Residents of An Ninh hamlet participate in providing feedback on the plan for rearranging and merging hamlets within the commune. Photo: DUC TOAN
From July 1st, 2025, O Lam commune was formed by merging the entire area and population of three communes: O Lam, An Tuc, and Luong Phi. With a natural area of 99.5 km² and a population of over 37,000 people, the merged O Lam commune is a mountainous, border area with a strategically important location. More than 65% of the commune's population are Khmer people living together harmoniously and unitedly.
However, the current model of 18 hamlets, which is mechanically inherited from the old administrative boundaries, is revealing limitations and shortcomings. The area is large, the population is scattered, and many hamlets have too few households, failing to meet the new population size standards. The fragmentation of administrative units leads to a surplus of non-specialized personnel, spreading public investment resources thinly. Simultaneously, it hinders the digitization of residential data, the deployment of online public services, and the management of land and forest protection.
Chairman of the People's Committee of O Lam Commune, Phan Thanh Luong, affirmed that the reorganization of hamlets is not simply a mechanical reduction in the number or administrative management units. The core objective is to improve the quality of operation of the grassroots political system, building a team of hamlet officials who are truly capable, reputable, and knowledgeable about the customs and traditions of the Khmer people. “When the size of the community is reasonably expanded, the State will easily concentrate resources to invest in the synchronized development of transportation infrastructure, cultural institutions, rural development, and the most effective implementation of national target programs. The People's Committee of the commune commits that the implementation process will be democratic and transparent, absolutely not affecting the legitimate rights or disrupting the stable lives of the people,” Mr. Phan Thanh Luong emphasized.
According to the merger plan, six adjacent hamlets with close geographical, production, and customary ties will be reorganized into three new hamlets. The new Ta Miet hamlet will be formed by merging the entire area and population of Ta Miet and An Nhon hamlets, comprising 776 households and 3,129 inhabitants. The new O Ta Soc hamlet will be formed by merging the entire area and population of An Ninh and O Ta Soc hamlets, comprising 791 households and 3,280 inhabitants. The new Sa Lon hamlet will be established by merging the entire area and population of Ta Dung and Sa Lon hamlets, comprising 810 households and 3,195 inhabitants.
As one of the areas undergoing merger, An Nhon and Ta Miet hamlets are receiving strong support from Party members and the general public. Sharing about the preparations and the sentiments of the local people, the Party Secretary and Head of An Nhon hamlet, Trinh Van Mac, shared: “Initially, when I heard the news about the merger of An Nhon hamlet into Ta Miet hamlet, I and some other residents were a little hesitant and regretful about the old name that had been associated with us for generations. However, after being briefed on the directives from the Party Committee and the People's Committee of the commune regarding the long-term benefits, I understood that this is the right policy.”
For the residents of the two adjacent hamlets, people cross the border for trade, weddings, and cultural activities under the shade of the oil palm trees and the Khmer temple. “As the head of the Party branch and the hamlet leadership, I, along with other Party members and respected individuals, went to each household to explain in detail: Merging the hamlets will streamline the administrative apparatus, allow hamlet officials to work more efficiently, and enable residents to benefit from improved infrastructure such as electricity, roads, schools, and health stations. To date, the residents of An Nhon hamlet are all very enthusiastic and supportive of this new policy,” Mr. Trinh Van Mac further shared.
The consensus in An Nhon hamlet is the most vivid proof that the hamlet reorganization policy has won the people's hearts. To create the best conditions for voters on the day of household consultation, the O Lam commune government established many mobile working groups that went directly to each household. These working groups carried ballots and patiently explained clearly the scale, boundaries, and plan for the new hamlet office so that residents could easily and transparently exercise their right to self-governance.
Following the successful merger, the number of hamlets in O Lam commune will be reduced from 18 to 15. This will significantly save annual recurrent budget expenditures, allowing for direct reinvestment in digital infrastructure, community cultural centers, and social welfare projects. Administrative boundaries, residential data, land records, and civil registration will be synchronously updated by specialized agencies, ensuring minimal inconvenience for citizens when carrying out administrative procedures. Simultaneously, the national defense and people's security posture in ethnic minority and mountainous areas will be further strengthened.
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/nguoi-dan-o-lam-dong-thuan-sap-xep-ap-a490404.html
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