In Buon Ma Thuot City, a working delegation of the Standing Committee of the Phu Yen Provincial Party Committee, led by comrade Cao Thi Hoa An, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Council, held a meeting with the Standing Committee of the Dak Lak Provincial Party Committee to discuss matters related to the reorganization and potential merger of provincial-level administrative units. 

Secretary of the Phu Yen Provincial Party Committee Cao Thi Hoa An delivering remarks at the working session

At the meeting, leaders of the two provinces discussed and reached a consensus on several key matters regarding the reorganization and potential merger of Phu Yen and Dak Lak provinces. Previously, Phu Yen PPC Chairman Ta Anh Tuan, had signed a decision to establish an inter-provincial task force to coordinate the drafting of the provincial-level administrative reorganization proposal. The task force is headed by comrade Nguyen Tuan Ha, Member of the Standing Committee of the Dak Lak Provincial Party Committee and Dak Lak PPC Permanent. Comrade Dao My, Phu Yen PPC Vice Chairman, serves as Standing Deputy Head of the task force, along with four other deputy heads representing various departments and agencies from both provinces. The timeline for completing the proposal is set for April 20, with submission to the Government scheduled by April 29.

The two sides provided feedback and reached consensus on several key matters, including the preliminary draft of the proposal for provincial-level administrative reorganization; principles and orientation for reorganizing the political system’s organizational structure and personnel; plans for the rearrangement of headquarters for agencies, organizations, and units; plans for reviewing and allocating official housing; arrangements for working facilities and equipment; and policies and support mechanisms for officials, public servants, and civil servants of Phu Yen Province following the reorganization and merger, etc.

Also at the meeting, the leaders of the two provinces discussed and agreed on an investment plan to upgrade National Road 29, which connects Dak Lak and Phu Yen provinces. National Road 29 is a key transportation route in the Central and Central Highlands regions, stretching approximately 293 kilometers from Vung Ro Port (Phu Yen) to the Dak Rue border gate (Dak Lak). The highway serves as a crucial link between the Central Coast (Phu Yen) and the Central Highlands (Dak Lak), and connects to the Cambodia – Laos - Vietnam Development Triangle Area. Currently, many sections of the highway are narrow and have deteriorated due to aging infrastructure, while traffic volume continues to increase. At the meeting, both provinces agreed to jointly propose the investment for upgrading and expanding the highway along a total length of approximately 147 kilometers, to Grade III standards with four lanes and a roadbed width of about 20.5 meters.

The Standing Committees of the Party Committees of the two provinces also exchanged views on coordination in the preparation and drafting of documents for the Provincial Party Congress for the 2025–2030 term; digital transformation in connection with the provincial reorganization and merger; as well as other related matters.

Addressing at the working session, Secretary of the Phu Yen Provincial Party Committee, comrade Cao Thi Hoa An, raised the issue of naming new agencies and units following the merger. In addition to the criteria set by the central government, the two provinces should also carefully study options that reflect local characteristics and continuity. For certain agencies with specific functions, such as the Sub-Department of Fisheries, it is necessary to consider whether civil servants and public employees should be required to relocate to Dak Lak for work. In terms of office locations, aside from the main headquarters in Dak Lak, it is also necessary to consider establishing auxiliary offices in Phu Yen where appropriate to operational needs.

The Standing Committee of the Dak Lak Provincial Party Committee has proposed solutions regarding transportation, accommodation for civil servants, and housing for Phu Yen officials, civil servants, and public employees after the merger. The Standing Committee of the Phu Yen Provincial Party Committee will collect People's opinions and proceed with the necessary procedures for the project of merging the administrative units at the provincial level.

Concluding the working session, Secretary of the Dak Lak Provincial Party Committee, comrade Nguyen Dinh Trung, assigned the Departments of Home Affairs of the two provinces to complete the merger proposal in accordance with the established timeline. Regarding certain issues raised during the meeting, he requested relevant agencies and units of both provinces to continue their study and completion, and to provide counsel to the Standing Committees of the Provincial Party Committees for further decision-making. With regard to the restructuring of the organizational apparatus and personnel within the political system, the Organization Commissions of the Party Committees of the two provinces were entrusted with carrying out the process in strict accordance with established procedures and principles, and to continue providing advisory input to the Standing Committees of the Provincial Party Committees for decisions.