Naming new wards and communes, must eliminate local thinking

Dr. Nguyen Viet Chuc, Director of the Thang Long Cultural Research Institute. Photo: Thuong Nguyen

Dr. Nguyen Viet Chuc, former Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture, Education, Youth, Adolescents and Children (now the Committee on Culture and Society) was once Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Information (now the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports).

Currently, he is holding the position of Director of Thang Long Cultural Research Institute and Deputy Chairman of the Cultural and Social Advisory Council of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front.

As a person with deep understanding and always concerned with cultural issues, having researched and proposed many times to name streets and roads, he happily agreed to share his opinion with Hanoi Moi Newspaper when asked about naming commune-level administrative units - one of the topics that is receiving great public attention.

- Dear Dr. Nguyen Viet Chuc, in the Draft plan for the arrangement of commune-level administrative units, Hanoi plans to name new wards and communes after the names of district-level administrative units (before the arrangement) with serial numbers attached to facilitate the digitization and updating of information data, for example: Thanh Xuan 1, Thanh Xuan 2, Dan Phuong 1, Dan Phuong 2... At the same time, consider using the existing names of administrative units before the arrangement; names with historical, traditional, and cultural value. What is your opinion on this proposed plan of the city?

- I am very pleased to see the attention of the Central Government and Hanoi City to cultural and historical factors when directing, orienting and implementing the project of administrative unit arrangement in general and naming new administrative units in particular. This is of great significance and will certainly contribute to the success of the revolution of streamlining the apparatus and arranging administrative units.

- So, in your opinion, is it feasible to name new wards and communes using the old district names combined with numbering?

- I think this is a positive direction, when there is a combination of both old and new. For example, wards in Thanh Xuan and Dong Da districts are named Thanh Xuan 1, Thanh Xuan 2 or Dong Da 1, Dong Da 2. The new name has both a general overview that defines the cultural and historical space, and also clarifies the specificity of the new administrative unit.

The names in the historical inner city areas, such as Dong Da, Ba Dinh, Hoan Kiem, Hai Ba Trung... all have great significance, it is difficult to remove, or the names of the districts, for example Dan Phuong is the hometown of the "Three Virtues" movement... also need to be maintained, calling the new communes Dan Phuong 1, Dan Phuong 2, I think is appropriate.

- So what about the option of choosing an administrative unit with historical, traditional, and cultural value to name, for example, Hoan Kiem district has a ward named Hoan Kiem; Dong Da district has wards named Dong Da, Kim Lien, Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam; or Dong Anh district has a commune named Co Loa, sir?

- The name has great significance because it is closely linked to the land, people, culture and history. The name also has the effect of evoking emotions, pride, motivating and inspiring people. Therefore, in my opinion, the choice of a name for a new administrative unit needs to carefully consider the cultural, historical and meaningful aspects.

For each place, the choice of name needs to be carefully researched, discussed, and debated, especially publicly, transparently, ensuring objectivity, science, consulting with experts, scientists, and listening to the thoughts and aspirations of the people... before making a decision.

Dong Anh district may have a new commune-level administrative unit named Co Loa. Photo: Do ​​Minh

- According to you, when naming new commune-level administrative units, what else should be noted to ensure success?

- I think that no matter what the new name is, it certainly cannot please everyone. Because everyone has different views, thoughts, and feelings. The important thing is to choose the most suitable option, combined with propaganda and mobilization to create a common consensus. When faced with a choice, everyone should also think broadly. Because as General Secretary To Lam said, "the country is the homeland", we must work for the common good, put our ego aside and be willing to share and sacrifice for the development of the country.

To do that, in my opinion, the most important thing is that local and grassroots cadres, especially leaders and key cadres, must set an example of eliminating local and local thinking to set an example for the people. Everyone needs to look in one direction, strive to devote themselves to the development of the new ward or commune, regardless of what the new name is, whether it is the name of their old locality or not.

Thank you very much!

According to the Central Government's plan, the total number of commune and ward administrative units after the reorganization will be reduced by about 50% compared to the present. Currently, Hanoi has 526 commune-level administrative units, including 160 wards, 345 communes and 21 towns. If implemented according to the above ratio, Hanoi will reduce from 526 wards, communes and towns to 263 commune-level administrative units, which is also the number of administrative units that need to be named.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/dat-ten-phuong-xa-moi-phai-xoa-bo-tu-duy-cuc-bo-697978.html