The National Assembly is set to review a government proposal to consolidate thousands of communes nationwide. This restructuring aims to simplify administrative processes and improve public service delivery.
The National Assembly Standing Committee has outlined major plans to restructure administrative units. National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man revealed that 60-70% of the more than 10,000 communes will be merged. This move is part of broader efforts to streamline Vietnam’s governance system.
Vietnam's population
On the morning of March 11, the National Assembly Standing Committee discussed the conclusions of the extraordinary ninth session held in February.
The ninth extraordinary session was convened immediately after the Central Committee of the Communist Party meeting to address critical national issues urgently. These included restructuring state agencies, refining policies, and unlocking development potential as Vietnam enters a new era.
During the session, the National Assembly passed four laws and 12 resolutions related to government reorganization and personnel decisions. Additionally, six resolutions were approved to support economic and social development.
Unprecedented legislative activity
Reflecting on the session, Chairman Tran Thanh Man highlighted that the 15th National Assembly has already held nine extraordinary sessions, making it the most active term in Vietnam’s legislative history.
The ninth extraordinary session, which lasted 6.5 days, handled a significant workload. Chairman Man praised the dedication of the government, National Assembly committees, and delegates in addressing pressing national matters.
"Many issues that seemed impossible were ultimately resolved successfully. This is a testament to what we can achieve when we commit ourselves with determination," he said.
He emphasized that both government and parliamentary bodies worked relentlessly, often holding late-night meetings, with some officials working until 2-4 a.m. and taking only one or two days off during the Lunar New Year holiday.
Major administrative restructuring ahead
Chairman Man stressed that a significant portion of Vietnam’s communes will be merged as part of the ongoing administrative overhaul.
"For communes, we will need to merge 60-70% of the more than 10,000 existing units," he stated.
He also noted that the National Assembly Standing Committee and the government must work efficiently to handle the extensive workload ahead.
"Previously, we merged over 1,000 communes and several districts, requiring multiple sessions of the Standing Committee. Moving forward, we will need even more discussions. In the future, some provinces may also be merged, and district-level administration may no longer exist. This is a massive undertaking," he explained.
While the first phase of administrative restructuring was challenging, he warned that the second and third phases will be even more complex.
"For matters under the National Assembly’s jurisdiction, decisions will be made based on the government’s proposals," Chairman Man affirmed.
Upcoming National Assembly session to be the longest yet
Looking ahead to the ninth regular session, Chairman Man stated that it will be the longest session yet, lasting approximately two months with a planned three-week recess.
During this session, lawmakers will review and approve 11 draft laws, discuss 16 proposed laws, and consider constitutional amendments.
Chairman Man stressed the importance of thorough preparation, urging the government to proactively refine legislative proposals and address concerns raised by National Assembly delegates.
"The restructuring of administrative units is a matter of great public interest. The National Assembly will decide which provinces to merge, while the Standing Committee will handle commune and district-level mergers," he noted.
The National Assembly Standing Committee and the government are closely following Party guidelines, particularly Conclusions 126, 127, and the most recent Conclusion 128 issued by the Politburo.
With less than two months remaining before the next National Assembly session begins in early May, Chairman Man emphasized the need for intensive preparation.
"We must work with the mindset of ‘running while organizing the ranks’ to stay on schedule," he concluded.
(Vietnamnet)
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