The People's Committee of the special administrative region has the authority to decide on measures for the effective management and use of land and resources.

The Government has just issued Decree No. 322/2025/ND-CP dated December 16, 2025, stipulating the tasks, powers, organization, and operation of the People's Committee (UBND), the Chairman of the UBND, specialized agencies, and other administrative organizations under the UBND of special zones in specific cases, as prescribed in Article 28 of the Law on Organization of Local Government. The Decree takes effect from the date of signing.

Illustrative photo: Tuan Anh/TTXVN

The decree was issued to perfect the legal framework for the local government model in special zones, ensuring uniformity in state management, while strengthening decentralization and delegation of power, promoting autonomy and accountability, and meeting the requirements of modern and effective governance for areas with strategic importance in terms of socio -economic development, national defense, security, and maritime affairs.

Specific regulations outlining the duties and powers of the People's Committee of the special administrative region.

According to the Decree, the People's Committee of the special zone performs the tasks and powers of the People's Committee at the commune level as stipulated in the Law on Organization of Local Government, and is also assigned many additional tasks and powers suitable to the specific nature of the special zone model.

Specifically, the People's Committee of the special zone performs the duties and powers of a budget-estimating unit directly under the People's Committee of the provincial level as prescribed by the State Budget Law; decides on measures to ensure the implementation of the Constitution, laws and documents of higher-level state agencies within the special zone, ensuring adequate conditions regarding infrastructure, human resources and other necessary resources so that the law is strictly and uniformly enforced.

The People's Committee of the special economic zone is responsible for developing and submitting to the People's Committee of the provincial level for consideration and decision policies and measures for socio-economic development, development of industries and sectors, promotion of the private economy, and international economic integration; and at the same time proposing breakthrough solutions in science , technology, innovation, and digital transformation in the area.

The decree grants the People's Committee of the special zone the authority to decide on five-year and annual socio-economic development plans, and development plans for various sectors and fields as prescribed by law; to decide on medium-term and annual public investment plans, and investment policies for programs and projects within the zone as prescribed by law on public investment. In addition, the People's Committee of the special zone is authorized to decide on measures to mobilize public contributions for investment in infrastructure, transportation, public works, and social welfare; and to issue programs and measures to support the economic development of households and production and business establishments within the special zone.

Proactive in organizational structure and territorial management.

According to the Decree, the People's Committee of the special administrative region has the authority to develop proposals for the establishment, dissolution, merger, division, boundary adjustment, and renaming of administrative units within the special administrative region for submission to the competent authority for consideration and decision. Based on the staffing quotas allocated by the provincial-level local government, the People's Committee of the special administrative region decides on the specific number of civil servants in agencies under the local government of the special administrative region, as well as the number of salaried employees in public service units under its management.

The People's Committee of the special administrative region is also tasked with deciding on the establishment, reorganization, dissolution, naming, and renaming of villages and residential areas in accordance with the law; and determining the specific number of part-time personnel receiving allowances from the state budget in the area according to the regulations of the provincial-level local government.

Notably, the Decree grants the People's Committee of the special administrative region the authority to decide on measures, programs, and projects on the development of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation; building a digital local government, digital economy, and digital society; and promoting the application of information technology and digital transformation in the operation of the government apparatus and the provision of public services to citizens and businesses in the area.

Comprehensive management of all areas of development

In resource and environmental management, the People's Committee of the special administrative region is authorized to decide on measures for the effective management and use of land, water resources, forests, and marine resources, and to protect the environment in accordance with plans, programs, and legal regulations; and to organize the implementation of tasks related to disaster and disease prevention and control. The Decree also assigns the People's Committee of the special administrative region the authority to decide on measures for the development of agriculture , rural areas, forestry, fisheries, industry, trade, services, tourism, construction, and transportation, as well as to implement the new rural development program within the region.

Regarding social affairs, the People's Committee of the special administrative region decides on measures to develop preschool, primary, and secondary education, provide primary healthcare for the people; develop culture, society, physical education, and sports; implement social security policies, achieve sustainable poverty reduction, create jobs, protect and care for children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and other policy beneficiaries.

In addition, the People's Committee of the special administrative region is responsible for deciding on measures to ensure national defense and security, maintain social order and safety, build up the militia and reserve forces; implement ethnic and religious policies, and preserve and promote the cultural identity of ethnic minorities and religious followers in the area.

The decree also allows the People's Committee of the special administrative region to decide on tasks falling under the authority of the People's Council at the commune level as prescribed by law, clearly demonstrating the flexibility and proactiveness of the special administrative region's government model in local administration and management.

Principles of organization, operation, and organizational structure.

According to the Decree, the People's Committee of the special zone operates on a collective basis, making decisions by majority vote, while emphasizing the role, authority, and responsibility of the Chairman of the People's Committee of the special zone. The People's Committee of the special zone is granted increased autonomy and accountability, ensuring its ability to proactively respond to unexpected situations, especially in firmly protecting the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the nation in its maritime and island areas.

The People's Committee of the special administrative region is organized in a streamlined, efficient, effective, and practical manner, meeting the requirements of professional and modern local governance; promoting administrative reform, applying online public services, ensuring democratic, open, transparent, unified, and smooth operation, and using the satisfaction of citizens and businesses as a measure.

In terms of organizational structure, the People's Committee of the Special Administrative Region consists of a Chairman, Vice-Chairmen, and Members. The number of Vice-Chairmen and Members is decided by the Provincial People's Committee, ensuring a streamlined structure that is appropriate to the requirements of the tasks. The People's Committee of the Special Administrative Region may organize a People's Committee Office, with a maximum of one specialized department and a Public Administrative Service Center, or assign specialized civil servants to provide advice and assistance.

According to the Decree, the People's Committee of the special administrative region is subject to the supervision of the Provincial People's Council; it reports on its activities annually or submits ad hoc reports as required. The Chairman of the People's Committee of the special administrative region is responsible for explaining relevant issues to the Provincial People's Council when requested.

The promulgation of Decree No. 322/2025/ND-CP is expected to create an important legal foundation, contributing to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of state management, unleashing the potential and advantages of special economic zones, and serving the goal of rapid and sustainable national development in the new period.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/chinh-sach-va-cuoc-song/ubnd-dac-khu-duoc-quyet-dinh-cac-bien-phap-quan-ly-su-dung-hieu-qua-dat-dai-tai-nguyen-20251217193038462.htm