Rearranging the nation, striving for a bright future.

A sacred and momentous moment for the nation.

In Ho Chi Minh City, attending and giving a keynote speech at the ceremony, General Secretary To Lam assessed this as an event of historical significance, a strategic transformation, and an inevitable objective requirement of the people and the country in the journey of building development driving forces for the nation and the region, to be worthy of the aspiration of "a strong and prosperous Vietnam by 2045".

- Ảnh 1. — General Secretary To Lam, on behalf of the Central Committee, the Government, the National Assembly, and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, presented flowers to congratulate key leaders of Ho Chi Minh City.

The General Secretary affirmed that the official and simultaneous operation of the two-tiered local government apparatus in 34 provinces and cities nationwide is a sacred and momentous moment for the nation. The decision to "reorganize the country" is a historic step with strategic significance, marking a new stage in the development of perfecting the state administrative apparatus, perfecting the institutions and organization of a synchronous, streamlined, effective, and efficient political system, aiming towards perfecting a modern, people-oriented, and people-serving administration, so that all benefits belong to the people.

According to General Secretary To Lam, reorganizing administrative boundaries and operating a new local government model is an objective and inevitable requirement for national development in the context of globalization, digital transformation, and the fourth industrial revolution. This is also a valuable opportunity to innovate leadership thinking, reform state management methods, strongly apply science and technology, improve the quality of national governance, and enhance the effectiveness of public service.

"Let every working day be a day of creation. Let each person be a soldier on the front lines of innovation. Let the revolutionary spirit attack strongly, decisively, and creatively, imbued with the national soul in every action, every decision, and every step of development," the General Secretary urged. The General Secretary also affirmed that at this point, our ranks are well-organized, the lines are straight, and the entire nation is marching towards a bright future for the country, for the happiness of the people, and for a sustainably developed Vietnam.

The success of the new Ho Chi Minh City must come from the consensus of its people.

General Secretary To Lam emphasized that the merger of the three rapidly developing economic hubs in the south, namely Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, and Ba Ria - Vung Tau, is not merely a combination, but the culmination of shared wisdom and development aspirations to form a megacity - a center for finance, manufacturing, logistics, and innovation of regional and global stature.

- Ảnh 2. — President Luong Cuong delivered a speech at the ceremony announcing the resolution and decision on the merger of administrative units in Hanoi.

"This is a pioneering and groundbreaking step in reforming the organizational structure of urban government, creating favorable conditions for the rapid, strong, and efficient development of the most urbanized region in the country," the General Secretary affirmed. This model will help strengthen autonomy and flexibility in governance, while creating a clear institutional framework for satellite cities and industrial-logistics-port service zones to fully realize their potential.

Emphasizing that this is both a historical challenge and an opportunity, the General Secretary noted that the success of the new Ho Chi Minh City cannot come solely from documents or resolutions, but must stem from consensus among the people, decisive leadership, and dedicated implementation. Sharing his thoughts with the leaders of Ho Chi Minh City and the newly appointed communes, wards, and special zones, the General Secretary stressed that this is a heavy but also glorious responsibility, and expressed his hope that those entrusted with this important task will maintain their integrity, leverage collective intelligence, stay close to the people, respect the people, and act for the people, placing the interests of the nation and the people above all else.

A significant step that ensures the country's development.

Speaking at the announcement ceremony in Hanoi, President Luong Cuong said this is a very special milestone for the capital and the whole country. From July 1st, the local government apparatus nationwide officially enters a new phase, transitioning from a three-tiered local government system to a two-tiered local government system.

"This is not just a simple adjustment of administrative boundaries, but also a step of great political and organizational significance, ensuring the sustainable development of the country," the President emphasized.

- Ảnh 3. — Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presented the Politburo's decision appointing Mr. Le Tien Chau as the (new) Secretary of the Hai Phong City Party Committee for the 2020-2025 term.

According to the President, the reorganization and streamlining of administrative units in Hanoi, reducing the old 526 communes to 126, demonstrates a strong shift in the capital's governance reform thinking, opening up new development opportunities for the capital to thrive even better.

"The restructuring and reorganization of the administrative apparatus, coupled with changes in administrative boundaries and job titles, will impact the psychology, job positions, living conditions, and even the emotional attachment of many officials, civil servants, and citizens," the President said, adding that the Central Committee deeply sympathizes with these concerns and anxieties.

The President noted that, starting from July 1st, district-level administrations will cease operation, and Hanoi will directly lead and direct the 126 communes and wards. The new commune-level administrations are currently very large, requiring a streamlined, efficient, and effective system that is closer to the people. To meet this goal and requirement, the President requested the Standing Committee of the Hanoi City Party Committee to focus on leading and directing the Party committees and administrations of the 126 communes and wards to ensure smooth, synchronized, and effective operation.

"We must not delay anything, nor cause any disruptions or affect the normal functioning of society, especially work and tasks related to citizens, businesses, investment, and essential public services," the President said.

In addition, the President urged Party members, officials, and public employees in Hanoi to highly promote a sense of responsibility, a desire to contribute, intelligence, and public service ethics; to be pioneers in reforming management thinking, with the highest goal being effective service to the people. They must shift from an administrative mindset to a service-oriented mindset, earning the trust, approval, and support of the people…

Based on that foundation, Hanoi needs to proactively develop action programs in a scientific, systematic, focused, and targeted manner with a specific roadmap. This is not just an administrative requirement, but also a concrete manifestation of the spirit of innovation, management thinking, and the innovation of methods for organizing and implementing the Party's resolutions in practice.

The President expressed his confidence that the Party Committee of Hanoi, the government, and the people of Hanoi will continue to lead in reforming management models, improving the quality of grassroots government, and serving the people even better; directly contributing to the country's steady progress into a new era, an era of strong and prosperous development for the Vietnamese nation.

