The recent policy to merge provinces and streamline local government has garnered strong public support. Many people advocate for choosing provincial names that reflect economic strength and integration, as it would provide a driving force for developing less prosperous areas. Others, however, emphasize the importance of preserving cultural and historical heritage.

Criteria for naming new provinces: Economy, population, transportation

A significant number of citizens support naming merged provinces after those with stronger economies and greater visibility. They believe that this strategy will help attract investment, increase integration, and propel collective progress.

Nguyen Ly, a reader, expressed: “I support naming provinces after those with better economic performance and stronger recognition. In this era of integration, choosing a well-known and developed name will create a positive impression and attract investment, boosting overall growth.”

Ngoc Bich also agreed, emphasizing that selecting a name based on economic development would make the new province more recognizable, fostering unity and guiding less developed areas toward progress.

However, some readers argue that names should reflect cultural and historical significance, considering factors like population and geographic size. Lai Cao Hanh proposed: “We should name the new province after the one with the larger population and richer cultural heritage. If they are comparable, we could combine names or even come up with a new one entirely.”

Drawing lessons from past mergers

Nguyen Van Khiem shared insights from the merger of Ha Tay into Hanoi, stating: “The merger didn’t change the essence of my hometown. People still see it as it always was, despite the administrative adjustments. I fully support merging provinces to reduce administrative expenses and eliminate regionalism.”

Tuan Van suggested practical solutions for utilizing existing infrastructure: “We should build new urban centers at central locations between merged provinces. In the meantime, existing city centers can continue to function with minimal changes. Gradually relocating administrative centers will save on costs and minimize disruption to residents.”

Others pointed out the risks of building entirely new administrative centers, suggesting instead that existing infrastructure be adapted to serve new functions, such as schools, parks, or hospitals.

Reducing costs, increasing efficiency

Many readers see the mergers as an opportunity to reduce public spending and increase welfare. Kim Thanh noted:

“Losing a provincial name isn’t something to regret. Instead, I’m glad that merging will save the budget, improve social welfare, and offer more opportunities to underdeveloped areas.”

Nguyen Duy Thang advocated for streamlining the bureaucracy: “By reducing the administrative apparatus and increasing salaries, we can attract talented people and ensure that leadership positions are filled by the most capable individuals.”

A few readers stressed that the consolidation should also address issues of power abuse and corruption, particularly small-scale, everyday corruption that undermines public trust.

By making careful, strategic decisions on provincial names and administrative arrangements, Vietnam can balance economic progress with cultural preservation, ensuring that each merged province becomes a symbol of collective growth and prosperity.