Quang Ngai Province covers more than 14,832 sqm (ranking fifth nationwide in geographic size) and has a population of nearly 2.2 million, with 96 commune-level administrative units.

The province has 1,710 villages, hamlets and residential groups. Of these, 1,104 are located in mountainous, ethnic minority and upland areas, including 561 especially disadvantaged villages.

In terms of household size, there are significant disparities. The province has 52 villages with fewer than 50 households; 598 villages with between 60 and fewer than 200 households; 288 villages with between 200 and fewer than 300 households; and 554 villages with 300 households or more.

Among residential groups, one has fewer than 150 households, 15 have between 150 and fewer than 250 households, 77 have between 250 and fewer than 450 households, and 125 have 450 households or more.

Quang Ngai is reorganizing villages and residential groups to streamline the administrative apparatus and improve grassroots governance.

Under the overall restructuring plan, the province will reduce 546 village-level and residential-group units, equivalent to 31.9 percent of the current total.

After the restructuring process, Quang Ngai will have 1,164 villages and residential groups.

Public support

Communes are currently collecting public opinions on the plan. Initial feedback shows broad support for the policy.

A Vinh, head of Mo Panh Village in Dak To Kan Commune, said that under the commune’s proposal, Mo Panh, Dak Trang and Ngoc Nang 2 villages will be merged into a single village named Tea Uyn. In Xo Dang language, Tea Uyn is the name of a stream flowing through the three former villages.

According to A Lui, a respected community figure in Lung Leng Village of Sa Binh Commune, the commune recently consulted residents on merging Lung Leng with Binh Loong Village while retaining the name Lung Leng.

“Both villages are inhabited by Gia Rai people and share similar economic conditions and traditional cultural values. I believe this restructuring will create better conditions for residents in both villages to develop together,” A Lui said.

Under the schedule, commune-level People’s Committees are responsible for reviewing and finalizing restructuring proposals, organizing public consultations and submitting them to commune-level People’s Councils for approval before June 30, 2026.

Personnel challenges

Requirements and standards for party cell secretaries, village heads and heads of Fatherland Front working committees are implemented in accordance with the Party Charter, the Law on the Vietnam Fatherland Front and Quang Ngai’s “People Trust – Party Appoints” initiative.

Under the plan, by 2030, Quang Ngai aims for 50 percent of party cell secretaries, village heads and residential-group leaders to hold university degrees and intermediate-level political theory qualifications or higher. It also aims for 100 percent of them to receive training and updated knowledge on professional skills and legal regulations relevant to their positions.

However, selecting personnel in mountainous and ethnic minority villages remains challenging, as many current party cell secretaries and village heads do not meet educational requirements. This has become a major obstacle for local authorities.

Vuong Van Muoi, chair of the People’s Committee of Dak To Kan Commune, said the commune covers more than 13,394ha of rugged mountainous terrain. It currently has 16 villages with more than 9,210 residents, over 95 percent of whom are ethnic minorities. Under the restructuring plan, the number of villages will be reduced to five.

According to Muoi, the biggest challenge is personnel. Of the 41 people currently holding leadership positions across the 16 villages, only two have university degrees and five have finished high school.

While the current team generally fulfills its duties, limited educational qualifications make it difficult to meet the demands of modern governance and digital transformation.

Kon Dao Commune faces a similar situation. Bui Tien Ly, secretary of the Kon Dao Commune Party Committee, said that among leaders in the commune’s 19 villages, only two have university degrees and five have intermediate-level qualifications, while the rest have general education or below.

“The commune’s approach is to select reputable and capable individuals who have at least completed upper secondary education. They can then receive further training to meet qualification standards over time,” he added.

Under the requirements of the new governance model, village and residential-group officials are expected to possess educational qualifications and digital skills.

Vu Diep