- Ảnh 4. — National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man presented the Politburo's decision appointing Mr. Do Thanh Binh, Secretary of the Can Tho City Party Committee, to the Executive Committee of the Can Tho City Party Committee for the 2020-2025 term.

Expanding development space, optimizing competitive advantages to thrive.

Attending the ceremony to announce the Central Committee's resolutions and decisions on the merger of administrative units in Hai Phong City, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that the rearrangement of administrative units, the consolidation of provincial-level units, the abolition of district-level units, and the merger of commune-level units is a major policy of the Party and State aimed at perfecting the state administrative apparatus to be streamlined, and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Party, State, Fatherland Front, and political and social organizations.

The Prime Minister also emphasized that the merger of Hai Phong City and Hai Duong Province aims to bring the government closer to the people, serving them more effectively; streamline staffing, improve the quality and responsibility of officials and civil servants; and align with the general development trends of the era and the country's deep, substantive, and effective integration. At the same time, it concentrates land and population resources, expands development space, and further enhances the unique potential, outstanding opportunities, and competitive advantages of Hai Phong and Hai Duong for development in the new era.

According to the Prime Minister, the merger of Hai Phong City and Hai Duong Province into the new Hai Phong City reflects the strategic thinking and vision of the Party and the State to optimize resources and create new growth poles to lead the development of the region and the entire country.

"Today's important event marks the beginning of a new development path full of difficulties and challenges. Transforming the merged city of Hai Phong into an important economic, commercial, service, political, cultural, and science and technology center of the Red River Delta region and the entire country requires high determination, great effort, decisive action, and unity," the Prime Minister emphasized.

Also at the conference, the Prime Minister suggested that Hai Phong develop multi-sectoral, modern economic pillars, becoming a model of high-tech industry, innovation, and international-standard logistics services.

In that directive, the Prime Minister assigned five tasks to Hai Phong. Firstly, to streamline the organizational structure, arrange a team of qualified and capable officials who are bold and decisive, and ensure that all policies and benefits are fully addressed for officials, civil servants, and public employees affected by the administrative restructuring.

Secondly, ensure smooth, effective, and efficient administrative operations; promote digital transformation, provide high-level online public services, eliminate geographical barriers in administrative procedures, and improve the quality of healthcare and education and training.

Thirdly, focus intensely on socio-economic development and ensuring national defense and security; build a socialist urban development strategy with the following pillars: diversified economy, international logistics, high-tech industry, cultural industry, smart infrastructure, and high-quality human resources.

Fourth, promote unity within the political system and among the people, awaken the spirit of working together for common development, and connect the traditions and aspirations for innovation between Hai Duong and Hai Phong.

Fifth, make good preparations for the Hai Phong City Party Congress for the 2025-2030 term, ensuring a spirit of innovation, unity, development, and integration, and fulfilling its pioneering role in the reform and development of the whole country.

CLEARLY IDENTIFYING THE REGIONAL CENTER WITH SUFFICIENT LEADERSHIP CAPABILITY FOR THE MEKONG DELTA

Attending the ceremony announcing the resolutions and decisions of the Central and local authorities on the merger of provincial and commune-level administrative units in Can Tho City on the morning of June 30, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man stated that the merger of the three localities of Can Tho, Soc Trang, and Hau Giang into Can Tho City will be a favorable prerequisite for implementing integrated economic, cultural, and social development, ensuring national defense and security. Furthermore, this will expand the development space, helping Can Tho City clearly position itself as a regional economic center, with the stature to lead the entire Mekong Delta region.

Faced with this opportunity, Can Tho City must thoroughly understand the directives of the Central Government, quickly stabilize the new administrative units; ensure a smooth transition without interruption in the provision of public services, and wholeheartedly serve the people. Surplus public assets after the merger must be used rationally, preventing loss and waste.

With the new system operating smoothly, the Chairman of the National Assembly hopes that Can Tho will strive to become a national growth pole, playing a driving role in the development of the Mekong Delta region in many fields such as trade, services, logistics, marine economy, science and technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, digital technology, processing industry, etc.

However, in its journey towards development, Can Tho City must pay special attention to the issue of developing culture and society in harmony with economic development. The goal is to ensure that the people truly benefit deservedly from the achievements of socio-economic development; that every neighborhood and rural area is bright, green, clean, beautiful, civilized, and has a safe and happy environment.

To achieve this, the Chairman of the National Assembly suggested that Can Tho City should pay early attention to the rational allocation of personnel. Once the city has a team of officials with sufficient qualities, intelligence, courage, and willingness to act and take responsibility, it will have the strength to unleash its strong aspirations for future development.

Urgently put into operation the two-tiered government system.

Speaking at the ceremony announcing the resolutions and decisions on the merger of Quang Nam province with Da Nang city to form the new Da Nang city, Politburo member and Standing Committee Secretary Tran Cam Tu requested that in the coming period, it is necessary to urgently review and coordinate the planning of the two localities, complete the overall plan, ensure synchronous and harmonious development, and effectively exploit the potential and advantages of the new Da Nang city; and continue to effectively implement the policies and directions of the Central Committee.

The Standing Committee of the Party Central Committee instructed the leaders of Da Nang City to continue leading and directing the implementation of socio-economic development tasks to achieve the set growth targets; proactively review and develop regulations on decentralization and delegation of power at the grassroots level to ensure synchronicity, comprehensiveness, thorough interconnection, and no omissions or overlaps of tasks; and remove difficulties and obstacles to accelerate economic development… Party committees, party organizations, and the entire political system of the city must urgently, diligently, and resolutely put into operation the two-tiered administrative and government model to ensure smooth and efficient operation, and improve the quality of service to citizens and businesses.