On the afternoon of April 18, the Standing Committee of the Hai Phong Party Committee met with the Standing Committee of the Hai Duong Provincial Party Committee to discuss and reach agreement on implementing the Politburo’s conclusions, the Secretariat’s decisions, and central Party documents concerning the merger of Hai Duong Province and Hai Phong City; and the reorganization of commune-level administrative units. The meeting was chaired by Comrade Le Tien Chau, Politburo member, Secretary of the Hai Phong Party Committee, and Head of the city’s National Assembly delegation; and Comrade Tran Duc Thang, Politburo member, Secretary of the Hai Duong Provincial Party Committee.
Hai Duong Province and Hai Phong City share deep historical, cultural, geographical, and socio-economic ties. Over recent years, the two localities have actively coordinated and cooperated in key areas—transport, trade and industry, tourism, agriculture, political security, public order—achieving positive results and reinforcing their role as regional growth drivers. Therefore, the plan to merge them into a centrally administered city is both right and strategically lengthy-term, supporting the country's entry into a new development era, maximizing potential and advantage, and establishing a comprehensive development center to become the third “special-class city” in Vietnam after Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (total area after merger: 3,195 km², with the third-largest economy nationwide).
During the meeting, leaders from both sides discussed and agreed on implementing the conclusions of the Politburo and Secretariat, and the 11th plenum of the 13th Central Executive Committee’s resolutions on reorganizing provincial and commune-level administrative units and forming a two-tier local government model. This includes public information, propaganda, mobilizing public opinion regarding the merger, and reorganizing commune-level administrative units.
They also agreed on developing and effectively implementing the merger plan, ensuring its quality and progress, and preparing the legal procedures and timeline for central approval. They planned the realignment of commune-level units, coordinated the preparation of documents for the 2025–2030 Party Congresses, and discussed the allocation of party, government, and mass organization headquarters in the new administrative unit, public servant housing, transport connections, and socio-economic targets.
Comrade Tran Duc Thang praised the close, constructive cooperation in preparing for the central directives to reorganize state apparatus and plan the merger. The past years’ close coordination, joint investment, economic–social development achievements, and strengths of each locality will serve as a solid foundation and driving force for a comprehensive, sustainable new entity. Both localities had timely and regulatory adherence in preparing for the merger.
Comrade Thang essentially approved the draft coordination plan between the two Standing Committees to prepare and implement the merger plan. He requested the local Party and administrative bodies focus on reviewing the draft prepared by Hai Phong to ensure accuracy and consensus before submission to the Centre. He also emphasized the preparation of Party Congress documents following the merger, ensuring unified content and direction.
He asked provincial and municipal governments to promptly coordinate in determining locations for party, government, and mass-organization offices of the new province-level unit, ensure convenience, efficiency, and economy; to address housing and transport needs of officials and civil servants; to agree on merger-related issues and socio-economic promotion; and to establish initial post-merger socio-economic targets to guide the unified city.
Comrade Le Tien Chau highlighted that the merger is not only central directives but also a growth opportunity to optimize both localities' resources to build a modern industrial, service, and logistics center with sustainable development and improved living standards. The meeting achieved high consensus, forming a solid basis for subsequent tasks. He urged continued public communication to build broad consensus among officials, party members, and citizens about reorganization and merger.
He assigned the Party Committee’s Office in Hai Phong to coordinate with that of Hai Duong in finalizing the merger plan draft. Office staff will gather feedback and complete details supporting the coordination plan between the two Standing Committees.
In addition to agreeing on headquarters placement, he stated that the two localities will conduct speedy research on building a regional transport connection between Hai Phong and Hai Duong to facilitate officials and citizens, and promote socio-economic development.
He also tasked relevant agencies and units to coordinate on preparing congress documents and organizing the merged Party Congress for 2025–2030, while ensuring socio-economic targets are met, and work continuity is maintained without interruption.
Finally, the Standing Committees of both parties signed a coordination plan to prepare and implement the merger. The plan calls for appointing working groups reporting to both Party Committees to advise and assist in preparing and carrying out the merger plan, and overseeing the merged Party Congress planning. The Party Committee Office in Hai Phong will serve as the standing office of this working group. The working group officially begins work as of April 22, 2025.