Develop a plan for utilizing surplus office space to avoid waste.

Along with 33 other provinces and cities nationwide that have undergone mergers and reorganizations, Quang Ninh has piloted a two-tiered government system. The province has also directed localities to develop plans and strategies for the efficient use of public assets and surplus office buildings after the mergers and reorganizations of communes and wards, and the abolition of district-level governments, with the motto of avoiding waste.

Báo Quảng Ninh•19/06/2025

Implementing the policy of merging and reorganizing two-level administrative units, Quang Ninh province reorganized 171 units into 54 commune-level administrative units, including 30 wards, 22 communes, and 2 special zones: Van Don and Co To. This resulted in a reduction of 117 units, achieving 66.67% of the target set by the central government.

Currently, Quang Ninh province is conducting a pilot program of a two-tiered local government model throughout the province until June 30th. Based on the experience gained from this pilot program, the province and its wards and communes will learn from the experience, address difficulties and limitations, and make timely adjustments to ensure the smooth operation of the two-tiered government, especially at the commune level, from the official launch date of July 1st, 2025.

Along with preparing the best conditions in terms of infrastructure, headquarters, equipment, and staffing of officials and civil servants... to ensure the stable operation of commune-level governments, Quang Ninh also directed localities to review, arrange, and plan for the handling and use of surplus public assets and headquarters.

Before the merger and reorganization, Quang Ninh had a total of 376 working offices at the district and commune levels. After the establishment of the two-tiered government, 228 offices continued to be used, while 148 offices became redundant (123 offices were no longer in use, and alternative solutions were proposed for 25 offices).

Following the reorganization and merger of communes, and the abolition of district-level administrations, Quang Ninh province has implemented and proposed two solutions for handling surplus and unused office buildings and land: prioritizing conversion to medical facilities, educational institutions , or other public purposes of the locality; and transferring the office buildings and land to local organizations responsible for managing and operating real estate. Quang Ninh province has also issued guidelines on reviewing, inventorying, and assessing the quality and usage needs of these surplus assets and office buildings.

To contribute to the stable, smooth, and efficient operation of the two-tiered government system, the Ministry of Finance requests that provinces and cities urgently complete the handling of surplus public assets before July 1, 2025. No later than June 30, district-level administrative agencies must complete the handover of their headquarters, public assets, and related documents to the competent receiving unit. This handover aims to avoid disruptions in state management, minimize asset losses, and ensure that public service provision is not affected. After receiving the assets, the responsible agencies will prepare documents to submit to the Provincial People's Committee for a decision on assigning the assets to the managing and using unit. From July 1, 2025, the newly formed Provincial People's Committees after mergers and consolidations will inherit all the powers and responsibilities of the former provinces and cities. Surplus housing and land facilities allocated to land development organizations or local housing management units must be put into proper use and exploitation, avoiding waste and vacancy.

With a detailed review and inventory of public assets and surplus office buildings, along with guidance on specific handling and utilization plans, it is certain that Quang Ninh province in general, and the communes and wards after mergers and reorganizations in particular, will manage and utilize surplus assets and office buildings promptly and effectively, avoiding waste.

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