014, a private enterprise near the bridge invested funds to rebuild it as a permanent concrete bridge. Upon completion, the bridge was renamed from Kinh Tat to Muoi Ut. Although the construction of the new bridge facilitated convenient travel for the residents, bringing significant value and contributions to the local people, this was a public project that had been closely linked to the lifestyle and activities of the residents. Therefore, the opposition and dissatisfaction of the residents to the name change are understandable.

According to the Regulation on naming and renaming streets, roads, and public works issued along with Resolution No. 91/2005/ND-CP of the Government of Vietnam, it is clear: Do not rename streets, roads, and public works with familiar names that have been associated with the nation's or locality’s history and culture, deeply ingrained in the consciousness and emotions of the people through many generations.

Also, according to this Regulation, naming public works must be based on selecting from the following categories:

- Famous localities with significant historical and cultural value of the country or locality; places that have been used since antiquity, deeply ingrained in the consciousness of the people; names of localities with special relationships or twinning relationships.- Nouns representing significant political, cultural, and social values, such as Independence, Freedom, Democracy, Unification, Liberation, Uprising, etc. These nouns can be used to name streets, roads, or public works.- Names of historical-cultural relics, scenic spots with national or local value that have been classified according to the provisions of the Law on Cultural Heritage.- Names of revolutionary movements, historical events, or victories against foreign invaders with national or local value.- Names of illustrious figures, including foreign figures.

These illustrious figures must be well-known, virtuous, talented, and have made significant contributions to the construction and defense of the nation or locality, had special contributions to the country, or made substantial contributions to cultural, artistic, scientific, or technical activities and the development of friendships between peoples, who are honored and acknowledged by the people.

Renaming public works should only be conducted if the current name is deemed to lack historical or cultural significance, is not appropriate with national customs and traditions, or is not representative of the country or locality, and has negative social impacts. However, renaming must be done cautiously.

Articles 15, 16, and 17 of the Regulation stipulate that for naming or renaming important streets and public works, the People's Committee of the province or centrally-governed city must present it to the same level People's Council for consideration and decision. For other public works, the People's Committee of the province or centrally-governed city decides on the naming or authorizes the People's Committee of the city directly under the province, the People's Committee of the district, or the district-level town to decide.

Thus, the arbitrary renaming of the bridge in the aforementioned story is a violation of the Regulation.

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