Reasons for choosing Phu Tho province and establishing the administrative center in Viet Tri city

On April 30, the draft project for the arrangement of Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, and Hoa Binh provinces was finalized and submitted to the central government. The project outlined the rationale, necessity, and basis for naming the new province Phu Tho and selecting Viet Tri City as its administrative-political center.

Viet Tri City is designated as the administrative-political center of the newly restructured Phu Tho province.

Last April, Phu Tho province led the drafting of the project, in collaboration with Vinh Phuc and Hoa Binh provinces, which was then submitted to the government. From the outset, the project emphasized the critical need for the arrangement of these three provinces to create favorable conditions for resource concentration in terms of land and population, expanding planning space, and complementing each other economically (in industry, agriculture, and services). It also aimed to focus on expanding production, unlocking potential strengths for socio-economic development, improving social security policies, and enhancing investment in development. Additionally, the project aimed to streamline administrative structures, increase the efficiency of local government operations, reduce staff, and save budgetary resources.

Six key reasons for the arrangement and consolidation

The draft project also analyzed in detail the reasons for choosing Phu Tho as the name of the new province and Viet Tri as its administrative center following the merger.

“Phu Tho is the cradle of the Vietnamese people, the birthplace of the nation, tied to the legend of the Hung Kings and the founding of the Van Lang State—the first state in Vietnamese history. With thousands of years of civilization, Phu Tho is a revered cultural and historical center, marking the process of the nation’s formation and development.”

Geographically, Phu Tho is centrally located, connecting three provinces, and boasts modern transport infrastructure that offers convenient connections to the capital region and the northwestern provinces.

The decision to name the new province Phu Tho and establish Viet Tri City as its administrative center was based on both scientific analysis and practical considerations, aligning with regional development goals and fulfilling criteria related to history, geography, politics, socio-economics, and national defense and security.

Geographical and infrastructure advantages: Phu Tho occupies a central location connecting three provinces, with well-developed transport infrastructure that ensures easy connections to the capital and the northwestern provinces. It also serves as a vital transit point between the mountainous and lowland regions.

Development potential: Viet Tri City, classified as a type I urban area and previously the center of Vinh Phu province, has witnessed rapid industrial growth, with a large-scale industrial park and urban, tourism, and service systems in development. It is now recognized as a major growth hub for the northern midland and mountainous region.

Social infrastructure: Phu Tho has a well-developed system of health, education, sports, and cultural facilities that serve the entire region. Its universities, specialized hospitals, and sports-tourism centers lay a solid foundation for the province’s comprehensive development.

Cultural and historical significance: Phu Tho is the ancestral home of the Vietnamese people, with cultural landmarks recognized by UNESCO. This cultural heritage is crucial in fostering a shared sense of identity and unity among the population.

National defense and security: Phu Tho is strategically significant in terms of national defense and security, housing Military Region 2 (Ministry of National Defense) and several central agencies. Its strategic location plays a key role in ensuring security in the northwestern region and the capital area.

Regional development effectiveness: Placing the provincial center in Phu Tho will help expand development space, fully exploit regional infrastructure, reduce pressure on Hanoi, and promote regional connectivity. This aligns with the socio-economic development direction outlined in Resolution No. 11-NQ/TW, dated February 10, 2022, which focuses on socio-economic development and national defense security in the northern midland and mountainous regions through 2030, with a vision toward 2045.

Mr. Trinh The Truyen, a member of the Provincial Party Committee and Director of the Department of Home Affairs of Phu Tho and the standing agency of the Steering Committee for the arrangement and merger of the administrative units of Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, and Hoa Binh, emphasized that the merger is not only an administrative consolidation but also a restructuring of governance models. The goal is to streamline processes, speed up operations, and strengthen decentralization, all while embracing digital transformation and building a digital government. This process aims to create a modern, dynamic provincial administrative unit with the potential to become a new growth pole for the Northern Midlands and Mountains region.

The new Phu Tho province will maximize the advantages and potentials of all three merging provinces—Vinh Phuc’s industrial-service capabilities, Hoa Binh’s tourism-energy-agricultural potential, and Phu Tho’s unique historical-cultural location. This combination will foster a balanced economy, attract investment, and ensure sustainable development.

The new Phu Tho province will consist of 148 communes and wards

After the merger, Phu Tho province will cover a natural area of over 3,610 km2 and serve a population of more than 4 million people. The localities surrounding Phu Tho include Tuyen Quang and Lao Cai provinces to the north, Thai Nguyen province and Hanoi to the east, Son La province to the west, and Ninh Binh and Thanh Hoa provinces to the south.

The merger will ensure that the total number of government officials does not exceed the combined number of officials from the three original provinces. The reduction of staff will be linked to restructuring the workforce, improving the quality and efficiency of public services in line with organizational innovation, with the goal of completing the restructuring process within a five-year framework.

The working headquarters for the Provincial Party Committee, People’s Council, and People’s Committee of the new Phu Tho province will be located in Tan Dan Ward, Viet Tri City. Offices for the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and mass organizations will remain at their current locations. The departments and specialized agencies of the three provinces will be relocated to the existing offices of Phu Tho province.

The results of public consultations with voters from 207 communes, wards, and towns across the province showed that 412,389 out of 413,684 people (98.3%) supported the project. This reflects the widespread agreement on the strategic importance of the merger, which aligns with the central government’s policy on administrative innovation and governance efficiency.

This restructuring process is a clear demonstration of political determination to reshape the national development space in line with digital transformation, international integration, and the needs of modern development.

Viet Ha