Vietnam plans to reduce 63 cities and provinces to 34

Speaking at a ceremony in Da Nang City in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the national reunification (April 30, 1975 – 2025), Lam said that the Central Party Committee is expected to convene in early April to finalize plans for the restructuring. The National Assembly will also play a role in approving the initiative.

"Under the initial plan, we expect to rearrange the current 63 provinces and cities into about 34," Lam said. "Operations at the district level will be dissolved, and around 5,000 commune- and ward-level units will be formed through mergers."

Party General Secretary To Lam speaks at an event in Da Nang, March 28, 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Dong

Vietnam is expected to restructure its administrative system into three tiers: the central government; the provincial/municipal level; and the commune/ward level. The reform is aimed at eliminating overlapping responsibilities and improving efficiency.

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

He said there are duplications in duty in reality. "The central government handles a task, then the province does the same, followed by the district and commune," he said. "We need to clearly define responsibilities. If the central government handles it, the province shouldn't. If the province does it, the commune shouldn't."

Under the proposed framework, the central government will focus on national strategy, foreign affairs, defense, and security. Provinces and cities will take responsibility for localized implementation, particularly at the grassroots level.

Lam emphasized the importance of commune-level government, calling it "the foundation" of the administrative system, where Party and State policies are truly implemented.

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

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