Deputy Prime Minister Debunks False Claims of Merging 34 Provinces into 16

Commune-Level Officials: The Key to Success

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra emphasized this point during her interview on the Government’s Electronic Information Portal.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, after four months of implementing the two-tier local government model, the administrative machinery has stabilized, operating smoothly and continuously, earning recognition from the public.

Despite a significant increase in workload following consolidation, local governments have maintained stable operations, ensuring effective management of socio-economic, defense, and security affairs. This stability serves as a crucial foundation for further refining the model in the future.

However, she noted that as a novel and unprecedented model, it requires a comprehensive shift in mindset and governance methods. Challenges during implementation are inevitable, with the most significant being the uneven distribution and quality of commune-level personnel. Many officials are still adapting to the new governance model, while the substantial delegation of tasks and authority to communes demands synchronized, timely, and uninterrupted execution—a considerable challenge for officials and civil servants.

To ensure the two-tier local government model operates efficiently, the top priority—the “key of keys”—is restructuring and enhancing the quality of commune-level officials and civil servants. As the tier closest to the people, handling the most procedures and facing the most pressure, this level is where the new model’s effectiveness is most evident.

Therefore, a fundamental shift in governance mindset is essential, moving from “management and administration” to “local governance.” Commune-level officials and civil servants must go beyond daily administrative tasks to focus on sustainable development, prioritizing citizens, fostering democracy, and mobilizing community strength, with digital transformation as the foundation.

Regarding legal framework and clear delegation, the Government continues to review and refine foundational documents, adjusting and supplementing delegation to ensure tasks suitable for communes are assigned, while unsuitable ones are revised.

“I am confident that when communes become stronger, understand the law and the people, work more deeply and proactively, we will achieve breakthroughs at the grassroots level—a critical factor for the success of the two-tier local government model,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.

Reducing Provinces to 34: A Historic and Strategic Decision

Recently, social media has spread rumors of further consolidating 34 provinces and cities into 16. Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra refuted this, stating the information is false and baseless.

She stressed that reducing provinces to 34 was a historic and strategic decision, meticulously researched by the Party, National Assembly, and Government based on development philosophy, science, geography, culture, history, and practical considerations, ensuring long-term stability. This aligns with development trends, creating a foundation for the nation’s rapid and sustainable growth in the new era of prosperity, civilization, and happiness.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, reorganizing administrative units and implementing the two-tier local government model is a comprehensive, synchronized, and thorough reform of both institutions and governance methods. It revolutionizes organizational structures, expands development space, ensures lean operations, reduces intermediary layers, and conserves societal resources.

“This model is currently operating smoothly, aiming for efficiency and effectiveness to better serve the people and drive national development,” she affirmed.