Vietnam’s Provincial Mergers: Consolidation from 63 to 34 Provinces and Cities

On June 12, Vietnam’s National Assembly officially adopted a new resolution to implement the new system of 34 provincial-level administrative units, comprising six centrally managed cities and 28 provinces. The restructuring plan is expected to clear bureaucratic hurdles, streamline administrative procedures, and provide a bedrock for sustainable growth targets.

According to the new NA resolution, Vietnam’s provincial-level administrative units will be reduced from 63 to 34 as of June 12, comprising six centrally run cities and 28 provinces. Of which, 23 units will be newly formed after the arrangement. Following the approval, competent authorities are urged to proceed with the implementation to ensure that the newly formed local administrations can officially operate from July 1, 2025. 

The key tasks include:

• Rearranging and streamlining the organizational structure of local agencies and organizations;
• Providing support and promptly addressing the challenges and concerns of officials, civil servants, public employees, and workers affected by this work; and
• Ensuring social welfare while protecting the legitimate rights and interests of citizens and businesses, as well as meeting the requirements for socio-economic development, national defense, and security in each locality.

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The government is tasked with accurately identifying the natural areas and boundary scopes on administrative maps as well as in the field. By June 30, all provinces are expected to simultaneously announce their new administrative boundaries at both the provincial and commune levels, along with updates to the leadership structures of the Party and local administrations.

Earlier this year, on April 12, 2025, Vietnam’s 13th Party Central Committee agreed with a proposed plan for local government restructuring. The plan includes the main goals of merging provincial-level administrative units, abolishing district-level units, and merging commune-level units, thus building a two-level local government model. The plan is outlined under Resolution No. 60-NG/TW (“Resolution 60”) of the 11th Conference of the 13th Party Central Committee.

Merging plan for provincial-level administrative units from Vietnam’s government

According to Resolution 60, Vietnam will have 34 provincial-level administrative units, including:

• 28 provinces: Cao Bang, Dien Bien, Ha Tinh, Lai Chau, Lang Son, Nghe An, Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, Son La, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, Thai Nguyen, Phu Tho, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, Ninh Binh, Quang Tri, Quang Ngai, Gia Lai, Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong, Dak Lak, Dong Nai, Tay Ninh, Vinh Long, Dong Thap, Ca Mau, and An Giang; and
• Six centrally governed cities: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Hue, Da Nang, Can Tho, and Hai Phong.

On April 14, the government of Vietnam issued Decision No. 759/QD-TTg (“Decision 759”), which outlines a specific plan to rearrange 52 provincial-level administrative units. This decision also details the expected areas, populations, and administrative centers for 34 provinces and cities following the merger. As Resolution No. 202/2025/QH15 took effect on June 12, 2025, the names for Vietnam’s newly formed provinces and cities have been finalized.

How will the two-tier local government model function?

In his closing remarks at the 13th PCC’s 11th Conference, President To Lam praised the benefits of the restructuring plan for enhancing the efficiency of Vietnam’s local administration.

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As a result, the number of administrative units at the commune level across the country will decrease by approximately 60 to 70 percent compared to the current status. Under the new administrative structure, the provincial level will serve both as the implementer of central government policies and as the issuer of policies at the provincial and city levels. Additionally, it will directly oversee and manage the activities of local communes.

Meanwhile, the commune level primarily enacts policies issued by the Central and Provincial levels, is given greater decentralization, and holds the authority to create legal documents necessary for organizing law enforcement in their area, along with the power to address issues within their jurisdiction.

Also read: Vietnam’s Government Restructuring: Updates on Conclusion 127

Implementation plan of Vietnam’s government

On April 14, the Central Steering Committee, directing the implementation of Resolution No. 18-NQ/TW, issued Plan No. 47 on implementing the arrangement and merger of provinces and communes and organizing the two-level local government system according to Resolution 60.

