- Jul 2, 2025
Will Vietnam's regional specialties after the merger disappear?
- Why can't specialties "disappear" due to administrative boundaries?
- What concerns are "haunting" the people?
- How to preserve and develop regional specialties after the merger?
- Who is protecting and developing specialties?
- Methods for developing specialties in the new era
- Unexpected effects from the merger
- Provincial merger is not the "ending" but the "golden beginning" for Vietnamese specialties.
The merger of 63 provinces into 34 administrative units starting July 1, 2025, has many people worried about the future of regional specialties after the merger.
The reality is completely opposite - the geographical DNA, legal protection, and cultural traditions remain intact, and may even be strengthened more powerfully than before.
The merger creates "specialty super-regions" with concentrated resources, expanded markets, and exceptional development opportunities.
But will these changes really turn Vietnamese specialties into a "global phenomenon" as expected? Let's explore with CHUS!
Why can't specialties "disappear" due to administrative boundaries?
Geographical "DNA" cannot be changed
Every specialty has its own unique geographical "fingerprint."
- Ha Giang's Tam Xoan rice is only delicious because of limestone soil mixed with sand, 1,000m altitude, and large temperature differences between day and night.
- Suoi Giang Shan Tuyet tea is only fragrant because of year-round fog cover and red-yellow feralit soil.
- U Minh blue crayfish are only sweet because of brackish water with 15-20% salinity.
When Ha Giang merges with Tuyen Quang to become the new Tuyen Quang province, these geographical factors remain unchanged. Humans can redraw administrative maps, but cannot change the soil and climate that nature has "cultivated" for thousands of years. Regional specialties after the merger still maintain these unique geographical characteristics.
Specialty production areas cannot "relocate" according to administrative boundaries (source: Internet)
"Iron-clad" legal protection
What many people don't know is that famous specialties are protected by "geographical indications" - a powerful form of intellectual property. Phu Quoc fish sauce is registered for protection under the name "Phu Quoc," not "Kien Giang" or "An Giang." Pia cake is protected under the name "Soc Trang," not any other administrative province name.
These geographical indications are protected under Vietnam's Intellectual Property Law and international agreements that Vietnam participates in. Violations of geographical indications will be subject to administrative penalties or criminal prosecution according to legal regulations. This means the names of regional specialties after the merger are "insured" permanently, regardless of administrative changes.
Legal documents protecting specialty names never become outdated (source: Internet)
The art of processing regional specialties after the merger is "carved in the genes" of the people
The method of making thang co has been passed down by the Hmong people in Ha Giang since the 18th century. The secret of marinating horse meat with 13 types of forest leaves, smoking with pine wood for 3 months is not just a recipe but also a cultural ritual. This knowledge exists in collective memory, passed down orally through many generations.
Changing province names cannot erase this intangible cultural heritage. Traditional knowledge about regional specialties after the merger has been recognized by the Vietnamese State as National Intangible Cultural Heritage and is being systematically preserved and developed.
Traditional artisans - the "living treasures" of specialty craft villages (source: Internet)
What concerns are "haunting" the people?
Fear of losing cultural "identity"
For many people, specialties are not just food but also spiritual "identity cards." When hearing "Giao Thuy nem nam," people immediately think of Nam Dinh. When mentioning "Cam Le sesame crackers," everyone knows it's from Da Nang. The merger makes them worry about losing this "business card."
But reality shows that specialty names are always tied to the most specific place names (wards, communes, villages), not province names. Nem nam is still "Giao Thuy," sesame crackers are still "Cam Le," regardless of which province they belong to.
Village and commune names are the true "identity cards" of Vietnamese specialties (source: Internet)
Concerns about specialty "naming"
Some people wonder about how to name specialties after the merger. For example, when Bac Ninh merges with Bac Giang to become the new Bac Ninh province, what will phu the cake be called?
In reality, each protected specialty has a clearly defined "production area." Phu the cake is produced in Dinh Bang village, Dinh Bang commune, Bac Ninh city, and this name will be kept unchanged. This ensures accuracy about origin and product quality.
Geographical indication certificates - the "global passport" of specialties (source: Internet)
Concerns about quality being affected
Some people fear that expanding boundaries will lead to fake and low-quality products impersonating specialties. In reality, specialties protected by geographical indications have very strict regulations about production areas, ingredients, and processing procedures.
The new government has better conditions to monitor quality and fight counterfeits thanks to concentrated resources and streamlined management systems.
Specialty quality monitoring systems are becoming increasingly strict (source: Internet)
How to preserve and develop regional specialties after the merger?
Roadmap completed in 2025
On June 12, 2025, the National Assembly passed the Resolution on organizing provincial-level administrative units. The new local governments officially operated from July 1, 2025. Preparation took place for 6 months before with participation from experts, industry associations, and people.
