Vietnam's village mergers threaten cultural identity amid administrative reforms

Vietnam is currently merging its grassroots administrative units as part of a restructuring process. These units, known as thôn (rural hamlets), làng (villages), and tổ dân phố (urban neighbourhood cells), serve as more than just local governance divisions—they are cultural spaces and keepers of collective memory. The restructuring aims to streamline administration but risks flattening cultural distinctions. A village or hamlet represents a community’s heritage, social structures, and shared history. Losing a village name, for example, can erase part of that identity and weaken ties to the past.

To address this, five long-term solutions have been proposed. These include conducting cultural impact assessments before any merger and preserving traditional names. Genuine community consultation is also emphasised, ensuring residents’ voices shape proposals from the start. Additionally, linking restructuring with the renewal of cultural facilities and digitising village heritages are suggested to safeguard local traditions.

Cultural criteria should become a mandatory requirement in decisions affecting villages. This would prevent the severing of cultural fabric, collective memory, or denial of cultural identity during reorganisation. The process must balance efficiency with the preservation of cultural roots. By formalising cultural assessments and involving communities, the restructuring can maintain the spiritual and historical foundations of Vietnamese society. This ensures that administrative changes do not come at the cost of cultural heritage.