According to the new regulations, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are special provincial administrative units; the remaining centrally-run cities are type I provincial administrative units. Provinces are divided into three types: type I, type II and type III. Communes are divided into three types: type I, type II and type III. Wards and special zones are divided into four types: special type, type I, type II and type III.
Four criteria for classifying administrative units
The Decree stipulates that the classification of administrative units is carried out by the scoring method. The administrative unit classification score is the total score achieved for the administrative unit classification criteria, up to a maximum of 100 points, and priority points (if any). The score of each criterion is rounded to two decimal places.
Criteria for classifying administrative units include: Criteria on population size; criteria on natural area; criteria on socio -economic development conditions; and specific criteria.
The Decree clearly states that in case a criterion is achieved at a level that is eligible for additional points, the additional points will be calculated as a percentage of the difference compared to the level that is eligible for additional points for that criterion.
Wards and special zones are classified as special when they have a total score of 90 points or more (excluding priority points), have a large population and natural area, and meet the priority criteria according to regulations.
An administrative unit is classified as Type I when its total score is 75 points or more, except for wards and special zones that are classified as special.
An administrative unit is classified as type II when its total score is from 60 points to less than 75 points.
Administrative units scoring below 60 points are classified as category III.
Classification criteria and scoring method for administrative unit classification
The Decree clearly stipulates the classification criteria and how to calculate the classification score of administrative units of provinces, communes, wards and special zones.
Specifically for provincial administrative units, the Decree stipulates the classification criteria and how to calculate classification scores as follows:
About population size:
Provinces with 2,000,000 people or less are given 10 points; for more than 2,000,000 people, for every additional 60,000 people, an additional 0.5 point is given, but not more than 25 points;
Mountainous provinces apply the 75% rate specified in point a.
For natural area of 8,000km2 or less, 10 points are counted, for more than 8,000km2 , every additional 200km2 is counted as 0.5 points, but not more than 25 points.
On socio-economic development conditions:
If the rate of revenue distribution to the central budget is 10% or less, it is counted as 8 points; if it is more than 10%, every additional 1% is counted as 0.25 points, but not more than 10 points.
In case there is no ratio regulating the revenue divided to the central budget, if the local budget revenue enjoyed according to decentralization compared to the total local budget balance expenditure is 50% or less, 3 points will be counted; if more than 50%, for every additional 5%, 0.5 points will be counted, but not more than 8 points.
The proportion of industry, construction and services in the economic structure of 70% or less is counted as 1 point; for more than 70%, every additional 5% is counted as 0.5 point, but not more than 3 points.
Economic growth rate of 7% or less is counted as 1 point; over 7%, every additional 0.5% is counted as 0.25 point but not more than 3 points.
The non-agricultural labor rate of 60% or less is counted as 1 point; for more than 60%, every additional 5% is counted as 0.5 point, but not more than 3 points;
Average labor productivity growth rate of the province from 5% or less is counted as 1 point; more than 5%, every additional 0.5% is counted as 0.5 point but not more than 3 points;
Per capita income from the national average or lower is counted as 2 points; for every 5% more than the national average, an additional 0.25 point is counted, but not more than 3 points;
The rate of the labor force in the age group participating in social insurance at or below the national average rate is counted as 2 points; for every 5% higher than the national average rate, an additional 0.5 point is counted, but not exceeding 3 points;
The poverty rate according to the multidimensional poverty standard from the national average level or higher is calculated as 2 points; below the national average level, for every 0.5% decrease, an additional 0.25 point is calculated, but not more than 3 points.
The rate of population using clean water that meets standards in the province from the national average level or higher is counted as 2 points; for every 1% higher than the national average level, an additional 0.5 point is counted, but not more than 3 points.
People's Satisfaction Index with the service of provincial-level state agencies in the year immediately preceding the reporting year is included in the list of 10 highest provinces and centrally-run cities in the country announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs, which is counted as 3 points; those in the list of the next 10 provinces and cities are counted as 2 points; the remaining provinces are counted as 1 point.
The rate of administrative procedure records processed through online public services at the national average level or lower is counted as 2 points; for every 2% higher than the national average, an additional 0.25 point is counted, but not more than 3 points.
With specific elements, the Decree clearly states:
If 20% to 30% of the population is ethnic minority, 1 point is counted; if more than 30%, every additional 5% is counted, 0.25 point is counted, but not more than 2 points;
10% to 20% of commune-level administrative units with national land borders are counted as 1 point; for more than 20%, for every additional 10%, 0.5 point is counted as additional points, but not more than 2 points.
Having a special national monument or a heritage recognized by UNESCO, registration is counted as 1 point.
80 commune-level administrative units or less are counted as 2 points; for more than 80 commune-level administrative units, for every 5 additional administrative units, 0.25 points are counted as additional points, but not more than 5 points.
Authority to decide on administrative unit classification
The Decree clearly states that the Minister of Home Affairs decides to recognize the classification of provincial and ward-level administrative units and special-type special zones.
The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee decides to classify commune-level administrative units, except for the cases specified above.
The Decree takes effect from November 27, 2025.
Source: https://nhandan.vn/bo-truong-noi-vu-quyet-dinh-cong-nhan-phan-loai-don-vi-hanh-chinh-cap-tinh-va-phuong-dac-khu-loai-dac-biet-post926750.html
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