With the reduction of nearly 50% of provincial administrative units and 60-70% of commune-level administrative units, the names of the units after the arrangement are a matter of concern to many people. Because the name is not simply the name of the administrative unit but also many issues related to people's lives.
Focus on historical and cultural factors
The name of a province or commune is not simply an administrative unit but also many issues related to the people such as: birth certificate, citizen identification card, health insurance, seal, signboard and related administrative procedures.
For that reason, when the Standing Committee of the Government Party Committee gave its opinion on the Project on administrative reorganization at all levels and building a 2-level local government model, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh noted: “The naming of provincial-level administrative units must be based on inheritance. The selection of administrative-political centers must consider historical, geographical, infrastructure connectivity, development space, national defense, security and integration factors.”
Associate Professor Dr. Dang Van Bai - Vice Chairman of the National Cultural Heritage Council said that, regarding the names of communes after the merger, we should try to keep the old names. Because the old place names are associated with common memories. The world has "toponymy" which is the old place names, because it evokes many historical memories. "Therefore, we should try to keep as many old place names as possible. Besides, we need to choose names that are easy to remember, convenient for communication and communication. For the names of provinces and cities after the arrangement, the provinces in large and typical cultural areas should try to keep them to be associated with that cultural area, do not let them be lost" - Mr. Bai said.
Prof. Dr. Vu Van Hien - former General Director of the Voice of Vietnam, former Vice Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council, put forward 4 viewpoints. Accordingly, it is possible to combine the names of 2 provinces, "this brother with that brother" into a combined name, but it must be based on the compatibility of the two sides. Second, pay attention to the historical factors of the 2 provinces, do they have anything in common, are they connected to each other? If the combined name is not good, it is possible to take the historical factors of 2-3 provinces into a new name so that all parties "see it as good". That is, to create consensus among the provinces due to cultural factors. Third, it is possible to use a new name. Fourth, is to take the name of a place that has more potential, has more development than the "others". For example, if Bac Ninh province is merged with Bac Giang province, the name Bac Ninh will be kept. That is, taking the name of a leading place.
From the perspective of a historian, Prof. Dr. Do Quang Hung - Chairman of the Advisory Council on Religion of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, said that the name of the new administrative unit after the merger should be a name that evokes tradition without eliminating existing units. "Keeping the traditional name is the best, the highest level of language, evoking the inherent tradition" - Mr. Hung said and noted how to prioritize the traditional name, national sentiment, and homeland.
The second priority, according to Mr. Hung, is to be able to keep one of the two names to represent the whole. The third priority is to combine them into a new name. Because if the two provinces are not satisfied, a new name can be formed, which is the "no-nonsense, no-flattering" solution to merge the two provinces into one name, but the new combined name must be linguistically compatible.
According to Mr. Bui Hoai Son - National Assembly Delegate of Hanoi City, choosing a new name when merging provinces is not simply an administrative decision but also a matter of history, culture and identity. The name of a locality is not just a title, but also closely associated with the memories, pride and attachment of the people through many generations. Therefore, keeping the old name or choosing a new name needs to be carefully considered, based on community consensus and in line with development trends.
Mr. Son stated that if a name has been associated for a long time, has profound historical value and is loved by the people, then continuing to use it is a reasonable choice to ensure continuity. However, if the merger opens a new stage of development, finding a name that more fully reflects the geographical, cultural and potential characteristics of the land is also worth considering. When choosing a new name, it is necessary to consider important factors to ensure continuity while being suitable for the new stage of development. The name of the locality should reflect the depth of tradition, important events or typical values that have shaped the identity of that land. If there is a change in the name, it is necessary to find a name with a broad meaning, representing the common spirit of the whole area instead of just reflecting a part of the previous locality.
Choose a name to avoid having to redo many documents, causing waste and expense.
Dr. Nguyen Quan - former Minister of Science and Technology said that there should be principles in naming after the merger. Accordingly, one is to maintain tradition, how to save costs for society. "Now, changing names, seals, signs, issues related to administrative procedures. Therefore, it is possible to keep one name because there are many very traditional names" - Mr. Quan said and gave an example: "When 3 provinces merge into 1, we will take the name of 1 province so that at least 1 province does not have to redo the seal and documents of the people. Therefore, we should choose the option of keeping 1 province. If we take a new name, it is considered as having to redo the documents of all 3 provinces, which is a terrible waste in terms of administrative procedures".
In the name after the merger, Mr. Quan also said that it is necessary to focus and think for the common good. As General Secretary To Lam said, we are not afraid of losing our name, but we are most afraid of the country being poor and backward. That is true because in the merger, we cannot keep all the names. In the past, we changed them many times but they were still good like Ha Nam Ninh, Binh Tri Thien.
Associate Professor, Dr. Dang Van Bai also proposed that when naming new provinces, we must avoid making too many changes, which would lead to having to redo many documents and procedures, causing social waste.
