As part of the 2026 plan to reorganise hamlets, subzones and residential areas (collectively referred to as villages) across Son La province, the total number of villages was reduced from 2,233 to 1,394, a decrease of 839 units or 37%. Based on surveys, reviews, on-site assessments and proposals from communal-level People's Committees, the council's supporting team recommended that the council recognise 1,287 ethnic minority-inhabited villages, 1,391 mountainous villages, 1,394 villages located in both ethnic minority and mountainous areas, and 792 especially disadvantaged ones.

Members of the appraisal council examined, discussed and compared the review results submitted by localities against the prescribed criteria before providing their assessments. They also requested the standing agency to further verify the dossiers and data, and to re-examine several villages and hamlets formed after the reorganisation that have yet to fully satisfy the stipulated criteria, ensuring that the identification process is accurate, transparent and consistent before submission to the competent authorities for consideration.

Concluding the meeting, Hau instructed the provincial Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs to take the lead, and work with relevant departments, agencies and localities in fully incorporating the comments raised at the meeting and continuing to review and finalise the dossiers to ensure compliance with legal regulations and alignment with local conditions.

He urged the department to promptly complete the documentation for submission to the competent authorities, advise the Chairman of the provincial People's Committee on issuing a decision recognising the results of the identification of those villages in accordance with regulations, and finalise related procedures for early reporting to the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs./.