Do I Need to Replace My Red Book When Provinces and Cities Are Merged?

The merger of administrative units has raised questions among many citizens regarding the necessity to adjust and reissue land-use rights and ownership certificates (“red books”).

In an interview with the press, Attorney Vu Kim Hoan from HQC Law Firm referred to Article 10 of Resolution 190/2025/QH15, dated February 19, which provides guidelines for handling documents and papers issued by competent agencies and officials in the context of rearranging state administrative apparatus.

According to this resolution, documents and papers issued by competent agencies and officials before the rearrangement of the state administrative apparatus remain valid and applicable until their expiration or unless amended, supplemented, replaced, revoked, or annulled by the agency or official assuming the respective functions, tasks, and powers, or by a competent authority.

Additionally, it is stipulated that organizations and individuals should not be required to undergo procedures for the reissue of papers issued by competent agencies and officials before the administrative unit merger, unless otherwise specified by law.

Attorney Vu Kim Hoan also referred to Article 133 of the 2024 Land Law, which outlines the process of registering changes in land use. This article states that registration of changes is applicable when there are alterations in boundary lines, landmarks, dimensions, area, lot number, and address of the land lot. It also mentions the issuance of new certificates upon the request of land users or owners of assets attached to the land.

“According to the above regulations, red books issued before the rearrangement of the state administrative apparatus remain legally valid after the provincial merger,” said Attorney Vu Kim Hoan. “The state agency will automatically update the new administrative address information in the land database. Registration of changes or updates is only required if land users need to change their personal information or perform land-related transactions,” he added.

Furthermore, Article 13 of Circular No. 10/2024 of the former Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment provides specifications for information on land and asset changes. Specifically, in cases of changes in the name of the administrative unit or adjustments in administrative boundaries by a decision of a competent state agency, the following shall be indicated: “Change the name … (indicate the old name of the administrative unit) to … (indicate the new name of the administrative unit).”