Speaking at a national conference on July 1 to review one year of operating the overall organizational model of the political system and the three-tier government model, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra stated that 705 commune-level administrative units nationwide currently do not meet the prescribed standards.

The Government will continue to review and comprehensively assess the development space created after the initial consolidation of commune-level administrative units. Based on this assessment, it will research further consolidation options for localities that still do not meet the standards. This process must ensure suitability with the cultural, historical, traditional, ethnic, religious, and geographical characteristics of each locality.

The Government also plans to research the formation of special commune-level administrative unit models or commune-level economic zones. These are envisioned to serve as growth nuclei for provinces and regional linkages. For areas still fragmented by urban spaces, industrial parks, and economic zones, appropriate solutions will continue to be explored.

In parallel with perfecting the administrative unit model, the Government will collaborate with the Central Organization Commission and local authorities to develop a framework of criteria for specialized commune-level departments. The aim is to make these departments lean, effective, and efficient. Administrative agencies under provincial and commune-level People's Committees will continue to be reorganized. Public non-business units will be streamlined, increasing their autonomy and promoting socialization in suitable sectors.

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra speaking at the conference on July 1. *Giang Huy*

The Deputy Prime Minister urged localities to prioritize building strong commune-level cadre teams, particularly selecting secretaries and chairpersons of the commune-level People's Committee who possess sufficient integrity, capacity, and reputation. "Ultimately, the effectiveness of the two-tier local government model depends primarily on the quality of commune-level government, the cadre teams, and data-driven digital governance", she said. She added that based on the Politburo's conclusions after the conference, the Government will issue specific guidance and complete these tasks in 2026.

From 1/7/2025, administrative units nationwide will be reorganized, reducing the number of provinces and cities from 63 to 34. This reorganization will also conclude the operations of 696 district-level administrative units, decreasing the number of commune-level administrative units from 10,035 to 3,321 communes, wards, and special zones.

According to a Resolution issued by the National Assembly Standing Committee in December 2025, mountainous communes must have a population of at least 5,000 people, island communes at least 2,500 people, and other communes at least 16,000 people. Regarding natural area, mountainous communes must have a minimum of 100 km², island communes 15 km², and other communes 30 km². Wards must have a population of at least 21,000 people and a minimum area of 5,5 km².

The Government will continue to accelerate administrative procedure reform to ensure that institutions genuinely become a driving force, resource, and national competitive advantage. According to Ms. Tra, the biggest limitation is not a lack of institutions or policies, but rather the awareness and effectiveness of their implementation. This is particularly true for the sense of responsibility among leaders in some localities and the capacity of commune-level governments, which have not yet met task requirements.

Moving forward, the Government will continue to create development space through institutions and policies. It will refine the mechanisms for decentralization of power and responsibilities, addressing difficulties and obstacles within its authority for localities. This will be linked with accelerating digital transformation and building a digital government and digital local authorities.

Currently, the provincial level performs 1,382 tasks delegated from the central government, while the commune level handles 938 tasks. This represents a substantial workload for grassroots governments. The division of authority between the central and local levels will also continue to be refined. The central government will focus on macro-management, institutional development, strategic planning, resource coordination, and national risk control. Localities will proactively implement and take responsibility according to the motto: "local decides, local acts, local takes responsibility."

"The Government does not act on behalf of localities, nor does the State act on behalf of the market or society. Instead, it creates a legal framework, expands coordination space, and mobilizes social resources for development," she stated.

Assessing the results after one year of operating the new model, the Deputy Prime Minister observed that the organizational restructuring has opened up new development space and fostered a mindset of innovative development in the new era. Many localities, including Hanoi, TP HCM, Hai Phong, Dong Nai, Bac Ninh, Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh, and Tay Ninh, have achieved notable results.

"This forms an important foundation that contributes to consolidating social trust and strongly igniting the aspiration for national development across the entire political system and among all people," the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.

Vu Tuan