On the afternoon of 3/8, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Nguyen Thi Ha told VnExpress that the number of hamlets and residential clusters nationwide decreased from 89,589 to 48,078.

The mergers were carried out seriously, synchronously, transparently, democratically, and received public consensus. This expanded the management scale, largely overcoming the issue of small, fragmented hamlets and residential clusters.

Units with unique historical, cultural, ethnic, religious, defense, security, or geographical characteristics remained stable.

Localities also completed consolidating Party organizations, Fatherland Front committees, and socio-political organizations. They resolved benefits for part-time workers and transferred facilities, documents, and assets.

"Necessary conditions ensure the new hamlets and residential clusters operate immediately, without interruption," Ms. Ha stated.

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Nguyen Thi Ha speaks at a government press conference on the afternoon of 3/8. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, by the end of 2021, approximately 21,200 hamlets nationwide had fewer than 150 households, primarily in the northern mountainous region. Meanwhile, many residential clusters in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City had over 1,000 households.

In mid-May, the Prime Minister requested localities to complete the merger of hamlets and residential clusters by 30/6. This directive aims to reduce management pressure after administrative unit restructuring and streamline local apparatus.

Decree 185/2026, issued in late May, mandates that hamlets in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City must have at least 500 households, and residential clusters 700 households. These figures represent an increase of 200 and 250 households, respectively, compared to previous requirements.

Minimum size requirements vary by region. In the northern midland and mountainous regions, hamlets require 150 households and residential clusters 300 households. The corresponding figures for the Red River Delta are 400 and 550 households; the North Central Coast 350 and 450 households; the South Central Coast and Central Highlands 300 and 450 households; and the Southeast and Mekong Delta 400 and 550 households.

Vu Tuan