The country is moving toward eliminating the district-level administrative units and merging many communes to form larger administrative entities. While this transformation marks a significant milestone in the modernization of State management, it also brings inevitable concerns and reflections from those directly affected.

Ready to follow the assignment…

Despite apprehensions about the impending reorganization, officials and staff at Mường Phăng Commune People’s Committee (Điện Biên Phủ city) are maintaining their usual working rhythm. The leadership and civil servants continue receiving citizens and handling public feedback in accordance with regulations and timelines.

Among them is Lò Văn Hợp, Deputy Secretary of the commune Party Committee, who has served the longest. Having held various roles and even been temporarily out of work during previous restructurings, Hợp remains committed and has become a source of support and encouragement for others.

“Administrative merging is a major policy directive, guiding from the central to local levels, setting the stage for national development. Though we have not received the official plan yet, we have already instructed our team to stay calm and focus on duties. Mường Phăng currently has 20 officials and civil servants, most of whom are young. Based on the criteria for streamlining, retirement age, and restructuring guidance, none are currently in the affected group. But we are fully aware that changes are coming. Some will leave, some will be reassigned, and some may be demoted, but everyone here is prepared to follow the Party’s and State’s assignment,” he added.

At Phìn Hồ commune (Nậm Pồ district), operations remain stable as well. Commune’s units continue to receive citizens and process administrative work smoothly.

Vàng A Thính, Chairman of the Phìn Hồ commune People’s Committee, shared: “We currently have 23 staff members. Recently, we have disseminated all official documents and guidelines regarding the restructuring of commune-level administrative units. There are even five staff members who have voluntarily applied to step down to make room for the new organizational setup.”

“I may no longer hold my current post or may be relocated far from home. Still, my colleagues and I fully support the reform. We want the process to be smooth and quick so that the new administrative structure can soon stabilize,” he added.

…but concerns remain

At the commune level, there are six designated civil service positions, including: Chief of the Military Command, Office and Statistics, Land Administration and Environment (or Urban Planning in towns), Finance and Accounting, Justice and Civil Status, and Culture and Society.

Political and mass organizations are led by the Party Secretary and Deputy Secretary, Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons of the People’s Council and People’s Committee, and representatives from the Women’s Union, Youth Union, Farmers’ Union, and Veterans’ Association.

On April 7, the Government issued a resolution to implement the administrative restructuring plan, directing provinces and cities to submit proposals by May 1 for review by the National Assembly Standing Committee. The Ministry of Home Affairs will assess the proposals and submit them to the Government by May 30, with a final review and decision expected before June 20.

This tight timeline places commune-level officials in a sensitive position. While they must maintain uninterrupted public services, the restructuring will directly affect their careers, prompting concerns about job security, work relocation, and administrative challenges.

In Điện Biên, the province’s rugged terrain and remote villages already make travel between districts and communes time-consuming, often taking a full day. Some local officials worry that merging communes and eliminating district-level units will worsen access to public services, particularly in urgent or emergency cases.

Mùa A Thào, Vice Chairman of the Tả Phìn commune People’s Committee (Tủa Chùa district), noted: “We support the policy direction, but practical difficulties must be considered. Some communes have remote hamlets that become isolated during the rainy season. If administrative offices are farther away, timely service becomes a real challenge. Additionally, we must consider how to repurpose or manage government buildings that may be left unused after the streamlining.”

Further complicating matters, Điện Biên is a high-poverty province with limited local budgets, so there is no financial support beyond what is outlined in national decrees (No.177, No.178/CP) for staff resignations or early retirement. As communes and districts are consolidated, affected staff may face relocation, reduced income, or job loss, without sufficient support.

There are also concerns about the workload. Though the number of officials may decrease, the administrative responsibilities remain the same or even increase due to expanded jurisdiction. This imbalance will place pressure on the remaining workforce, possibly affecting service quality.

“During the restructuring, we hope that local authorities will assign jobs that match each person’s expertise and experience,” Hợp said. “We also hope that the Central Party Committee and Ministry of Home Affairs will develop supportive policies so that all officials, whether they stay or leave, can continue to support their families and serve the country and the people effectively.”

By: Hà Linh