The 9th session of the 15th National Assembly officially opened this morning, launching deliberations on 54 legislative and constitutional matters, including a landmark resolution to merge provinces and reorganize administrative structures.

This session, seen as one of the most consequential in recent history, is being conducted in two phases: the first from May 5 to 29 and the second from June 11 to 30. Lawmakers will examine three constitutional resolutions and 51 legal documents, in addition to 14 key issues related to socio-economic development, state budgets, oversight, and national priorities.

Parliamentarians are expected to approve amendments to the 2013 Constitution and pass a resolution on the merger of provincial administrative units. The session will also address the establishment of a National Election Council, the election of its Chairperson, the shortening of the current National Assembly and People's Council term (2021-2026), and setting the date for the next general elections for the 2026-2031 term.

The opening day featured a report from the Prime Minister, assessing the implementation of 2024’s socio-economic and budget plans and outlining developments for the early months of 2025. Of particular note is the proposal to raise public investment to 2% of GDP over the next five years, alongside new mandates such as restructuring government agencies and waiving school fees.

The National Assembly also heard a summary report from the President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, highlighting voter feedback and public opinion.

A draft amendment to several constitutional provisions and the formation of a committee to revise the Constitution were presented. Parliamentarians began group discussions this afternoon on these constitutional amendments and the structure of the drafting committee. A vote on the resolution to amend the Constitution followed.

The government also introduced key legislative proposals, including the Law on Personal Data Protection, amendments to the Law on Efficient Energy Use, and the Law on Atomic Energy.

Parliament speaker calls current session 'historically significant'

In a meeting on May 4, National Assembly Chairperson Tran Thanh Man presided over a briefing with party leaders and heads of provincial delegations to discuss the importance of this 9th session.

He emphasized that the main focus of the session is the revision of the Constitution and laws that support the restructuring of governmental bodies and the two-tier local government model. The amendments aim to eliminate systemic barriers and establish a streamlined, legally sound foundation for national development.

According to Chairperson Man, constitutional revisions will cover eight out of 120 articles, primarily concerning the Vietnam Fatherland Front and political-social organizations, along with Chapter 9, which pertains to local government structure.

The public will have one month, from May 6 to June 5, to provide feedback on the proposed amendments. Despite the urgency, Chairperson Man stressed the need for precision and thoroughness in every phase of the legislative process.

To align with Politburo Conclusion No. 150 on key leadership appointments, the amended Constitution will include transitional clauses in Article 2 to ensure consistency with central directives.

The restructuring plan includes the merger of provincial administrative units, covered under 12 proposed laws and one resolution. Chairperson Man described this as a historic task, noting that the initiative has broad public support and is expected to streamline governance and reduce redundancy.

He urged legislators to engage deeply, discuss democratically, and contribute meaningfully to achieve the highest quality outcomes.

Regarding the elections, Chairperson Man emphasized that delegation leaders must clearly communicate the rationale behind shortening the 15th National Assembly's term and the People's Councils' tenure. He also addressed preparations for the formation of the National Election Council and the scheduling of the next general elections.

“This session marks a pivotal moment in our nation's development,” Chairperson Man said. “Never before have we undertaken such an extensive governmental reform. The first phase involved merging Party, Assembly, and Government agencies at the local level. This second phase is significantly more complex and demands political and ideological leadership.”

He called on all lawmakers to innovate, maximize their commitment, study the materials thoroughly, and make heartfelt, intelligent contributions to combat bureaucratic self-interest and prioritize national welfare.

A two-tier government: New legal framework to end district-level administration

This legislative session is expected to approve transformative changes, including the merger of provinces and a new local government structure that eliminates district-level administration, creating a two-tier system comprising only provincial and communal levels.

Vice Chair of the National Assembly's Delegate Affairs Committee, Ta Thi Yen, explained why this session is historic: spanning nearly two months with 37 working days, including weekends, and covering an unprecedented volume of content. The National Assembly is examining three constitutional resolutions, 51 legislative documents, and 14 thematic areas covering socio-economic development, budget oversight, and urgent policy decisions recently adopted by the Party Central Committee.

One of the most revolutionary proposals is the reduction of provinces from 63 to 34 through administrative mergers. Key legislation including the Law on Local Government Organization, Civil Servants Law, and the 2015 Election Law will also be revised to support the transition.

According to Yen, the two-tier system (province and commune) will improve governance by removing intermediate layers. This change will streamline directives, minimize delays, and eliminate overlapping responsibilities between districts and communes. It also promises clearer accountability, faster decision-making, and more efficient allocation of public funds and human resources.

Fewer administrative units will result in considerable cost savings. The number of communes will be reduced from over 10,000 to approximately 3,000, freeing up resources for public investment in education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

She stressed the need for careful planning to manage the transition, especially for displaced officials, ensuring they receive adequate support and appropriate new roles. The aim is to retain competent personnel and uphold institutional effectiveness.

Echoing General Secretary To Lam’s sentiment, she emphasized that the goal of provincial mergers goes beyond mathematical efficiency. “This isn’t just 2 plus 2 equals 4, but 2 plus 2 must be greater than 4,” she said, underscoring the transformative potential of the reform.

The human factor in reform: Placing the right people in the right roles

For the two-tier government model to succeed, personnel management is critical. Civil servants must be reassessed, retrained, or redeployed. Some may take early retirement, and those who remain must be capable of adapting to new demands.

Upcoming amendments to the Civil Servants Law will introduce new criteria for evaluating and promoting officials, moving from tenure-based promotion to a merit-based system aligned with job requirements and performance outcomes. The changes will also unify the public service framework from central to local levels.

These reforms aim to build a streamlined, competent, and transparent administrative apparatus that can drive the next phase of Vietnam's development.

Tran Thuong