Politburo approves plan to establish Quảng Ninh City under central government

The Politburo has issued a conclusion approving a proposal to establish Quảng Ninh City as a centrally administered city, using the administrative boundaries of Quảng Ninh Province. The decision follows a review of a proposal submitted by the Quảng Ninh Provincial Party Committee on January 30, 2026, requesting approval to establish Quảng Ninh City under the central government.

Development direction and restructuring of growth space

The Politburo approved the plan with a focus on developing Quảng Ninh into a green, civilized, modern city with a strong identity. It calls for restructuring growth space to integrate urban areas, the sea, islands, borders, and heritage into a complete ecosystem—shifting from dispersed spatial organization to an integrated, multi-centered, open, and connected model.

The conclusion also emphasizes expanding growth space to achieve breakthroughs driven by science, technology, and digital transformation, alongside coordinated development across multiple economic and cultural areas, including a green economy, heritage economy, marine economy, border economy, night economy, and cultural industries.

Infrastructure priorities and governance requirements

The Politburo requested accelerating the development of road and rail infrastructure, airports, seaports, and smart urban infrastructure, with the aim of linking major urban centers. It also called for ensuring balanced development among communes and wards, protecting the environment, and preserving cultural identity.

In addition, the Politburo urged institutional reform and improved governance, including building an administration that is creative in development and operates with integrity, discipline, and order, while raising living standards for residents.

Next steps and timeline

The Politburo assigned the Party committees of the National Assembly and Government to lead and direct relevant agencies to coordinate with Quảng Ninh to complete dossiers and procedures as required. The agencies are to report to the Party Central Committee and submit the matter to the National Assembly for consideration and decision within 2026.

Earlier, the Quảng Ninh Provincial People’s Committee issued a plan to solicit public opinion and present it to the province’s People’s Council for comments on establishing Quảng Ninh City based on the province’s administrative boundaries. The public consultation is expected to be conducted by distributing ballots to households in 54 communes, wards, and special zones, with completion targeted for April and May 2026.

Context: centrally administered cities in Vietnam

Vietnam currently has six centrally administered cities: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Hue, Da Nang, and Can Tho. At the end of March 2026, the Party Central Committee approved the plan to make Đồng Nai a centrally administered city.