Why don't some provinces merge with other provinces?

Similarly, Hung Yen can be calculated to be combined with the adjacent coastal province. This is also a condition for this locality to have sea space, at the same time creating effective connection and exploitation of sea space for the new administrative unit.

Here is another example, we used to have Ha Nam Ninh province. Until now we still see that if three provinces separated from this province and merged together, it is still reasonable because this is a province with sea space.

Thus, the current merger needs to be based on practical conditions associated with established criteria and principles, focusing on opening up development space.

Speaking to Dan Tri newspaper reporter , Mr. Tran Ngoc Chinh, former Deputy Minister of Construction, Chairman of Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association, said that the country has a golden opportunity to merge provinces after completing the central apparatus. According to Mr. Chinh, merging provinces is a very big task, it must be done very scientifically and carefully...

Sir, many experts believe that we have many provinces with small populations, little land, difficult to develop, and more or less unnecessary competition, and the merger is in line with the development trend. In fact, we have also gone through mergers and separations in recent years, and this merger, it is known that we have both plans to re-establish previous spaces, and at the same time, there are plans to open up completely new development spaces. What can you say about this?

- That is appropriate in the current socio-economic context of the country. For example, Hai Duong and Hung Yen were previously separated from Hai Hung province. The two provinces above have small areas, both develop industry and are located in the Hanoi capital region. Every province does industry, logistics, and urban development...

The second problem is that Hai Duong and Hung Yen provinces are both close to Hanoi. If these two provinces were merged, they would create a larger space, but such a merger would not create an independent, autonomous economic development space because they have no sea.

Hai Duong is an industrial province that needs to be merged with a coastal province to create a complete development space. Then, the development conditions of the two provinces will be more complete.

Thus, the current merger needs to be based on practical conditions associated with established criteria and principles, focusing on opening up development space.

The notable point in this merger plan is the possibility of merging a province in the Central Highlands with a province in the South Central Coast. This seems to be different from the long-standing socio-economic regional thinking, but if implemented, it will bring a completely new development space, don't you think?

- I say this, Kon Tum province of the Central Highlands can be merged into the adjacent coastal province of the South Central Coast, then Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Lam Dong are similar.

There is a strong change in thinking about economic space here. I think this is right, because a province in the Central Highlands with potential and advantages in land, minerals, and natural resources needs to have a sea space to promote its advantages.

Thus, the economic development space is not only vertical but also horizontal in a complete way.

But can this bring high economic efficiency, sir?

- I want to say that there is a breakthrough in the thinking of experts and administrative workers about administrative boundaries. If we only think in terms of territories, meaning merging this Central Highlands province with another Central Highlands province, it will clearly lack an important marine economic space, necessary for comprehensive and effective development.

But the thinking here is that there must be economic development. After the merger, transportation must develop to bring goods from the mountains to the coast closer, faster and vice versa.

The merger not only creates room for economic development but also enhances security and defense capabilities.

In this merger, there are provinces that will not merge with any other province. What can you say about the current development space of these non-merged provinces?

- For example, Quang Ninh did not merge with any province. This is a province that borders China, is also a coastal province and has developed very well. In recent years, this province has urbanized very quickly, currently has 5 cities.

This Northeastern province is one of the most developed provinces in the North because it has a port, tourism, and world natural wonders. Suppose, if the issue of merging with a neighboring province is raised, it would not be necessary.

Regarding Lang Son province, a province with a national transportation system connecting with China, this locality is also considered and calculated to have sufficient conditions for development, because this is a province with many border economic zones. This ensures sustainable socio-economic development and national security.

Furthermore, Lang Son is also a place that has gone down in our history and is also the starting point connecting international roads and railways through Huu Nghi border gate.

As for Cao Bang, this province also has the conditions to develop with many border economic zones, favorable land and minerals. Cao Bang is also the "cradle" of the Revolution, the starting point of the historic Ho Chi Minh trail.

How do you envision a map, an overall picture of the country after unification, and what the development space will be like?

- According to the latest public information I have, I think we will have a picture of a rather innovative and special administrative space. I think this picture will create a space for strong and sustainable development in the future.