The Hanoi People's Committee has issued a plan to prepare documentation for adjusting the administrative boundary between Hanoi and Phu Tho province. The proposal is expected to be submitted to Vietnam's 16th National Assembly for consideration and approval at its second session.

Under the proposal, a total of 4,006.38 hectares would be transferred from Phu Tho to Hanoi, comprising 2,529.38 hectares within Ba Vi National Park and 1,477 hectares of surrounding buffer zones.

The proposed adjustment involves Ba Vi and Yen Xuan communes in Hanoi, as well as Thinh Minh and Luong Son communes and Ky Son ward in Phu Tho.

According to Hanoi authorities, the boundary adjustment aims to improve public administration, strengthen the management and conservation of Ba Vi National Park, and make better use of its natural assets. It is also intended to improve living standards, safeguard social welfare and protect the legitimate rights and interests of residents and businesses, while supporting development in border areas and the wider Hanoi Capital Region.

Reviewing land, population and residents' rights

Hanoi has assigned its Department of Home Affairs and Department of Agriculture and Environment to lead joint surveys with Phu Tho authorities, local administrations and the Ba Vi National Park Management Board.

The agencies will identify administrative boundaries and verify the areas to be transferred and received by each locality.

They must also review documentation covering the entire boundary, identify sections where existing arrangements are considered impractical, and compile inventories of records, public assets, projects and affected individuals and organizations, together with recommendations for addressing outstanding issues.

Hanoi police will coordinate with Phu Tho police to verify permanent and temporary resident populations before and after the proposed adjustment.

Relevant departments will review land-use plans, forests, infrastructure, budgets, public assets and financial obligations within the affected area.

The city has instructed agencies to prepare the handover and transfer arrangements alongside the development of the proposal, ensuring that essential public services and social policies continue without interruption.

Hanoi's Public Administrative Service Center will review service locations and pending applications, prepare for the transfer of administrative records and provide guidance to residents to prevent disruptions to administrative procedures.

Specialized agencies will also examine facilities, staffing, records and beneficiaries of public policies to maintain access to education, healthcare, social assistance and electricity.

Social insurance authorities will coordinate data reviews to ensure that benefits and payments continue without interruption.

Hanoi has additionally requested coordination with Phu Tho to classify affected projects and assess residents' preferences, allowing project-specific resettlement plans to be prepared if necessary.

Authorities will also develop arrangements for the management, conservation and development of Ba Vi National Park following any boundary adjustment.

Households to vote on proposal using paper ballots

Hanoi's Department of Home Affairs has instructed the administrations of all 126 communes and wards to organize public consultations on the proposal.

Paper questionnaires will be distributed to and collected from households between October 22 and 25.

Each household representative must select either "Agree" or "Disagree" on the questionnaire, then sign and provide their full name.

Consultation teams will deliver and collect the forms directly from households. They are prohibited from recording opinions or signing on behalf of household representatives.

Once the consultation period ends, local authorities will count the responses, compile the results and submit reports. They will also receive and address any concerns or difficulties arising during the process.

Under the timetable set out in Plan No. 402, once the public consultation results have been compiled and validated, the Hanoi People's Committee will submit the proposal to the municipal People's Council for consideration and feedback.

The communes directly affected will carry out corresponding procedures within their respective authority.

Hanoi expects to hold a special People's Council session in the first week of November and submit the documentation to the Ministry of Home Affairs for appraisal in the second week of the month.

The timetable is intended to ensure that the proposal is ready for consideration during the second session of the 16th National Assembly.

Handover and transfer plans are expected to be completed before November 15, with implementation to begin only after the National Assembly adopts a resolution approving the administrative boundary adjustment.

Thanh Hue