The merger of provinces, cities, districts, towns, and communes in Vietnam is a large-scale administrative reform aimed at optimizing the government apparatus and aligning it with the country’s new development reality. According to the Resolutions passed by the National Assembly, starting from July 1, 2025, numerous administrative units will be reorganized and merged to form new entities. Below is a detailed summary to help citizens and businesses understand the latest administrative restructuring plan for the 2023–2025 period.

1. Merger of Centrally Governed Provinces and Cities

According to the latest National Assembly Resolution, the number of centrally governed provinces and cities in Vietnam will be reduced from 63 to 34. Several provinces will be merged to form new administrative units with larger populations and stronger financial resources, aiming to boost regional socio-economic development. For example:

• Hà Giang + Tuyên Quang → Tuyên Quang Province
• Lào Cai + Yên Bái → Lào Cai Province
• Phú Thọ + Vĩnh Phúc + Hòa Bình → Phú Thọ Province
• Hải Dương + Hải Phòng → Hải Phòng City
• Đà Nẵng + Quảng Nam → Đà Nẵng City
• Ho Chi Minh City + Bình Dương + Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu → Expanded Ho Chi Minh City

2. Merger of Districts, Towns, and Cities

District-level mergers will occur nationwide, particularly in provinces with low population density or fragmented administrative planning. The plan will be implemented based on criteria such as population size, natural area, and number of subordinate units. Following the merger, many districts will be restructured to support long-term development in industry, tourism, and public services.

3. Merger of Communes and Wards

By July 1, 2025, the total number of commune-level administrative units will be reduced to 3,321 (including 2,636 communes, 672 wards, and 13 townships)—a reduction of over 60%. Many small-population communes will be merged to form more appropriately sized units. Wards in major cities will also be reviewed to improve administrative efficiency and support the development of modern, smart urban areas.

4. Direct Impacts of the Merger

• Reduce operating costs for local governments, optimizing human and financial resources.
• Create larger provinces and cities that are more attractive to investment, providing new momentum for regional development.
• Accelerate infrastructure planning and promote connected economic zones to meet the demands of global integration.

5. Key Notes for Citizens and Businesses

• Update business registration certificates, land use rights certificates, and personal documents to match the new administrative boundaries.
• Verify new administrative jurisdictions to identify the correct authorities for registration and procedural matters.
• Contact a lawyer or consulting firm early to ensure compliance with legal requirements during the administrative transition.

6. When Will It Be Implemented?

The merger and reorganization of provinces, cities, districts, and communes will follow a phased schedule starting January 1, 2025, and must be completed by July 1, 2025. After that date, all registration documents, administrative procedures, tax codes, and business registrations will be updated to reflect the new boundaries. Government agencies, financial institutions, and banks will integrate all relevant information according to the new administrative structure to serve citizens and businesses effectively.