Vietnam's Urban Administration: Central Direct-Under Municipalities as Key Hubs

Vietnam's administrative classification of 'cities' is finely divided according to their roles and authorities. Currently, there are five 'central direct-under municipalities' across Vietnam. These hold an administrative level equivalent to provinces and serve as centers for the nation's politics, economy, and culture. The municipalities designated as central direct-under are the capital Hanoi, the economic hub Ho Chi Minh City, the port city Hai Phong, the ancient capital Da Nang, and Can Tho, a key city in the Mekong Delta region. Each of these cities forms its own economic zone and acts as a hub attracting domestic and international investment. Under Vietnam's single-party system, central direct-under municipalities play an extremely important role in the implementation of central government policies. These cities function not only as engines of economic growth but also in the development of social infrastructure and as gateways for international exchange. In particular, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are the two major cities driving Vietnam's economic growth, and their development has been remarkable. In recent years, Vietnam has achieved rapid economic growth, and urbanization is also progressing. While not only central direct-under municipalities but also provincial cities and other urban areas are continuing to develop, the importance of central direct-under municipalities remains undeniable. Understanding the administrative divisions and functions of these cities is an indispensable element for comprehending Vietnam's regional development strategies and the central government's governance structure.