The project to rearrange and reorganize administrative units at all levels and build a two-level local government organization model was approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 759/QD-TTg.

The project clearly states 7 principles for organizing and rearranging commune-level administrative units in the 2-level local government model.

Commune-level administrative units are rearranged in the direction of eliminating the intermediate level (district level), forming new commune-level administrative units, including communes, wards and special zones; there are no longer administrative units of cities under provinces, cities under centrally-run cities, towns, districts, counties and townships.

In that case, in case of arranging wards with administrative units of the same level, the new administrative unit after the arrangement is the ward; in case of arranging communes and towns, the new administrative unit after the arrangement is the commune.

The project also clearly states the principle of converting current island districts and island cities into commune-level administrative units called special zones.

Accordingly, there are 11 special economic zones in the province formed from 11 island districts, including: Van Don, Co To, Cat Hai, Truong Sa, Hoang Sa, Phu Quy, Kien Hai, Bach Long Vi, Con Co, Ly Son, Con Dao.

Particularly for Phu Quoc City, Kien Giang Province, the competent authority has agreed to separate Tho Chau commune of Phu Quoc City to establish a separate district, accordingly studying the establishment of 2 special zones: Phu Quoc and Tho Chau.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has also informed about the model when it comes into operation with special zones, including the above island districts.

The Law on Organization of Local Government 2025 (amended) will specify the organizational model and operation methods of local governments at provincial and commune levels (including special economic zones on islands).

The draft Law being submitted to the National Assembly proposes the following model of organization of local government in special zones: Special zones are local governments at the commune level with an organizational structure consisting of the People's Council and the People's Committee.

In which, the People's Council at the commune level establishes 2 Committees: the Legal Committee and the Economic - Social Committee.

For the People's Committees at the commune level (including special economic zones on islands), the Government will issue a Decree specifying the organization of specialized agencies and other administrative organizations under the People's Committees at the commune level.

Accordingly, it is expected to organize a maximum of 4 specialized departments and equivalents under the People's Committee at the commune level (including special zones) suitable to the characteristics of urban, rural and island areas, including: Office of the People's Council and People's Committee; Economic Department (for communes and special zones) or Economic, Infrastructure and Urban Department (for wards and special zones in Phu Quoc); Department of Culture - Society; Public Administration Service Center.

As for commune-level administrative units, the status quo (no arrangement) may be maintained: There may be no specialized departments; the Government plans to arrange an additional Vice Chairman of the People's Committee and a number of civil servants for the People's Committees at the commune level where there are no specialized departments and assign the local authorities at the provincial level to make specific decisions for each commune-level administrative unit in the area.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/du-kien-mo-hinh-khi-van-hanh-cua-13-dac-khu-sau-sap-xep-701155.html