At a Ministry of Home Affairs conference on 9/7, Mr. Phan Trung Tuan, Director of the Local Government Department, stated that 705 communes and wards nationwide currently do not meet the natural area or population size standards set by the National Assembly Standing Committee. Among these, 17 units fail to meet both area and population standards, 529 units fall short on area, and 159 units do not meet population criteria.

However, many of these communes and wards are located in border regions, remote areas, or possess complex terrain. Some also have unique historical, traditional, or cultural characteristics. Such units may not be subject to reorganization, unlike in previous stages.

For small communes and wards that do not meet population or area standards and are not considered special cases, localities must proactively explore adjustment options to increase their size. Provinces and cities can also propose establishing commune-level administrative units with larger scales than the current standards.

The Ministry of Home Affairs will report to the Party Committee of the Government to submit a proposal to the Central Committee for consideration on continuing the reorganization of communes and wards. Once the Central Committee issues its conclusion, the Government and the Ministry of Home Affairs will provide specific guidance to localities.

Mr. Tuan emphasized that this is not a blanket reorganization of all 705 substandard communes and wards. Instead, each case will be evaluated based on the specific conditions and characteristics of the locality. "This is a significant issue with widespread implications for the entire local political system, especially at the commune level. Therefore, the Central Committee will carefully consider this before reaching a conclusion," he stated.

In early July, at a conference reviewing one year of the two-tier local government model, General Secretary, President To Lam directed the continued reorganization of some small, substandard commune-level administrative units.

According to Resolution 112/2025 of the National Assembly Standing Committee, mountainous communes must have at least 5,000 residents and an area of 100 km2. Island communes require 2,500 residents and 15 km2. Other communes must meet standards of 16,000 residents and 30 km2. Wards must have at least 21,000 residents and an area of 5,5 km2.

Mr. Phan Trung Tuan, Director of the Local Government Department, speaks at the conference on 9/7. Photo: Tong Giap

In addition to studying the reorganization of substandard communes and wards, the Central Committee and General Secretary, President To Lam have also directed research into developing "core" communes and wards. This initiative aims to create new growth poles for provinces and cities. The Ministry of Home Affairs recommends that localities proactively conduct practical research to be prepared for implementation once the competent authority approves the policy.

Following the implementation of the two-tier local government model, the number of commune-level administrative units nationwide decreased from 10,035 to 3,321, comprising communes, wards, and special zones. After one year of operating the two-tier local government model, the country has achieved important results, but many difficulties still arise.

Mr. Tuan noted that the Central Committee has identified these difficulties and plans to address them at the upcoming third conference. The Central Committee's new conclusions will aim to fundamentally and comprehensively resolve issues arising during the operation of the two-tier local government model.

Vu Tuan