After finalizing the plans to merge wards and communes across the country, the question of how to name them appropriately to the new context of society and traditional culture while still pleasing the people is becoming a controversial topic.
The majority opinion is inclined towards using historical place names, or names with deep cultural significance instead of numbering, or following the mechanical directions of East, West, South, North... Because names are not only identifiers but also show origin, spiritual attachment, and are especially valuable in building destination brands.
Many people and even experts are concerned that this name change will cause many areas with unique history, culture and destinations to be "submerged". However, the final decision is still being "weighed" by local authorities before completing the dossier to submit to the Government before May 1, 2025.
Naming from core heritage
Ms. Pham Mai, a retired army colonel and head of a residential group in Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, believes that names like Ward 1, Ward 2, etc., or names based on directions, do not contain any stories related to culture or history, nor do they help to identify the brand of the locality in the long term. This mechanical way of naming may be convenient for short-term management, but it is not symbolic for the community.
According to her, in reality, there is a mentality of wanting to limit “conflicts” of viewpoints and avoid complications, so some authorities choose the safe way. This leads to a departure from the basic principles when naming administrative units such as: names often contain or originate from specific characteristics of geographical location; contain historical and traditional cultural elements; or also convey wishes for future development...
Many opinions say that naming new communes and wards is difficult, but not difficult if we demonstrate a sense of responsibility based on cultural understanding and knowing how to listen... Because if we just do things easily, the consequences will be unpredictable and future generations will "bear the consequences."
Some cultural experts share the view that choosing a name that is both scientific and preserves identity while creating high consensus among the people is a problem that needs to be solved with both sophistication and vision.
According to the Standing Member of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education, Associate Professor, Doctor Bui Hoai Son, the naming method that most people agree on always starts with empathy and respect for the past. In localities whose names are deeply ingrained in the community's consciousness, retaining these titles is not only a way to protect heritage but also a commitment by the government to always listen to and preserve historical values.
It is worth mentioning that a place name that is named from the depth of culture will evoke pride, connect and arouse the spirit of community development. A valuable name is not just a name, but can be the glue that connects the past-present-future, a bridge between merged regions, a clever way for each locality to promote itself to the whole country and the world.
Therefore, through discussions with reporters of VietnamPlus Electronic Newspaper, tourism experts and CEOs of a number of tourism businesses all expressed the view that in order to build and position brand image, attract investment, promote destinations and develop cultural industries, a meaningful and unique name is an advantage.
Because names that are imbued with such core values will always inspire and be deeply imprinted in the mind, so that each name reminds visitors of a story associated with the history and culture of that land, and becomes the pride of every local person.
Pioneering "bright spots"
While some localities are still confused about finalizing plans, the naming of the five new wards that Da Lat city has just announced has received many positive reviews, because each name is closely associated with the history, culture and geographical characteristics of the city of thousands of flowers.
It is expected that these five new wards will be named: Xuan Huong Ward - Da Lat; Cam Ly Ward - Da Lat; Lam Vien Ward - Da Lat; Xuan Truong Ward - Da Lat; Lang Biang Ward - Da Lat (based on the merger of Ward 7, Da Lat city with Lac Duong town and Lat commune of Lac Duong district).
It can be seen that a place that contains a clear flow of urban memories with many famous landscapes like Da Lat, local leaders had to consider carefully when deciding that the name of each place name is associated with the famous international geographical indication of Da Lat. Because before that, in 2023, this city was recognized by UNESCO as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of music.
In addition, the geographical indication of Da Lat is also a major brand of the flower and agricultural industry with exclusive trademark protection. Therefore, adding it after the ward names is to maintain the advantage for the wards that are arranged later.
The combination of a name that is imbued with local cultural identity with a modern administrative name helps Dalat retain its soul, while facilitating administrative management and tourism development. This is also a naming method that is in line with the world trend, while preserving local cultural identity and meeting the needs of modern development and integration.
Furthermore, through the new naming, the government and people of Da Lat have helped the younger generation and tourists better understand the origin of this land through a name that respects the history, culture and regional characteristics; at the same time, it shows the desire to soon affirm a prestigious brand in many fields of economy, culture, tourism...
Also choosing the same approach as the city of thousands of flowers, recently, Ho Chi Minh City named its new administrative units after the rearrangement after old place names that were deeply rooted in the subconscious of the people. Because names like Gia Dinh, Cho Lon, An Dong, Hoc Mon, Ba Diem... have been anchored in the mind and helped people remember the appearance of an entire land.
Similarly, Quang Nam also chose to use new commune and ward names associated with historical relics and cultural sediments that represent each region as desired by the majority of voters, instead of numbering or orienting as in the original plan.
Thanks to that, many old names of lands and villages with symbolic meaning that have entered the history and life of many generations of Quang people have been used to name new ones such as: Go Noi (Dien Ban town); Chu Lai (Nui Thanh district); Huong Tra, Ban Thach (Tam Ky city)... Familiar place names such as My Son, Vu Gia, Thu Bon, Go Noi, Ben Giang, Cho Duoc, Binh Duong... have also been named for new communes.
There is not much time left to submit the proposal for naming new communes and wards after the merger to the Central Government, but "examples" such as Da Lat, Ho Chi Minh City, Quang Nam... will contribute to suggesting each locality to listen more to the opinions of the people and public opinion to make appropriate adjustments, ensuring a long-term vision, as well as not "submerging" core values.
“Let's name with heart, with empathy and with the aspiration to build a sustainable future on the foundation of memory and identity,” Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Hoai Son emphasized./.
According to Decision 759/QD-TTg issued on April 14, 2025 on approving the Project on rearranging and reorganizing administrative units at all levels and building a 2-level local government organization model, the first principle to determine the name is that the naming of administrative units after rearrangement must be carefully and thoroughly researched, carefully considering traditional, historical and cultural factors.
The name of the new administrative unit is given priority to use one of the names of the administrative units before the merger, in order to minimize the impact on people and businesses due to having to convert documents and geographical indications related to provincial-level administrative units.
The name of the new administrative unit needs to be easy to identify, short, easy to read, easy to remember, ensure systematicity, scientificity, promote the comparative advantages of the locality, and be consistent with the integration trend...
Naming communes and wards according to ordinal numbers or according to the names of district-level administrative units (before arrangement) with ordinal numbers attached is the 5th principle in this Decision.
Besides, there are also some other principles such as creating consensus among local people; contributing to preserving and promoting historical values, traditions, culture and the spirit of solidarity of the people towards the new administrative unit after the arrangement...
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/lich-su-van-hoa-diem-den-lieu-co-bi-nhan-chim-sau-dat-lai-ten-xa-phuong-post1034765.vnp
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