Vietnam’s National Assembly has made a historic move to reshape the nation’s administrative landscape. On Thursday, lawmakers approved a resolution to merge provincial-level units, cutting the number of provinces and cities from 63 down to 34.
According to reports from the Vietnam News Agency, the government has outlined plans to combine 52 provinces into 23 new administrative regions. The new structure will consist of six centrally governed cities and 28 provinces, and it takes effect immediately.
This significant restructuring aims to streamline governance and improve efficiency. Official statistics show that these reorganized provinces are home to over 447,000 civil servants. With the new administrative boundaries, the government plans to review payrolls and reduce staff by 250,000 positions.
The cost savings from these changes are substantial. Between 2026 and 2030, Vietnam expects to save over 190 trillion Vietnam dong. These funds could be redirected towards development projects and public services that benefit the population.
Local governments in the newly formed provinces are set to begin operations on July 1. The central government will oversee transitional measures and address any issues to ensure a smooth implementation of the new system.
This bold initiative reflects Vietnam’s commitment to modernization and efficient governance. By reducing administrative overlap, the country aims to build a dynamic governmental structure that better serves its citizens.