Especially during preparation, preserving and developing specialties was prioritized. Each new province and city has a detailed "Specialty Map" with specific development plans for each type.
Some typical merger examples
Northern region: The new Phu Tho province (merging Vinh Phuc, Hoa Binh, and Phu Tho) will have Hoa Binh sticky rice cake and Phu Tho honey cake coexisting. The new Bac Ninh province (merging Bac Giang and Bac Ninh) will have both Bac Ninh phu the cake and Luc Ngan Bac Giang lychee.
Central region: The new Da Nang city (merging Quang Nam and Da Nang) will have mi Quang, Hoi An grilled coconut cake, Cam Le sesame crackers, and Da Nang beef sausage in the same administrative unit.
Southern region: The new Ho Chi Minh City (merging with Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau) will have Vung Tau banh khot, Saigon banh mi, and Binh Duong specialties under the same "roof."
New specialty map - from North to South, all have their "stars" (source: Ky Anh Nguyen - @kyanh.photo)
Who is protecting and developing specialties?
Multi-layered legal protection system
Vietnam currently has a specialty protection system including trademarks, geographical indications, and plant variety protection under domestic law. Some specialties have been registered for international protection to expand export markets.
Specialty protection measures
Specialty protection mainly relies on the existing legal system including trademark registration, geographical indications, and product quality regulations. Functional agencies conduct regular inspections and monitoring to ensure quality and fight counterfeits.
Supporting artisans and teaching regional specialty crafts after the merger
The State currently has policies supporting artisans in teaching specialty crafts, including preferential treatment and financial support. Specialty production enterprises are also facilitated to develop through preferential policies.
Artisan support policies - the "extended arm" of cultural preservation (source: Internet)
Methods for developing specialties in the new era
From "craft villages" to "specialty production clusters"
Instead of small, scattered craft villages, new provinces have conditions to plan concentrated specialty production areas with more modern infrastructure, creating conditions for scale development and improving product quality.
Linking value chains from "field to table"
New provinces have conditions to build complete value chains for regional specialties after the merger: from raw material areas, processing, packaging to consumption within the same administrative unit. This helps reduce logistics costs and ensure better quality.
Digitizing the entire process
Each specialty is being "digitized" from recipes, production processes to enjoyment methods. Consumers can use AR apps to "see" how to make pia cake at home, or participate in online classes with real artisans.
Marketing "stories" instead of products
Specialties no longer just sell products but also sell "stories." Each exported box of crab noodle soup comes with a QR code video introducing Hai Phong, the craft village, and the people making the soup. Foreign customers don't just eat the soup but also "consume" Vietnamese culture.
Technology 4.0 "breathes life" into traditional specialties (source: Internet)
Unexpected effects from the merger
"Hybrid" specialties create new flavors
The merger has created unexpected combinations for regional specialties after the merger. Giao Thuy nem nam eaten with Ninh Binh rice crackers creates a new combo loved by diners. Vung Tau banh khot is "upgraded" with Mekong Delta blue crayfish, creating a "premium" version of banh khot.
Market expansion opportunities
The merger creates conditions for specialties to access larger markets within the same administrative unit. Transportation costs and procedures can be simplified when there are no longer inter-provincial boundaries.
Potential for culinary tourism development
Tourists can experience more diverse specialties in the same trip when regions with many different delicacies are merged. This creates favorable conditions for developing inter-regional culinary tourism routes.
Culinary tourism - the "bridge" bringing Vietnamese specialties to the world (source: Internet)
Read more related articles
>> How Will Provincial Mergers in Vietnam Affect Local Specialties?
>> Top 9 Must-Try Vietnam’s Seafood Specialties
Provincial merger is not the "ending" but the "golden beginning" for Vietnamese specialties.
Despite administrative changes, the soul of specialties and cultural values will remain sustainable elements that transcend all geographical boundaries.
Our hometown specialties will still be there, and may even have better conditions to develop. Instead of worrying, perhaps we should see this as an opportunity for local delicacies to become known to more people.
CHUS understands that not just the products, but the stories behind each specialty are what matter most. CHUS is committed to bringing consumers products that not only ensure quality but also preserve the complete identity and cultural essence of each region.
This is how CHUS connects tradition and modernity, so that each meaningful gift from CHUS is not just a product, but also the soul of a community, a culture with strong Vietnamese identity.
FAQs
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Why is it still called “Bánh Pía Sóc Trăng” and not “Bánh Pía An Giang” after the merger?
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Will the quality of local specialties change after the merger?
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How can I tell if a specialty product is real or fake now?
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Will the prices of specialty products change after the merger?
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Why is it still called “Bánh Pía Sóc Trăng” and not “Bánh Pía An Giang” after the merger?
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Will the quality of local specialties change after the merger?
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How can I tell if a specialty product is real or fake now?
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Will the prices of specialty products change after the merger?
