Hanoi to pilot two-tiered local government later this month

Ngoc Mai

Jun 13, 2025 / 04:06 PM

The trial will last for a week before it officially begins operating on July 1.

THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi will operate the two-tier government (municipal and commune/ward) on a trial basis from June 20 to 26 to assess administrative coordination before it takes effect on July 1.

Hình ảnh 1 — Locals at an administrative office in Hanoi. Photo: Pham Hung/The Hanoi Times

The Hanoi Party Committee announced this plan as part of an effort to roll out the two-tier local government across the city.

From June 20 to 26, public administrative services will be provided to residents, as well as to departments, sectors, local authorities, citizens, and businesses, according to the two-tier administration.

On June 27, a review will be conducted to draw conclusions and proceed with full-scale implementation.

Various scenarios are contemplated, including sending and receiving official documents and handling the intake and response to feedback from citizens and businesses via the iHanoi app or directly at public reception counters.

The trial will also involve processing administrative procedures at the commune level, such as certification, notarization, and birth and death registration. It will also cover other administrative services related to civil status, land, and construction.

These services will be provided at the offices of the 126 newly reorganized communes and wards, as well as at designated public service centers throughout the city, including 12 branches of the Hanoi Public Administrative Service Center and various local administrative service points in the newly established communes and wards.

Following the trial phase, the new administrative apparatus, consisting of the municipal government and the 126 communes and wards in Hanoi, will officially begin operating on July 1.

The two-tier local government structure, which is organized at the provincial or municipal and commune levels, has been widely adopted around the world because it balances macro-level governance with direct service delivery. This structure enables provincial authorities to plan unified policies while ensuring flexibility and responsiveness to the diverse necessities of local communities.

Eliminating the intermediate district level reduces costs and enhances transparency in governance.

Hanoi has taken a leading role in this reform by consolidating 526 communes, wards, and townships into 126 administrative units at the commune level, reducing the number of administrative units by over 76% and exceeding the central government's target.