The plan outlines specific tasks for implementing the rearrangement and merger of provincial and communal administrative units and building a two-level local government system. The expected completion timeline in the plan is mainly focused within the year of 2025.

Decentralization and authority delegation

To improve autonomy for local governments, Vietnam’s government has issued 28 decrees that guide the decentralization and delegation of authority across various sectors. These decrees take effect on July 1, 2025, coinciding with the official start of the two-tier local administrations. Under these decrees, ministries and ministerial-level agencies are required to publicly disclose their administrative procedures within their scope of authority.

Vietnam to have 21 coastal provinces post-merger

Enhancing logistics competitiveness

Before arranging, Vietnam is made up of 63 provinces and centrally administered cities, which include 28 coastal areas. Out of these, 26 have seaports, with Ninh Binh and Bac Lieu being the exceptions. Ninh Binh has one of the shortest coastlines in the country at approximately 18 km, while Bac Lieu, although boasting a longer coastline of 56 km, also lacks a seaport. In addition to the 26 coastal regions with seaports, there are eight non-coastal provinces and cities that possess seaports.

After consolidation, the number of coastal provinces will be reduced to 21 from the current 28, presenting an increase in the proportion of Vietnam’s coastal provinces from 44 percent to 62 percent. Notably, all 21 coastal provinces post-consolidation will have seaports, along with two non-coastal provinces with seaports, Dong Nai and Tay Ninh.

This new administrative framework will provide nearly all provinces in Vietnam with seaports, an essential complementary infrastructure for the transportation network. This enhancement will foster a favorable logistics network for businesses, consequently encouraging investments in areas that currently lack competitive advantages.

Creating mega-port hubs

The merger plan will notably create mega-port systems in areas like HCMC, which will be combined with Binh Duong and Ba Ria – Vung Tau.

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Currently, Ba Ria – Vung Tau has a distinctive port system featuring 48 seaports, while HCMC has a type I port system with 40 seaports, and Binh Duong only has the Binh Duong general port. After the merger of these three regions into the newly established HCMC, the centrally governed city will have an impressive seaport network of 89 seaports. Adding 10 offshore oil and gas ports from Ba Ria – Vung Tau, the new city will have a total of 99 seaports, greatly surpassing the existing largest seaport system in the nation, Haiphong, which comprises 50 seaports.

Another area set to enhance its maritime economy post-merger is Can Tho City, which will integrate Can Tho, Soc Trang, and Hau Giang. Following the merger, this area will have 21 seaports. Although the number is relatively small, the key point is that Can Tho will transition into a coastal city. Despite not being coastal and situated nearly 100 kilometers from the nearest seaports, Can Tho City currently has developed 17 type I classified seaports. Gaining sea access post-merger will significantly bolster the maritime economic development of the Mekong Delta’s capital city.

Potential of Vietnam’s maritime sector

The Vietnam Maritime Administration reported a robust performance in the maritime sector for 2024. Cargo volume through ports increased by 14 percent, reaching 864.4 million metric tons. Container cargo experienced substantial growth as well, soaring 21 percent to 29.9 million TEUs.

Moreover, the number of ships utilizing the ports rose by 2 percent, totaling 102,670 units. The inland waterway transport sector also grew by 8 percent in terms of vehicles, with around 380,100 units recorded. Notably, the volume of goods transported by Vietnamese fleets had a positive growth of 3 percent in 2024.

Also read: Vietnam Proposes Government Restructuring to Streamline Bureaucracy

Conclusion

Vietnam’s official introduction of a two-tier local government model through Resolution 60 and Resolution 202 marks a significant restructuring of its administrative framework. By reducing the number of provincial-level units to 34 and streamlining administrative processes, the government aims to enhance efficiency and support sustainable growth.

This restructuring will empower provincial authorities to implement policies more effectively while decentralizing governance at the commune level, ultimately fostering greater responsiveness to local needs.

This article was originally published April 15, 2025. It was last updated June 12, 2025.

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