Vietnam’s Map in Motion: The Provincial Reorganisation Drive

On 12 June 2025, the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam officially enacted Resolution No. 202/2025/QH15, a landmark decision that profoundly reorganises Vietnam's provincial-level administrative units (Resolution 202). Effective immediately upon its issuance, Resolution 202 ushers in a comprehensive reorganisation of the nation's territory and population distribution at the provincial level.

In the wake of this major reorganisation, the national administrative structure now encompasses thirty-four (34) provincial-level units. This total includes twenty-eight (28) provinces and six (6) centrally governed municipalities (Hanoi City, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong City, Hue City, Da Nang City, and Can Tho City). Notably, 19 provinces and four (4) cities have been newly formed through mergers and administrative reorganisation. Meanwhile, the administrative structure of eleven (11) provinces and cities remains unchanged: Cao Bang province, Dien Bien province, Ha Tinh province, Lai Chau province, Lang Son province, Nghe An province, Quang Ninh province, Thanh Hoa province, Son La province, Hanoi City, and Hue City.

Resolution 202 further stipulates that all relevant authorities must promptly complete the necessary preparations to ensure that the newly established local governments are fully operational by 1 July 2025. In the interim, the local governments of the previously existing provinces and cities shall continue to perform their functions.