Place and region names are not just words.

Sa Pa is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vietnam - Photo: TTD

Currently, the names of communes and wards are encouraged to use one of the existing names of the administrative units before the merger, with priority given to names that have historical, traditional, and cultural values ​​and are agreed upon by local people.

The Ministry of Home Affairs also proposed naming new commune-level administrative units after the names of district-level administrative units before the arrangement, combined with serial numbers to ensure connectivity in administrative management and information data systems.

The old district name is the new commune name.

Speaking with Tuoi Tre, Dr. Nguyen Viet Chuc - former deputy head of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture, Education, Youth and Children (now the Committee on Culture and Society) - stated that naming administrative units after mergers is very difficult.

The name is not only to call that place but also has historical and cultural significance, increasing the pride of a locality.

At the provincial level, only two or at most three provinces and cities can merge together. But at the communal level, it is difficult for 3-4 or even 5 communes to merge into one large commune where everyone wants to keep their own name.

Mr. Chuc supports the Ministry of Home Affairs' direction to propose naming new communes after the district before arrangement, combined with serial numbers.

"This is also a reasonable solution, both suitable for digital transformation and preserving the large, common place name for the whole district. For communes after the merger that cannot keep their old names, they can keep their literary and artistic works, customs, and cultural features in their hearts...", Mr. Chuc expressed.

Mr. Chuc also suggested that in addition to naming districts according to their names, before the arrangement, it is possible to consider naming them based on traditions, history, culture and receiving consensus from the people.

"This naming needs to listen to the people's opinions. Although the old name may no longer exist, the cultural values ​​and good traditions of the commune, ward, and province must be paid attention to in order to preserve, conserve, and promote. At the same time, we should think broadly that the homeland is the Fatherland and the country. Merging creates more resources and potential for local and national development in the new period," Mr. Chuc emphasized.

Preserving historical sites, demonstrating national sovereignty

Mr. Ta Van Ha, Vice Chairman of the Committee for Culture and Society, said that preserving historical, cultural and traditional values ​​in naming merged communes and wards is very important.

Because many place names are not only valuable to the local community but also have great significance to the nation, and have even been identified on international maps.

Mr. Ha mentioned that Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Sa Pa, Ha Long... have become national tourism brands, known worldwide.

Changing or removing these names will not only lose their symbolic value but also affect Vietnam's tourism image.

Mr. Ha also emphasized the need to preserve the names of places with sacred symbols affirming national sovereignty such as Truong Sa, Hoang Sa, Bach Long Vi...

Or names associated with important historical events: Dien Bien Phu, Chi Lang, Loc Ninh...

Mr. Ha affirmed that keeping these names is a way to show respect for the resilient and indomitable history and at the same time remind the next generation of patriotism and the responsibility to protect the country's sovereignty.

Give the new name a comprehensive meaning

* Associate Professor, Dr. PHAM XUAN THACH (University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi)

In my opinion, when naming a new locality, it is necessary to consult people with knowledge of culture and history.

I support the word naming method because this method is associated with Vietnamese tradition, so it is easier to enter people's emotions. Naming provinces based on geography, history, and culture has its own advantages.

In France, where I studied, although there is a tradition of naming administrative areas and streets with numbers, many provinces and regions also have geographical names.

I just note that when naming in this way, you also need to consider and calculate.

For example, when merging three localities into one, one could consider naming the new locality after an old locality, but this could cause disagreement among the people of the region while the people of the region whose name has been lost.

It is possible to choose a new name that covers all three old localities as was done before. For example, the name Ha Bac was given to the area that merged the two provinces of Ha Giang and Bac Ninh before.

* Writer Y BAN

I am inclined towards the option of naming with letters, reusing old names that are dear and familiar to the people, and have cultural and historical value. Using names that have geographical, cultural and historical significance is also a way to educate about the history and culture of the country.

* Associate Professor, Dr. BUI HOAI SON (Committee on Culture and Education):

Name is not just for calling

Naming new communes and wards by combining the original place name with the serial number is a solution that has the advantage of being easy to recognize and convenient for temporary management, but if viewed from a long-term perspective, there are probably many points to consider.

Because it lacks specificity and easily gives the feeling of mechanical, bureaucratic. Numbers are only for technical distinction, when attached to cultural and historical places, the name will lack depth and easily cause confusion.

Using numbers can create a sense of hierarchy or rank without intending to, and can easily lead to unnecessary comparisons between areas.

In addition, each new administrative unit is a living space with a community of residents with its own characteristics. Naming is an opportunity to express that identity. A name with a clear, memorable message, associated with tradition or the future will contribute to building a better community spirit.

In the long term, there should be a systematic renaming plan, with consultation with experts, the community and in accordance with the regional development plan. The name is not only for calling but also for remembering, sticking and developing.

* Associate Professor, Dr. PHAM VAN TINH (Director of Vietnam Studies Center):

Don't lose track of history

When talking about proper names, we are talking about a very important and sacred "naming symbol" that the community needs to respect.

Administrative place names are a field with the most changes because they are influenced by political and social factors throughout history.

Along with the country's name, the capital's name, the names of our provinces, districts, communes, villages and streets are also more or less subject to changes due to political events and administrative management requirements.

Renaming is a serious matter. It is true that renaming must follow the principles: simple, systematic, easy to manage and monitor.

However, administrative place names must also have historical and cultural significance. We should not "just keep it straight" and ignore the wishes, feelings, and attitudes of the community that uses it. In any case, place names in general still have inheritance, reflecting the aesthetic views and wishes of the community.

Each name on the map of Vietnamese places is associated with a legend, an achievement, something worth remembering... Changing it must be considered so as not to lose the historical traces that have been "fossilized" in linguistic units.

Also because the place names have entered the subconscious, are in everyone's memory, when mentioned we feel familiar, intimate and importantly create inspiration for the user.

It is impossible to formalize and mathematicalize geographical proper names. Otherwise, we will see that simplicity, haste, and disregard for historical, cultural, and psychological factors of the user community is "more harmful than beneficial".

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ten-dat-ten-vung-dau-chi-co-nghia-ngon-tu-20250328091153609.htm