The allocation and management of personnel post-merger must align with the functions, mandates, and structure of each agency or unit. It must also reflect job position requirements and adhere to administrative reform goals, streamlining staff while improving quality, efficiency, and performance. These points are detailed in official dispatch No. 09/CV-BCD dated May 30, 2025, implementing conclusion No. 155-KL/TW (May 17, 2025) and conclusion No. 157-KL/TW (May 25, 2025) of the Politburo on restructuring the administrative apparatus and units by June 30, 2025.

With a “building the plane while flying it” approach, the Steering Committee has issued timely guidance to ensure the restructuring progresses as scheduled. The goal is for newly merged commune-level units to become operational by July 1, 2025, with full implementation completed by July 15, and at the provincial level by August 15.

After the merger process, the new administrative map will consist of 34 provinces and centrally governed cities (28 provinces and 6 cities), with a total of 3,321 communes and wards. The 32-person staffing framework at the commune level does not include personnel from the Party, mass organizations, or commune-level military commands. The positions covered include leadership of the People’s Council and People’s Committee, two council committees, and three specialized departments. Staffing increases will be based on population size: in mountainous areas, one additional staff member is allocated per 1,000 residents above 16,000; in other regions, the threshold is 2,000. Staffing is capped at 50 per commune and 70 per ward or special zone.

During the transition, existing civil servants and contracted workers will largely retain their positions and be reassigned within the new administrative structure. Over the next five years, a roadmap for streamlining staff and enhancing quality will be implemented to meet regulatory staffing limits.

Under the two-tier local government model, Điện Biên province will have 45 commune-level units (3 wards and 42 communes) post-merger. Currently, the province has 2,571 commune-level civil servants and 1,380 part-time workers. An additional 1,248 district-level civil servants will be reassigned to commune-level posts. These human resources will be gradually reallocated across the new administrative units, while current staffing levels remain unchanged during the initial phase. A five-year restructuring plan will then follow, focusing on streamlining and quality improvement. All part-time positions at the commune level will be terminated by August 1, 2025, with compensation provided per regulations. Those meeting professional criteria and demonstrating commitment will be reassigned to hamlets or residential groups.

In terms of Party organization, the Standing Board of the Điện Biên provincial Party Committee has issued Plan No. 19-DA/TU to dissolve 10 district-level and 129 commune-level Party committees, affecting 460 grassroots Party organizations and 42,483 members (including 37,100 at the commune level). After the merger, 45 new commune-level Party committees will be established. All existing civil servants and workers at the district level will be reassigned to the new communes and wards. Each newly formed Party committee will have between 400 and over 4,400 members and will be staffed with 15-17 personnel handling Party affairs, the Fatherland Front, and socio-political organizations. In some special cases, up to 20 positions may be allocated. Key commune-level leadership roles will be filled by qualified district-level officials, prioritizing those with experience, integrity, and professional expertise, as well as young officials, women, ethnic minorities, and those with scientific or technological backgrounds.

With strong consensus and high-level commitment, provincial agencies are focusing on developing comprehensive reorganization plans to ensure alignment from the provincial to grassroots level. The overarching goal is to foster political and public consensus, avoid unreasonable territorial or functional fragmentation, maintain staff morale, and ensure administrative efficiency.

The Government’s Steering Committee has urged provinces and cities to coordinate the reorganization of commune-level administrative units and public service agencies with the two-tier local government model. This is essential for maintaining the delivery of public services. Any challenges during implementation should be promptly reported for resolution.

Strict and well-guided implementation, in line with central Government directives, will help localities meet the timeline for the two-tier governance model while maintaining staff confidence and operational continuity. Post-merger, both provincial and commune-level agencies will function seamlessly, ensuring no service gaps and timely resolution of public matters.