Ho Chi Minh City Wards Propose Sticking to Current Boundaries Amid Merger Discussions

Following a year of operating under a new administrative structure, numerous wards and communes across Ho Chi Minh City are advocating against further mergers. These local authorities report stable operations and believe they meet the necessary criteria for area and population, urging the preservation of their current boundaries.

The push to maintain existing administrative divisions comes despite some areas not fully meeting the standards for population or area outlined by the National Assembly Standing Committee's Resolution 112/2025. For instance, Saigon Ward, a central district, covers over 3 square kilometers and has a population exceeding 41,000. It hosts thousands of businesses and is a hub for central government agencies and international consulates.

Local leaders in these central wards, including Saigon, Ben Thanh, and Tan Dinh, emphasize that their current configuration is crucial for maintaining efficient service delivery to citizens and businesses. They argue that further administrative changes could disrupt operations and negatively impact the quality of services. Similar sentiments are echoed in suburban areas, where wards like Binh Trung and Binh Tan, which exceed population and area requirements, also propose remaining independent.