Ham Thuan Nam Poised to Become a Ward, Accelerating Urban Development
As the only commune in southeastern Lam Dong to receive in-principle approval to become a ward in 2026, Ham Thuan Nam is pursuing not only its annual socio-economic development goals but also a range of other measures to prepare for the transition.
Accelerating Digital Transformation
In mid-2026, authorities tentatively approved the establishment of a ward in Ham Thuan Nam, taking into account the location, existing conditions, and infrastructure of Ham Thuan Nam Commune. The proposal is currently pending approval from the central authorities.
The formal establishment is anticipated to signify a significant turning point in the area's development. Nonetheless, signs of change are already visible among the commune's civil servants, as Ham Thuan Nam has concentrated on enhancing the quality of its workforce following the administrative merger to ensure they can effectively carry out their duties.
As a result, the execution of Politburo Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, which focuses on breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation, and national digital transformation, has become a primary focus for the Commune Party Committee's Standing Board and the commune's steering committee, which have developed plans and directives to facilitate the implementation.
As reported by the Ham Thuan Nam Commune Party Committee, the political system of the commune has successfully implemented an operational management software and a document management and administration system, yielding significant outcomes.
In the Party sector, all incoming and outgoing documents are managed and circulated online, with the exception of those classified as confidential. Additionally, the usage of specialized digital signatures by both collective and individual leaders has reached 100%.
In the government sector, the software systems at the one-stop public service center have been interconnected and integrated with specialized systems at the commune level that address civil status, land administration, and social security management. The percentage of applications received and processed electronically in line with regulations stands at 100%.
Rapid Urbanization
With all eligible administrative processes now fully accessible as online public services, the online payment system for fees, charges, and other financial obligations is functioning effectively, allowing residents to save both time and travel expenses.
In the last eight months, an additional 756 households in the community have received business registration certificates, amounting to a total registered capital of VND 165 billion. Additionally, 21 households have signed up to resume their operations, with a combined capital of VND 4.1 billion. These advancements have led to a further rise in the proportion of the service sector.
The economic structure of Ham Thuan Nam is advancing quickly in a positive direction, with industries, construction, and services making up 73.55%, even though the commune has almost 10,000 hectares of agricultural land and a well-established dragon fruit production area.
Consequently, the commune's state budget revenue for the first eight months amounted to VND 41.3 billion, which is 69.17% of the annual target. It is estimated that the local budget revenue will reach VND 155.5 billion, or 85.55% of the allocated estimate.
These outcomes arise from the amalgamation of Ham Minh Commune, which had been progressing towards becoming a model new-style rural commune, and Thuan Nam Township, the previous administrative hub of Ham Thuan Nam District. Consequently, Ham Thuan Nam has gained and consolidated numerous factors essential for urban development.
To begin with, Ham Thuan Nam boasts a population exceeding 34,000, with urban inhabitants representing 58.52% and non-agricultural workers constituting 73.55% of the labor force.
Additionally, the commune benefits from the central positioning and infrastructure of the former district. It is situated along key transportation routes, such as an 11-kilometer segment of National Highway 1A, Provincial Road 712 linking to the coast, and the North-South railway. Plans are also in place for the North-South high-speed railway in the future.
In addition to being adjacent to Ham Kiem 1 and Ham Kiem 2 industrial parks, Ham Thuan Nam is also planned to accommodate the Thuan Nam Industrial Park during the 2026–2030 period. These factors are expected to drive rapid urbanization in Ham Thuan Nam, both now and in the years ahead.
After the commune merger and the implementation of the two-tier local government model, the Commune Party Committee has focused on reviewing the civil servant workforce and reallocating positions to better match professional qualifications, thereby improving work efficiency. We have also paid particular attention to officials responsible for receiving citizens.
At the same time, we have addressed a gap in the commune's information technology expertise by receiving an IT civil servant from the province to work at the Commune Party Committee. We have organized three training and professional development courses and updated staff on new knowledge about AI and digital transformation. As a result, in July 2026, the commune ranked ninth out of 124 communes, wards and special administrative zones in administrative reform.
Nguyen Thi Minh Hoang — Secretary of the Ham Thuan Nam Commune Party Committee
This progress is also evident in Decision No. 1078/QD-UBND, dated March 30, 2026, released by the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee, which designated the Thuan Nam Urban Area in Ham Thuan Nam Commune as a Grade III urban area.
A notable aspect of Ham Thuan Nam is its extensive array of cultural, sports, and recreational amenities. Besides state-operated facilities, private developers have established seven mini football fields with artificial turf, three swimming pools, five billiard venues, and four pickleball courts. As a result, 43.39% of the commune’s residents actively engage in physical exercise and sports. Consequently, this sector is anticipated to draw considerable investment in the years ahead.
The commune is also home to a well-known spiritual tourism destination featuring Ta Cu Mountain and Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda, within a planned tourism and resort development area spanning several thousand hectares by a major corporation.
Together, these factors are expected to accelerate Ham Thuan Nam's urbanization in line with the commune Party Congress Resolution for the 2026–2030 period.
By 2030, Ham Thuan Nam Ward aims to ensure that 100% of residential areas are served by essential commercial and service facilities, establish at least one or two concentrated service hubs, and develop ecotourism and agricultural experience tourism models. Through these efforts, Ham Thuan Nam aims to build a more modern and civilized urban area while improving residents' quality of life.