After reorganization, Son La city will have 4 wards.

Concretizing strategic decisions

The implementation of the rearrangement and reorganization of commune-level administrative units in Son La province aims to concretize the goals and tasks according to Resolution No. 60-NQ/TW dated April 12, 2025, of the 11th Conference of the Central Committee of the 13th Party Congress; Resolution No. 76/2025/UBTVQH15 dated April 14, 2025, of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on the rearrangement of administrative units in 2025; Resolution No. 74/NQ-CP dated April 7, 2025, of the Government promulgating the Plan for implementing the rearrangement of administrative units and building a two-level local government organizational model; and other relevant documents from competent authorities.

Ms. Luong Thi Nhu Hoa, Director of the Department of Internal Affairs, stated: Recognizing the significance and importance of reorganizing commune-level administrative units, the Department has proactively advised and submitted to competent authorities various plans for reorganizing commune-level administrative units in the province, including plans to reduce the number of existing commune-level administrative units by 70%, 80%, or 50%. Based on Resolution No. 60-NQ/TW of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Resolution No. 76/2025/UBTVQH15 of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on the reorganization of administrative units in 2025, the Provincial Party Committee issued Conclusion No. 1590-KL/TU dated April 28, 2025, according to which Son La province will reorganize 193 commune-level administrative units into 68 communes and wards (including 60 communes and 8 wards) and retain 7 communes. After the reorganization, Son La province is expected to have 75 commune-level administrative units (8 wards and 67 communes).)This reduces the number of commune-level administrative units by 125 (including 110 communes, 7 wards, and 8 towns), a decrease of 62.5% in the number of existing commune-level administrative units in the province.

Meeting of the Provincial Party Committee's Steering Committee 398 on restructuring and streamlining the organizational apparatus in the political system. (Photo: PV)

During the process of developing the plan for reorganizing commune-level administrative units, the Party Committee and the government of Son La province always adhered to the Constitution and current legal regulations. Accordingly, the reorganized commune-level administrative units must ensure that the local government at the commune level effectively manages the area, has a firm grasp of the situation, is close to the people, and serves the people in the best possible way. The reorganization of commune-level administrative units is carried out for units with similar historical and cultural traditions; adjacent geographical locations; and suitable scale, potential, advantages, and level of economic development.

In Son La province, the reorganization of commune-level administrative units also takes into account factors such as natural conditions, transportation infrastructure, and the distribution and organization of economic spaces to ensure the maximum utilization of the potential and advantages of each locality's economic development, and to support each other in promoting the overall socio-economic development of the reorganized administrative units.

Carefully consider factors such as the level and management capacity of local Party committees and authorities, the degree of digital transformation, and the application of information technology by local authorities and the people; ensure national defense and security requirements, build a solid defense zone in key areas and border regions; preserve and promote the historical, cultural, and ethnic traditions of each locality; and ensure national defense, security, social order and safety, and socio-economic development in the locality.

The implementation of the policy to organize a two-tiered government apparatus and reorganize commune-level administrative units in Son La province has been carried out in accordance with local realities, receiving strong support, trust, and agreement from the people.

Agreement and trust in the restructuring plan.

According to the current Law on Organization of Local Government, the plan for reorganizing commune-level administrative units must involve soliciting public opinion in the administrative units directly affected. This public consultation is a crucial and deeply meaningful aspect; it promotes democracy, allowing each citizen to directly participate in the administrative unit reorganization process for the common development of their homeland and country.

Based on the opinion of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, from April 17 to 19, in 2,114 villages, hamlets, sub-districts, and residential areas of 193 communes, wards, and towns directly involved in the reorganization of commune-level administrative units, conferences were held to gather public opinions on the policy of reorganizing commune-level administrative units. The process of gathering public opinions was carried out through the distribution of opinion ballots to representatives of household voters, ensuring transparency, democracy, and objectivity.

Voters in sub-district 6, Quang Huy town, Phu Yen district, unanimously voted in favor of the plan to rearrange and reorganize the commune-level administrative units. Photo by PV.

According to the summary results of the Department of Internal Affairs, the people in the 193 commune-level administrative units subject to reorganization have shown strong support and consensus for the policy and plan for reorganizing commune-level administrative units. Specifically: The total number of voters representing households participating in the consultation was 262,078, accounting for 93.58% of the total number of households in 193 out of 200 commune-level administrative units directly involved in the reorganization; the approval rate was 93.16%.

The consensus and support of the vast majority of the people is an important prerequisite for Son La to continue implementing the major policy of the Party and the State on reorganizing commune-level administrative units to meet the requirements of expanding the development space of commune-level administrative units while still ensuring local rights at the grassroots level are close to the people, serving the people; aiming towards building a two-tiered local government model.

