The Ministry of Home Affairs is currently soliciting feedback on a draft decree concerning the organization and operation of hamlets and residential groups. This decree will serve as the basis for reorganizing residential units nationwide.

Under the draft proposal, hamlets in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City must comprise a minimum of 500 households, an increase of 200 households from the current regulation. Residential groups will require a minimum of 700 households, an increase of 250 households, making it the highest threshold in the country.

In contrast, hamlets in the Northern Midlands and Mountains region will maintain their current size of 150 households, though residential groups will increase from 200 to 300 households. The Red River Delta region anticipates an increase in hamlets from 300 to a minimum of 400 households, and residential groups from 350 to 550 households.

For the North Central Coast region, hamlets are projected to have 350 households and residential groups 450 households. The South Central Coast and Central Highlands regions will see hamlets with 350 households and residential groups with 500 households. Specifically, Gia Lai, Lam Dong, and Dak Lak provinces will have hamlets with a minimum of 300 households and residential groups with 450 households.

The Southeast and Mekong Delta regions are expected to have hamlets with 400 households and residential groups with 550 households. Compared to current figures, many southern localities will see an increase of 50 to 150 households per hamlet or residential group.

A residential area along the Red River in Hanoi, 5/2026. Photo: Pham Chieu

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, this reorganization aims to reduce the number of administrative units at the grassroots level. This comes as the number of hamlets and residential groups per commune or ward significantly increased after the 2025 administrative unit restructuring. Currently, each commune or ward averages approximately 27 hamlets and residential groups, a three-fold increase from previous figures.

The drafting agency noted that many localities currently do not meet the household size criteria. Approximately 21,200 hamlets nationwide have fewer than 150 households, primarily in the northern mountainous regions. Conversely, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City already have numerous residential groups with over 1,000 households.

The draft also states that hamlets and residential groups in border areas, islands, or areas with complex, fragmented, or isolated terrain may be organized with smaller sizes. The provincial People's Committees will make specific decisions based on the actual conditions of each locality.

Beyond the household count, the Ministry of Home Affairs requires hamlets and residential groups to possess essential socio-economic infrastructure to support community life and residents' well-being. The reorganization must also consider geographical factors, customs, traditions, demographic characteristics, and the aspirations of local residents.

Vu Tuan