Reorganizing to 34 provinces and cities is appropriate, expanding development space.

Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Van Phuc, Vice Chairman of the Scientific Council of Central Party Agencies, former Editor-in-Chief of Communist Magazine:
Reduce provincial and commune level focal points, eliminate district level in line with general trend

The policy of arranging and streamlining the local government apparatus at two levels is very important in the process of bringing the country into the era of national development. The rearrangement of administrative units at all levels in localities aims at a major goal as General Secretary To Lam emphasized: "The rearrangement of administrative units at all levels this time is not simply a matter of adjusting administrative boundaries, but also adjusting economic space; adjusting the division of labor, decentralization, adjusting the allocation and combination of economic resources".

Therefore, this administrative unit arrangement is not simply to streamline the focal points, but aims at a larger goal. That is to expand the development space, create a foundation and momentum for the country in the new era to ensure the long-term stability of the organizational system from the central to the grassroots level.

Looking at the world , the reduction of provincial and commune-level focal points and the elimination of district-level focal points is objective and consistent with the general trend. In reality, in many countries, local government organizations have only two levels and provincial-level focal points are also very few. A typical example is China - a country much larger than Vietnam in terms of area and population, but the number of provincial-level focal points is only more than 30.

To make the arrangement effective, we need to promote decentralization and delegate power to Party organizations and grassroots authorities. In particular, Party organizations and grassroots authorities, especially the leaders, must be responsible to the Party organizations and provincial authorities, to cadres, Party members and people for handling the work of their level... From there, the requirement and task is to further improve the leadership capacity, governing capacity and fighting strength of grassroots Party organizations; to build increasingly clean and strong grassroots Party organizations, truly worthy of being leaders and loyal servants of the people.

Dr. Architect Vu Hoai Duc, lecturer at Hanoi National University:
This is a big step forward.

In the context of the current scientific and technological revolution, the arrangement and streamlining of political system agencies, the arrangement of administrative units and the organization of 2-level local governments is a correct policy, in line with reality. Because in essence we must understand that the district level is abolished, but the functions and tasks of state management or serving the people are not only not lost but also enhanced, with better quality and efficiency. The difficulties and complexities arising in terms of scale and staff qualifications can be solved and simplified by technical tools, by applying digital technology, information technology, etc.

More importantly, the plan approved by the 11th Central Conference to rearrange the provincial level to 34 provinces and cities is, in my opinion, a big step forward. Because if we look closely at each plan, we can clearly see the rationality of this administrative unit arrangement, first of all, the provincial level will open up new development space. For example, the new provinces will have both sea, plains and mountains, especially in the South Central and Central regions or provinces and cities with historical processes closely linked together such as Da Nang city and Quang Nam province...

The arrangement of provinces and cities here is also the connection of the infrastructure system, so it certainly creates many advantages for planning and development in the future. Even with Ho Chi Minh City, in terms of scale, there may be no need for arrangement, but we still merge both Ba Ria - Vung Tau province and Binh Duong province. Obviously, the problem here is to create new momentum and development space for Ho Chi Minh City. When merging Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, the existing seaport system of Ho Chi Minh City will be supplemented with Cai Mep - Thi Vai or Long Son seaports, creating momentum for Ho Chi Minh City to go out to sea, opening up opportunities to realize the strategy of developing the marine economy, leading to the upward development of the whole region.

Mr. Dang Binh Minh, Party cell of residential group No. 3, Quynh Mai ward, Hai Ba Trung district:
Restructuring the apparatus is an urgent requirement.

I always closely follow the major policies and guidelines of the Party and the State. With regard to the important contents stated at the recent 11th Central Conference, I especially agree with the spirit of strong and drastic reform in reorganizing the administrative apparatus, including abolishing the district level, merging the provincial level and drastically reducing the number of commune levels.

This is a step that demonstrates the strategic vision and high political determination of the Central Government. The current administrative apparatus is cumbersome, has many layers, many unnecessary intermediaries, slows down decision-making, wastes resources and causes inconvenience to the people.

Abolishing the district level and merging the provincial level is a breakthrough to streamline the organization, reduce staff, save budget and improve management efficiency. We cannot continue to maintain a cumbersome administrative apparatus while the requirements of national development are increasingly high and the world is changing rapidly.

Reducing the number of communes by 60-70% is also necessary, especially in the context that many communes now have very low populations, developed transport and information infrastructure, and management and service to people can be done through technology platforms, no longer dependent on dense administrative boundaries as before.

I believe that if implemented resolutely, synchronously and with a suitable roadmap, this administrative reform will bring about many positive changes: reducing regular budget expenditures, improving public service efficiency, promoting administrative procedure reform and especially increasing transparency and accountability of government apparatus at all levels.

Of course, the process of reorganizing the apparatus will have initial difficulties, and there may even be psychological and organizational disruption. But I believe that, with unified direction from the Central Government, close coordination from local Party committees and authorities, and especially the consensus of cadres, party members and people, we will overcome and achieve the highest goal: Building a modern, streamlined, effective and efficient administration that best serves the people and the development of the country.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/sap-xep-con-34-tinh-thanh-pho-chinh-la-phu-hop-mo-rong-duoc-khong-gian-phat-trien-698933.html