Vietnam’s Administrative Reform – July 2025

Vietnam’s Administrative Reform – July 2025

Article from : 24 septembre 2025 - Last update : 24 septembre 2025

In July 2025, Vietnam will undergo its most significant administrative reform in decades. The country will move from 63 provinces to 34 provincial-level units, while the district level (quận / huyện) will be abolished. From now on, Vietnam will operate under a two-tier administrative system: province and commune (xã in rural areas, phường in urban areas).

This transformation is based on Decision 19/2025/QĐ-TTg, signed by the Prime Minister on June 30, 2025, which officially redefines Vietnam’s administrative boundaries.

Key Changes

• Provinces and Provincial Cities
  Several provinces have been merged, creating larger administrative entities. For example, Ho Chi Minh City has been expanded to incorporate neighboring areas, strengthening its role as both a city and a provincial-level unit.

• Abolition of Districts
  The intermediate level of administration — districts (quận / huyện) — will be removed nationwide. All governance will now be handled directly at the provincial and communal levels.

• Communes and Wards
  Communal-level units (communes, towns, and wards) are also being consolidated. Their number will be significantly reduced, streamlining local administration and cutting redundant structures.

Example: Ho Chi Minh City

In Ho Chi Minh City, the reform entails a major restructuring of urban space. Some former districts will be reorganized into larger wards, with Saigon officially recognized as the city center. This new configuration aims to better reflect the city’s historical identity and its role as Vietnam’s main economic hub.

Objectives of the Reform

This large-scale reorganization pursues several key goals:

• Streamline bureaucracy by removing one administrative level.

• Improve efficiency in service delivery and local governance.

• Reduce costs by consolidating overlapping administrative units.

• Strengthen provincial governments, giving them more authority and capacity to plan socio-economic development.

• Enhance transparency and accountability in public administration.

A Turning Point for Vietnam

Vietnam’s administrative reform of 2025 marks a decisive step toward modernization. By simplifying its structure, the government hopes to make the state apparatus more agile, responsive, and capable of meeting the challenges of rapid urbanization and economic growth.

The long-term success of this reform will depend on its implementation at the local level, as well as the ability of new provincial governments to balance efficiency with responsiveness to citizens’ needs.

Google Maps is not up to date, so you can see the new administrative divisions on this map :
https://sapnhap.bando.com.vn/