The noteworthy proposal would require over 50% of residents to approve the concept of a merger before an official consolidation plan for provinces or communes can even be drafted.
HANOI, November 11, 2025 – In a significant move towards strengthening public consensus in governance, a noteworthy proposal has been introduced in Vietnam that could fundamentally reshape its ongoing administrative reforms.
The new measure stipulates that any future merger of administrative units spanning both high-level provinces and grassroots-level communes must first secure over 50% approval from the local residents.
Crucially, this public referendum would act as a prerequisite. Only after this simple majority is achieved can authorities formally begin the process of "drafting the scheme" (lập đề án), which involves the complex technical, budgetary, and logistical planning for the consolidation.
A "Bottom-Up" Green Light for a "Top-Down" Policy
This proposal marks a substantial procedural shift. Vietnam is currently in the midst of a multi-year national campaign to streamline its vast administrative apparatus. The goal has been to merge smaller, inefficient districts and communes to reduce bureaucracy, cut costs, and improve the effectiveness of local government.
Historically, this process has been largely driven by top-down directives based on criteria like population size and geographic area. While public opinion is consulted, this new proposal would embed public consent at the very beginning of the process, not as a final step.
Why This Proposal is 'Noteworthy'
The significance of this proposal lies in its potential to act as a "democratic brake" on reforms. It effectively gives the local populace veto power before the state invests significant time and resources into developing a merger plan that might ultimately face strong local opposition.
Key implications of the proposal:
Empowers Local Voices: It places the will of the local people at the forefront of a major administrative decision that directly impacts their identity, access to public services, and local culture.
Prevents Wasted Resources: It stops unpopular merger plans from moving forward, ensuring that bureaucratic efforts are focused only on consolidations that have a clear public mandate.
Addresses Local Identity: Merging administrative units is often a sensitive topic, as provinces and communes have deep historical and cultural identities. This rule would ensure that "efficiency" does not needlessly override "identity" against the public's will.
As Vietnam continues to balance economic efficiency with social stability, this proposal is being seen as a key indicator of a more responsive and consensus-oriented approach to governance. The proposal will now move forward for further debate and deliberation by lawmakers.