These days, at the western gateway of Hai Duong City, the border section between Lai Cach Town (Cam Giang District) and Tu Minh Ward, many people have stopped their vehicles and stood to take souvenir photos next to the sign "Hai Duong City makes an appointment to meet again".
The familiar sign for many years suddenly became a special destination at a historic moment: Hai Duong and Hai Phong were about to merge, at the same time dropping the district level, switching to a two-level government model.
The merger of the two localities will lead to changes in boundaries, names and administrative institutions. In the mood of waiting for a new chapter of the state apparatus, many people take the opportunity to save familiar images, before the local symbols can change or no longer exist in the old form.
Ms. Vu Thi Lan (residing in Hai Duong City) shared: "I have passed this sea thousands of times, but today I decided to stop to take a souvenir photo. Hearing that there will be many changes in the coming time, there may not be this sign anymore, so take the opportunity to preserve some memories.
Not only the people in the city, many people from neighboring districts and Hai Phong also come to take photos and share on social networks as a way to say goodbye to a familiar place. The check-in photos next to the sign quickly spread, accompanied by many emotions: regret, excitement, and resentment.
According to the plan, after the merger, the entire Hai Duong province - Hai Phong city will operate according to the model of local government at two levels: provincial level and commune/ward/etown level. District-level administrative units will be dissolved, merged or have their functions changed.
In that context, symbols associated with old administrative boundaries - such as district, city or welcome sign names - will no longer be suitable.
Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, a retired cadre living near the tourist welcome sign area of Hai Duong City, said: "This is a sign marking the boundary between the district and the city, but in the future there will be no longer a district level.
I used to work in the administrative apparatus, so I understand the history of this time. Saving a photo is also a way to remember the transitional period of the homeland".
People and tourists need to pay attention to ensuring traffic order and safety when checking in at the welcome sign area in Hai Duong City. Stop, park the vehicle in the right place and avoid crowding on the road.
The event of merging two localities and removing district level is a big step in reforming the administrative apparatus, aiming to streamline the organization and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of state management. However, for many people, this is also the time to look back at the places that have been associated for many years and record the moment before entering a new phase.
Although that sign can be dismantled, replaced or moved soon, for many Hai Duong people, it is still a part of memories - a place that every time they travel far away, they feel familiar with, like a silent greeting from their homeland.