“For example, if Dong Thap merges with An Giang, the name Dong Thap will be retained, so only the documents of An Giang will have to be redone. A new name should not be created and the documents of both provinces will have to be redone. For example, when Hoang Lien Son was divided into two provinces (Yen Bai, Lao Cai), the documents of both provinces had to be changed. Or if Tuyen Quang and Ha Giang merged into Ha Tuyen, the documents of both provinces would have to be redone. But if the province is named Tuyen Quang, the documents of only one province will be redone. We prioritize Tuyen Quang because of historical factors, this is where Tan Trao and the ATK war zone are located” – Mr. Bai analyzed and said that we should retain the name of one province to facilitate transactions. Or for provinces with a larger population, we can keep it and take the name of the larger province to avoid having to redo many related documents.
Professor Do Quang Hung also analyzed that if the name of a place with many historical relics is chosen, it must be a "very special case". Because the homeland and the native land must be equal. "If you are sacred, I am sacred too", except in very special cases. For example, if Hanoi merges with a certain province X and completely disappears from Hanoi or Thang Long, it is not advisable because Hanoi is the capital, a major place name of the whole country. Therefore, it is necessary to prioritize very special cases.
Should consult people and scientists
Recently, at the 9th extraordinary session, the National Assembly passed the Law on Organization of Local Government 2025. It stipulates: The National Assembly decides to establish, dissolve, merge, divide administrative units, adjust boundaries and rename administrative units at the provincial level. The National Assembly Standing Committee decides to establish, dissolve, merge, divide administrative units, adjust boundaries and rename administrative units at the district and commune levels.
The Law also stipulates: The dossier of the project to establish, dissolve, merge, divide administrative units, adjust boundaries and rename administrative units must include a report summarizing public opinions, opinions of People's Councils at all levels and relevant agencies and organizations. The project to establish, dissolve, merge, divide administrative units, adjust boundaries and rename administrative units must be consulted with public opinions in commune-level administrative units directly affected. The provincial People's Committee is responsible for organizing the consultation of public opinions on the policy to establish, dissolve, merge, divide administrative units, adjust boundaries and rename administrative units in appropriate forms according to Government regulations.
Prof. Dr. Vu Van Hien also said that the people's opinions should be sought before deciding on the name. Sharing the same opinion, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Van Cuong - former Director of the Institute for Strategic Studies, Ministry of Public Security said that before deciding on the name, the people and scientists should be consulted. Especially the people in the area of merging communes and provinces to propose options, expressing the people's wishes. On that basis, the state agency has the right to decide. At the same time, explain to the people why this name should be chosen and not that name? Because we still have time because the National Assembly decided to merge and name the province. "But before the National Assembly decides, we should widely announce to the people and seek their opinions. In addition, 2-3 provinces that merge can invite scholars and scientists to come and get their opinions. After that, the National Assembly makes a decision, which will be more reasonable" - Mr. Cuong said and suggested that this should be done quickly.
“Regardless of which direction is chosen, the most important thing is to have extensive consultation, listening to the opinions of the people, historical and cultural researchers and managers to ensure that the new name is not only administratively reasonable but also creates consensus, pride and a sense of connection for the people in the region” – National Assembly Deputy Bui Hoai Son (Hanoi City Delegation) said, emphasizing that the name of a new locality also needs to have a long-term vision, in line with the development orientation in the future. A name not only evokes the past but also shows the aspiration to rise, the connection with modern trends and integration.
Dr. Nguyen Thi Suu - Member of the National Assembly's Ethnic Council: Determine the level of priority to choose a name
When merging 2-3 provinces into one province, the name does not have to be an extension of the place names, but the most typical one among the 2-3 place names, the most typical in terms of culture, economy, diplomacy, national security and defense. Because the above relationships are all important. Therefore, depending on each position, appropriate priority levels can be given.
In addition, it is necessary to carefully analyze what is gained and lost if 2-3 provinces are merged and named after one province, and what is gained and lost if they are named after two provinces. We must have criteria, because the shorter and more concise the name of an administrative unit is, the more convenient it is. Because nowadays, names are not only for ourselves but also related to the world, related to the story of integration and diplomacy. If the name is too long, it will be difficult to remember. This is an issue that requires analysis and direction from the Party in a synchronous, comprehensive and objective manner.
Mr. Le Van Cuong - former Deputy Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Thanh Hoa province: Collecting opinions so that "the Party's will is in line with the people's will"
It is necessary to organize a workshop to collect public opinions on the name after the merger so that people can participate and give their opinions. Through many information channels to grasp the advantages and disadvantages, and whether there are any initiatives or not, so that the Central Government can make a decision. This will be more objective and better, avoiding biased thinking when one province keeps its name, while another loses its name. Having many opinions from the people and scientists to contribute ideas to see which option is best to choose. The decision to choose is made by the competent authority, but people feel satisfied when they can participate in giving their opinions. We "take the people as the root", "rely on the people", so now the people have opinions, and when it comes to making decisions, how to make the Party's will match the people's will is the best.
Source: https://daidoanket.vn/ten-goi-sau-sap-nhap-tinh-xa-chu-trong-yeu-to-lich-su-the-hien-xu-the-hoi-nhap-10301835.html
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