The two-tier local administration model officially came into operation on July 1, with Vietnam now consisting of 34 provinces and cities, and 3,321 communes and wards.

An overview of the grand prayer ceremony for national peace and prosperity.

Marking this sacred historic moment and celebrating the country's entry into a new era of national advancement, at exactly midnight on July 1, nearly 1,000 monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers from the Vietnam Buddhist University (VBU) in Hanoi solemnly held a grand prayer ceremony for national peace and prosperity.

Most Venerable Thich Thanh Quyet, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)’s Executive Council and Rector of the VBU Hanoi, stated that the restructuring of provincial-level administrative units and the implementation of the two-tier local administration model represent a major revolution in the organisational apparatus - an extraordinary and historic event that is comprehensive and profound, undertaken for the good of the nation and the people.

At 6am on the day, pagodas across the country also simultaneously conduct a ceremonial ringing of bells and drums to pray for national peace, solidarity, and prosperity.

Most Venerable Thich Thanh Quyet affirmed that monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers have always stood alongside State agencies, Party committees, and government authorities, and encouraged the people to implement the Party’s guidelines and the State’s policies.

Buddhism supports the Party and State in uniting the nation and fostering religious harmony, forming a strong and cohesive bloc to together enter a new era of opportunity, success, joy, and fulfillment, he added.

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Official recognition of 99 commune-level administrative units in Bac Ninh province after merger

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Vietnam now has 34 provincial-level administrative units

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Key milestones in administrative and organisational restructuring

On May 25, 2025, the Politburo issued Conclusion No. 157-KL/TW on implementing Party resolutions regarding the restructuring of the organisational apparatus and administrative units. New commune-level units are to come into operation from 1 July, with completion targeted by July 15; provincial-level restructuring is to be finalised by August 15.