On August 13, the Office of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee sent a document to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Home Affairs conveying the opinions of the leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee on continuing to study the plan to arrange commune-level administrative units in the city.
According to the direction of Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong, the Department of Home Affairs is assigned to preside over and coordinate with the Organization Committee of the City Party Committee and relevant agencies and units to review administrative units that do not fully meet standards and conditions or have arising irrationalities in the operation process.
The review must be based on criteria, principles, conditions and procedures prescribed by the Central Government. On that basis, the city will develop an adjustment plan in case of real necessity, ensuring science, prudence, creating social consensus and minimizing disruption.
The Department of Home Affairs is responsible for advising the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee to submit to the Standing Committee of the Party Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee to report to the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee for consideration and policy approval. This content is required to be completed before August 25, 2026.
Previously, the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee requested to continue to study the plan to arrange commune-level administrative units in the area.
Accordingly, the Party Committees of communes, wards, and special zones must organize an expanded Party Committee Executive Committee meeting to comprehensively assess the organizational and operational situation of the locality after the operation of the 2-level local government model.
The assessment content focuses on the conditions and standards of commune-level administrative units; the actual situation in the area; management requirements, serving people and development orientations in each period.
Notably, if they find it really necessary to adjust, localities are required to develop plans based on science, caution, ensuring the consensus of the people, the unity between relevant administrative units and in accordance with practical requirements.
After the conference, communes, wards, and special zones must send results reports to the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee through the Organization Committee of the City Party Committee before August 30, 2026.
The Party Committee of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee is assigned to direct the City People's Committee leaders to direct the Department of Home Affairs and relevant departments, branches, and units to coordinate with the City Party Committee's Organization Committee to review administrative units that do not fully meet standards, conditions, or have unreasonable issues arising during operation.
The Ho Chi Minh City Development Research Board is assigned to develop a thematic report, analyze the current situation and propose a plan, to be completed before August 30, 2026.
The Organization Committee of the City Party Committee is responsible for coordinating, monitoring, urging and summarizing reports to the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee, to be completed before September 5, 2026.
Meanwhile, the City Party Committee Office is assigned to monitor and urge the implementation process, coordinate to handle difficulties and obstacles; and at the same time appraise and advise the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee.
After merging with Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Ho Chi Minh City currently has 168 commune-level administrative units, including 113 wards, 54 communes and 1 special zone.