Moc Chau town is one of the localities with a high approval rate, at 99.07%. Mr. Trang A Tua, Party Secretary and Head of Phieng Cai village, Long Sap commune, Moc Chau town, shared: "The people of Phieng Cai border village unanimously agree with the rearrangement of commune-level administrative units. We believe that the policy of rearranging commune-level administrative units will expand the development space of the locality. Phieng Cai village, together with the Party Committee, government, and people of Long Sap commune, Moc Chau town, will promote the spirit of solidarity and work together to build a more developed homeland, bringing a peaceful and prosperous life to the people."

According to the proposed plan, Muong Bu commune in Muong La district is expected to merge with Muong Chum and Ta Bu communes. Recognizing that reducing administrative layers and streamlining the apparatus will create resources for rural infrastructure development, the officials and employees working in these localities are all enthusiastic and supportive.

Mr. Ca Van Don, Chairman of the People's Committee of Muong Bu Commune, said: "Officials, Party members, and the people in the commune agree with and support the policy and plan for rearranging the commune-level administrative units, because this is a correct policy for the overall development of the country and for better care of the people's lives. We believe that the new commune apparatus after the rearrangement will quickly stabilize its organization and operate effectively; continuing to lead the people in socio-economic development and building an increasingly prosperous and beautiful homeland."

The 30th special session of the 15th Provincial People's Council approved a Resolution on the policy of rearranging commune-level administrative units in Son La province. (Photo: PV)

Based on the results of public consultations, the Department of Internal Affairs, in coordination with relevant agencies and units, finalized the Provincial People's Committee's plan for the reorganization of commune-level administrative units. Simultaneously, it advised the Provincial People's Committee to issue a document requesting the People's Committees of districts and communes to submit the plan to the People's Councils at the same level for consideration and voting on the principle of reorganizing commune-level administrative units in their respective areas. As a result, 193 out of 193 commune-level People's Councils; 12 out of 12 district-level People's Councils; and the Provincial People's Council held sessions and issued resolutions on the principle of reorganizing commune-level administrative units in the districts, cities, and towns (100% of People's Council representatives at all levels who attended voted in favor of the principle).

Son La City will reorganize 12 communes and wards into 4 wards, reducing the number of existing commune-level administrative units by 66.7%. Comrade Ha Trung Chien, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Secretary of the City Party Committee, informed that cadres, Party members, and the people of the city highly agree with the plan to reorganize commune-level administrative units. Based on the actual staffing levels, individual aspirations, job positions, and professional training, the Standing Committee and the Executive Committee of the City Party Committee have agreed on a proposed plan for the arrangement of cadres, civil servants, and public employees in the new administrative units (after reorganization), including those cadres under the purview of the City Party Standing Committee. Cadres and Party members in the city consistently uphold a high sense of responsibility, focusing on fulfilling assigned tasks and are ready to undertake new assignments when given the opportunity.

The conference was held to gather opinions on the proposed arrangement of officials and civil servants in the new administrative unit of Son La City. (Photo: PV)

 

On May 2, 2025, the Ministry of Interior submitted to the Government the plan for reorganizing commune-level administrative units in Son La province. According to Government Plan No. 74/KH-CP, before May 30, 2025, the Government will finalize the plan for reorganizing provincial and commune-level administrative units and submit it to the National Assembly and the Standing Committee of the National Assembly for consideration and approval.

The Resolution on the reorganization of commune-level administrative units in Son La province is expected to take effect from July 1, 2025. With a tight timeframe and a large volume of work, the province is currently focusing on disseminating information, raising awareness, and fostering unity among officials, Party members, and consensus within the political system and among all segments of the local population regarding the continued streamlining of organizational structures, the reorganization of administrative units, and the two-tiered local government structure.

Ms. Luong Thi Nhu Hoa, Director of the Department of Internal Affairs, added: The Department of Internal Affairs focuses on advising and submitting to competent authorities several important issues such as: the plan for organizing specialized departments under the 75 newly established People's Committees of communes and wards; rearranging public service units in the fields of education and training, health; communication and culture; district-level investment project management boards, land development centers, etc. Implementing regimes and policies for redundant officials, civil servants, and non-specialized personnel at the commune level (if any) due to the rearrangement and reorganization of administrative units. Reviewing, revising, and supplementing records and maps of administrative boundaries at the commune level, classifying administrative units at the commune level. Guiding the implementation of policies for people with meritorious services, handing over archived records in the province, and other contents according to assigned functions and tasks…

With the utmost effort and determination of the entire political system, and the strong support and consensus of all sectors of the population, we are confident that Son La province will successfully implement the major policies of the Party and State on reorganizing commune-level administrative units, building a two-tiered local government model, and creating a streamlined, efficient, and effective local government apparatus, thereby driving socio-economic development and improving people's lives.

Viet Anh