When the commune takes on the pressure of the city.

(Baohatinh.vn) - Following the reorganization of administrative units, many towns in Ha Tinh have been transformed into communes. The names have changed, but the urban pace of life and the pressures remain significant, necessitating effective management and ensuring livelihoods.

Management gaps after administrative unit reorganization

Before implementing the two-tiered local government model, Ha Tinh had 17 urban areas ranging from type II to type IV – development centers of each region.

Following the reorganization, many towns were transformed into commune-level units. According to Resolution 111 dated December 24, 2025, of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly , these areas will continue to be recognized as urban areas during the transitional period. However, the re-classification of urban areas has not yet been completed, creating a certain legal gap.

Can Loc Commune Administrative Center (formerly Nghen town).

Mr. To Thai Hoa, Deputy Director of the Department of Construction of Ha Tinh province, stated: "Currently, the biggest gap is the lack of legal regulations on urban areas within communes, leading to difficulties in the preparation of general commune planning. Urban areas that have not been officially declared are also classified, making management difficult, especially in applying criteria and mechanisms suitable for each locality."

The gaps are not limited to legal aspects; they are also evident in organizational structure and implementation. After transitioning from towns to communes, many localities no longer fully apply urban management mechanisms, lacking specialized departments, while the workload continues to increase.

Mr. Phan Thanh Nghi, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Cam Xuyen commune, said: "We face difficulties in handling violations due to a lack of tools and sufficiently strong sanctions. Many cases only result in warnings."

Meanwhile, local governments – originally designed for rural administration – are now shouldering additional urban responsibilities, from construction regulations and environmental protection to traffic safety. This mismatch between the mechanism and reality means that management has not kept pace with the demands.

Pressure from "cities in the guise of societies"

The administrative designation has changed, but the urban characteristics remain. This "incomplete transition" means these areas simultaneously possess rural features and operate like urban areas, leading to numerous pressures on daily life.

Street vending and makeshift markets encroaching on sidewalks and roads are common sights in former town centers of rural areas.

In Can Loc commune, after the merger, the population increased more than threefold, and commercial activity remained vibrant. However, many streets lacked coordinated management: sidewalks were encroached upon, temporary markets sprung up, and waste accumulated…

Mr. Le Van Duan, Secretary of the Party Branch of Hamlet 6, Can Loc Commune, shared: “The name has changed, but the way of life of the people remains the same. In Hamlet 6, only 4 households are engaged in agricultural production; the rest are retired officials and business owners. Their livelihoods depend on the main roads for trading, thus easily leading to traffic safety violations.”

Similarly, in Thach Ha commune, urban features are still clearly visible with densely packed houses, convenient transportation, and bustling commerce. However, just by turning a small corner, one can encounter overgrown weeds and garbage piled up on the sidewalks in front of former, now-defunct, offices.

In front of the dissolved government offices in Thach Ha commune, weeds grow profusely, and the sidewalks have become dumping grounds for garbage.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Hoa, a resident of Hamlet 7, Thach Ha Commune, said: "There are areas that were previously regularly managed, but now they are left unattended and are deteriorating rapidly. Urban management after the transformation has also not kept pace with reality."

These shortcomings are no longer isolated incidents, but have become common "bottlenecks" in communes that were formerly towns. In Cam Xuyen commune, the road connecting National Highway 1 to Thien Cam beach, a new infrastructure project expected to boost tourism development, is being encroached upon, affecting traffic safety. Significantly, this situation is not isolated but occurs on many roads, persisting for a long time and difficult to control.

The problem of traffic lanes being encroached upon is occurring on many roads, is persistent, and difficult to control.

In reality, local governments, originally designed for rural management, are now shouldering additional urban responsibilities, from construction regulations to environmental protection and traffic. However, management isn't everything. According to Mr. Tran Viet Hieu, Head of the Department of Physical Education, Sports and Family Management (Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism): "People's awareness is the decisive factor. If each individual doesn't adjust their behavior, it will be very difficult to build a civilized way of life."

When encroachment on sidewalks, littering, and misuse of roadways are still considered minor issues, urban order is unlikely to be sustainable.

However, behind these violations lies not only a lack of awareness but also the pressure of making a living. Many households engage in sidewalk vending because they have no other choice. This creates an "overlapping zone" between the demands of management and the basic needs of the people.

Along with accelerating the completion of infrastructure, Huong Khe commune is also considering replanning commercial activities along the main roads.

Administrative unit transformation is not just a change in geographical boundaries, but also a change in management thinking and the organization of social life. Mr. Nguyen Truong Tho, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Huong Khe commune, shared: "We need long-term solutions that both ensure order and create stable livelihoods for the people. At the same time, we need to encourage small-scale traders to move into the market, gradually replanning their business activities once the infrastructure is completed."

In reality, campaigns to restore urban order only yield short-term results. When the root of the problem remains unresolved, violations continue to recur. Experts suggest that a specific management mechanism is needed for "semi-urban, semi-rural" areas, along with the replanning of business spaces and the creation of sustainable livelihoods, rather than simply imposing prohibitions.

The overall provincial planning must be completed, linked with the planning of newly established communes. Regulations on urban architectural management should be issued to effectively manage urban areas. A plan for urban classification should be developed to serve as a basis for classifying and recognizing urban areas, facilitating management. For communes that meet the criteria for upgrading to wards, guidance should be included in the provincial planning, and simultaneously incorporated into the urban development program and the creation of appropriate general plans. From there, urban space should be reorganized in a scientific manner, consistent with the practical transformation; meeting the livelihood needs of the people while ensuring order, aesthetics, and sustainable development.

Mr. To Thai Hoa - Deputy Director of the Department of Construction of Ha Tinh Province

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/khi-xa-ganh-ap-luc-pho-post308541.html