These are commune-level administrative units that have just been recognized as island communes by the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province.
According to the Law on Health Insurance, people living in island communes enjoy many outstanding benefits in terms of health insurance. Accordingly, from December 1, 2025, all people in the area of 4 commune-level administrative units recognized as the above island communes will be granted 100% free health insurance cards, instead of having to buy them themselves at the rate of 1,263,600 VND/ card/year.
Along with that, people are entitled to 100% of the cost of health insurance examination and treatment at the right level, instead of only receiving 80% before; treating diseases at the other level does not require a referral letter and is still covered by the health insurance fund for inpatient treatment costs.
In addition to the above policy, people in the above administrative units of Quang Ninh who participate in voluntary social insurance will be supported by the State with 231,000 VND/person.
Cai Chien commune, formerly part of the old Hai Ha district, is an island located far from the shore. This is also the only commune-level administrative unit in Quang Ninh that does not have to be merged due to terrain, population and is an independent island.
Vinh Thuc commune was formerly under the old Mong Cai city. Vinh Thuc commune was merged with Vinh Trung commune to form Vinh Thuc commune.
Meanwhile, Co To Special Zone was formed on the basis of changing the natural area and population of Co To town, Thanh Lan commune and Dong Tien commune in the old Co To island district.
Van Don Special Zone was formed on the basis of changing the natural area and population of the previous administrative units of Van Don district, including many island communes, such as: Ban Sen, Minh Chau, Ngoc Vung, Quan Lan, Thang Loi...
According to Decision No. 40/2025/QD-TTg dated October 31, 2025 on criteria, order, and procedures for recognizing island communes and safe zone communes during the resistance war against France and the US, to become island communes, the following two criteria must be met:
Having 50% or more of the natural area of islands and archipelagos as prescribed in Article 19 of the Law on the Vietnam Sea 2012 (amended and supplemented in the Law on Organization of Local Government dated June 16, 2025), or having the entire natural area of islets isolated from the mainland, with conditions similar to the islands.
There are people residing or having armed forces stationed on islands, islands, and islands to participate in managing, protecting national defense, security and sovereignty of the sea and islands.
