Ho Chi Minh City is considering new rules requiring streets with identical names within the same ward, commune or special administrative zone to be renamed, while limiting changes to familiar street names.
The Ho Chi Minh City People's Council is reviewing a draft resolution on naming and renaming streets and public facilities, including a provision requiring duplicate street names within the same local administrative area to be changed.
At the council's sixth session, a special meeting held on October 29, Cao Thanh Binh, head of its Culture and Social Affairs Committee, presented an appraisal report on the proposed regulations.
An overview of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council's sixth session, a special meeting held on October 29. Photo: Phuoc Sang
One of the most notable provisions would make it mandatory to rename streets sharing the same name within a ward, commune or special administrative zone.
According to Binh, street naming and renaming are currently governed by Government Decree No. 91/2005/ND-CP.
However, the existing regulations have revealed several shortcomings in Ho Chi Minh City. Definitions of different road categories are not fully aligned with specialized legislation, criteria for identifying large-scale public facilities remain unclear, and the responsibilities of relevant government agencies have not been adequately defined.
Binh said the municipal People's Committee's submission of the draft resolution to the People's Council was within its authority under Point d, Clause 1, Article 26 of the Law on Urban Development and addressed pressing practical needs.
Under the proposed principles, the city would minimize changes to established street names that residents have long been familiar with.
However, streets with identical names within the same ward, commune or special administrative zone would have to be renamed.
The regulations would also require street names to be unique within each administrative area and seek to minimize duplication between neighboring localities.
Another provision stipulates that only deceased individuals may have streets named after them.
Historical figures whose political reputations remain subject to differing assessments, or whose historical records have not been sufficiently clarified, would not be included in the city's official list of approved names for streets and public facilities.
Responsibilities for naming streets and public facilities
Cao Thanh Binh, head of the council's Culture and Social Affairs Committee, presents the appraisal report on the draft resolution. Photo: Phuoc Sang
The draft resolution also clarifies which authorities would be responsible for naming and renaming roads and public facilities.
The Ho Chi Minh City People's Council would retain the authority to approve names and name changes for streets and public facilities under municipal management, except where these powers have been delegated.
The municipal People's Committee would be responsible for naming healthcare and educational facilities managed by the city and grassroots administrations.
Meanwhile, People's Councils at ward, commune and special administrative zone levels would be authorized to name internal roads and streets within residential areas using geographical names or geographical names combined with numerical identifiers.
For existing streets that lack formal legal documentation or require corrections but otherwise meet the relevant criteria, the draft assigns the municipal People's Committee to compile a list for the People's Council to formally recognize through a resolution.
Officials said adopting the resolution would not require additional funding or an increase in public-sector staffing.
During the meeting, the Culture and Social Affairs Committee recommended that the city promptly review and formally recognize existing street names while addressing duplication within individual administrative areas.
The committee also proposed broader public consultations to expand the city's approved street-name database.
In addition, it recommended assigning street names when development projects are approved, rather than waiting until construction is completed.
Another proposal calls for the digitalization of street and public facility records, with unique identification codes assigned to each road and facility to improve management and consistency.
These measures are intended to establish a clearer, more coordinated system for street naming as Ho Chi Minh City continues to develop and manage its urban infrastructure.
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