Politburo member and Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee Secretariat, Tran Cam Tu, has recently signed off on Conclusion No. 212 from the Politburo and Secretariat. The document outlines the direction for establishing standards for administrative units and classifying both administrative areas and urban zones.

According to the conclusion, during its session on November 14, the Politburo and Secretariat reached a basic consensus on the proposal submitted by the Government Party Committee regarding criteria for administrative units and the classification of both administrative areas and cities.

The Politburo and the Secretariat emphasized that this is a matter of great significance for national planning and strategic development. The new standards will serve as the foundation for designing suitable mechanisms and policies in line with urban classification and the administrative landscape of the future. It aims to enhance national development, modernize governance, and better serve the public.

They noted the importance of building upon past insights while introducing a forward-looking and long-term perspective. The conclusion stressed the need for sustainability, effective urban management, smart city development, and digital transformation.

The Politburo and Secretariat called for a thorough review and assessment of current impacts and the quality of urban areas and administrative units. This process is essential for establishing clear, scientific, and appropriate criteria that ensure consistency and stability after the political apparatus is reorganized.

“There must be urgent progress in finalizing classification criteria for administrative units and urban zones - particularly those with distinctive characteristics such as historic relics, cultural heritage, or scenic landscapes,” the conclusion stated.

These criteria must reflect urban development trends, prioritize environmental protection and architectural harmony, and maximize integration of services and technical infrastructure to ensure strong interconnectivity across urban and administrative systems.

An additional key requirement is the prompt appointment of capable personnel with strong managerial and professional expertise at the commune level. The Politburo and Secretariat also requested tailored policies and systems to match each type of administrative unit.

The Politburo and Secretariat assigned the Party Committee of the National Assembly to lead and direct the issuance of a resolution that defines unified and consistent standards for administrative units and urban classification. This resolution, which must be in line with the current two-tier local government system and broader trends, is expected to be completed within November.

In this framework, urban zones will be defined based on developmental space, characteristics, function, and national urban hierarchy - rather than solely as administrative entities. In cases where new wards are formed from previously merged townships, they must fully meet the prescribed standards and criteria.

The Government Party Committee has been tasked with directing relevant agencies to continue reviewing and refining legal documents related to standards and classifications of administrative and urban units. This must be done scientifically and coherently, and finalized within November to meet new national conditions.

Lastly, the Politburo and Secretariat emphasized the need for effective public communication so that officials, Party members, and citizens clearly understand the goals and significance of this effort - ensuring public consensus during implementation.

Tran Thuong