The Ministry of Justice (Bo Tu Phap) recently provided explanations and received feedback from National Assembly delegates on the revised Capital Law draft, which is expected to be considered and approved next week. A new provision in the draft law concerns administrative units within Hanoi, which will now include communes, wards, and special administrative-economic units.

The National Assembly will decide on the establishment of special administrative-economic units within Hanoi. These units are intended to serve as functional urban areas, aligning with the Capital's Master Plan. They will operate under distinctive models, applying superior mechanisms and new policies for local governance, attracting investment, and enhancing the Capital's competitiveness.

During discussions at the National Assembly, some delegates requested further clarification on the necessity of establishing special administrative-economic units. Concerns were also raised that this provision might lead to misunderstandings regarding the constitutional authority to establish administrative units below the provincial or city level.

Apartment projects in western Hanoi. Photo: Giang Huy.

Apartment projects in western Hanoi. Photo: Giang Huy.

Explaining this content, the Ministry of Justice stated that the provision for special administrative-economic units aims to institutionalize the direction outlined in Central Resolution 02, confirming that Hanoi will adopt this governance model. The law will establish a legal framework to affirm the legal status of this type of special administrative-economic unit within the Capital's organizational structure. The establishment, boundary demarcation, organizational structure, and policies will remain under the authority of the National Assembly, implemented according to constitutional and legal procedures.

This provision aims to concretize the Capital's special position and role. It also creates a legal basis for organizing development space, urban governance, and experimenting with new management models that align with Hanoi's requirements for rapid, sustainable development in the new period.

The drafting agency acknowledges that adding "special administrative-economic units" within Hanoi is a new concept, stemming from the need to innovate thinking regarding the organization of development space and the Capital's governance.

This provision establishes a legal basis for forming functional urban areas, growth poles, and new development drivers for the City, as outlined in the Capital's Master Plan. This model permits the application of flexible, superior management and operational mechanisms and policies compared to conventional administrative units, thereby attracting resources, fostering innovation, science and technology, and socio-economic development.

Defining special administrative-economic units as sub-city level, rather than independent administrative units within the national system, aligns with the Constitution. This approach upholds the state's principle of unified management while creating institutional leeway for Hanoi to proactively organize management models suited to the Capital's unique development characteristics.

Son Ha