Talking to VietNamNet about the policy of merging provinces and abolishing the district level, which has just been concluded by the Politburo, former Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Nguyen Tien Dinh, said that recently, the Central Government has set an example by following the spirit of "running and lining up at the same time", so the localities have also "enthusiastically followed suit". That is the viewpoint that the General Secretary has clearly stated.
According to Mr. Dinh, merging some provinces is inevitable because we are implementing a revolution to streamline the apparatus and what we have done is to make the whole system synchronous, ensuring "refined, compact, strong, efficient, effective, and efficient".
If you don't do it, you will miss the opportunity.
Speaking of merging provinces and cities, the previous ministries and sectors have mentioned it several times, but it seems that each time it was proposed, there were many obstacles that prevented it from being done. But this time, the recent arrangement and streamlining of the apparatus at the central and local levels, we have not only done it but also done it very quickly. So, in your opinion, is this the premise for the upcoming provincial merger to not be discussed again?
Resolution 18 of 2017 of the 12th Central Committee has set out many comprehensive and complete tasks. How is the Party, how is the National Assembly, how is the Government, how is the Fatherland Front? The problem lies in how to implement it.
In the past, we have reorganized and streamlined the apparatus and achieved some results, but in fact, we have not reached the target. Streamlining the apparatus sometimes only reduces the number of employees but not the quality. Sometimes the way of doing it is still too lenient.
Former Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Nguyen Tien Dinh. Photo: Ngoc Thang
In the past, we often set out a roadmap because there were many difficulties.
But this time, the Party and State, headed by General Secretary To Lam, have determined that this is a revolution that must be carried out thoroughly, resolutely, with a quick battle and victory, a breakthrough to rise up. So now there is no longer a roadmap but work progress.
That is why this restructuring is different from the past, with different attitudes and actions. So now we do it not spontaneously but based on research, inheriting previous achievements and doing it resolutely like a revolution, not an innovation. This is an opportunity, if we do not do it, we will miss it.
The 13th Party Congress set the goal that by 2030, Vietnam will become a developing country with modern industry and high average income; by 2045, it will become a developed country with high income. The goal is very clear, if we do not accelerate and make a breakthrough, we cannot achieve the growth rate as set.
Recently, we made 3 breakthroughs in infrastructure, institutions, and human resources, but this time we also made a streamlining of the apparatus and a breakthrough in science and technology.
Recently, the Politburo issued Resolution 57 and the National Assembly passed a Resolution on piloting a number of special policies and mechanisms to create breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation. In particular, the contracting mechanism and acceptance of “risky research”.
Everything is in sync and our spirit is very determined, seizing the "once in a lifetime" opportunity.
A province with more than 300,000 people like Bac Kan is too small.
When implementing the policy of merging provinces, what factors should be considered? Some people think that provinces should be merged to form development zones. What is your opinion?
To determine which province to merge with which province, there must be criteria. These include criteria on population size and area, but there are also specific factors on culture, history, etc.
But first, it is necessary to rely on population size and natural area and consider 5 other factors according to Resolution 35/2023 of the National Assembly Standing Committee on the arrangement of administrative units at district and commune levels for the period 2023 - 2030.
Up to now, we have been interested in growth zones, dynamic zones for development such as: Central Highlands, Mekong Delta, Red River Delta... But the zones are relatively large, not just one or two provinces merged together.
To merge any province with another, many factors must be considered, from geographical location to people, population, customs and practices... For example, a province with more than 300,000 people like Bac Kan is too small.
So, in your opinion, should some previously separated provinces be merged and take the same name because they already have traditions and foundations?
It is also possible that this is a basis that we have studied before. In fact, after 1976, we only had 38 provinces. At that time, there were also specific conditions.
But then it split into more provinces and cities due to difficult travel conditions and poor infrastructure like today. Many localities were quite developed after splitting.
When Vinh Phu province was separated, Vinh Phuc developed first, now Phu Tho is also developing. Or like Ha Bac when separated from Bac Ninh, Bac Ninh developed very much, in recent years Bac Giang has developed very strongly. Or like Hai Hung in the past was separated into Hai Duong and Hung Yen. Hai Duong developed first, Hung Yen has also developed very much recently... Or even deeper is Quang Nam - Da Nang...
But at this point, the developed provinces have also reached their limits; resources and assets are gradually depleted, so it is necessary to recalculate the development space.
In 2008, Hanoi merged with Ha Tay. At first, there were many indignant opinions, but now reality confirms that the merger will give Hanoi more space and room for development.
Should continue the spirit of "lightning speed"
The recent merger and streamlining of the central government apparatus was “lightning fast”, completed in just 2 months and many people did not expect it. So, do you think the upcoming provincial merger policy will have a similar development?
I believe that this spirit of “lightning speed” will continue. Because we are preparing for Party Congresses at all levels, leading up to the National Congress in January 2026. Currently, we are preparing for grassroots congresses. Therefore, we must prepare personnel for congresses at all levels.
Therefore, I think we must take drastic measures to stabilize the organization. Currently, we are implementing the plan to abolish the district police. Conclusion 126 clearly states that not only will the district police be abolished, but we will also study and arrange the organization of the court, the People's Procuracy, and the inspectorate. All systems will be implemented synchronously.
I believe that we must do it and do it with the same spirit as before, resolutely and thoroughly. The central government sets an example first, and the localities follow suit. Now the provinces will merge first, and then we will abolish the district level.
As someone who has worked in organizational work for many years, in your opinion, when merging provinces, how many provinces should be reduced to suit the current situation in Vietnam?
I think returning to the old number of 35 to 38 provinces and cities is appropriate. Of course, it is not necessary for each province to return to its previous state, but to arrange it in accordance with the characteristics of each province.
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