Drastic Solution to Land Speculation

The Government asked to clarify the responsibilities of each organisation or individual and the head of land-using organisations involved in violations to be fined according to regulations.

The Ministry now has sent the inspection delegation to a number of provinces, cities and urged ministries, branches and localities to self-inspect, self-treat and report to the Ministry to report to the Prime Minister.

In the coming time, the Ministry will continue strengthening inspection and monitor the observance of the land law in the localities. In the long term, it should continue to improve financial methods, such as taxes and charges, to handle speculation, land holding and land dumping. We will determine strongly to minimize these negatives.

So, why are these problems in this sector still commonplace?
As reported by the Government Inspectorate, land claims account for 60 percent of the total complaints in the country. The content is mainly related to land acquisition, site clearance compensation, resettlement arrangement and competing interests between investors and people.

I think the main reason is because some localities have not done the work of detecting, preventing and quickly addressing land law violations very well. In addition, land policy is constantly changing, and the mechanism for settling complaints and denunciations is still complex, even being a nuisance to people.

There are also causes from the unified provisions on settlement of complaints and denunciations on land; many authorized agencies receive, pass and resolve the application without destination.

Are people correct in supposing that the main cause of the current land issues originate from the quality of staff and give-and-take mechanisms?
In fact, it is a combination of many causes, some of which do originate from the staff. In the next time, we will ask officials of departments and localities to correct their behaviours and activities. The view of the Ministry is that if someone violates the law, he will be strictly treated.

In the next period, the Ministry will focus on building and implementing tasks and specific measures to remove the "give-and-take mechanism". This is a big and strategic problem involving multiple parties and a variety of factors, so it requires the support and consent of the ministries, branches and localities; therefore, it will require some time.

In addition, there will be solutions to create clean land funds of the Government for land use right auctions to raise revenues for state budgets, creating an open and favourable environment to encourage domestic and foreign investors to securely invest in manufacturing and long-term business in Vietnam.

Another solution the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will have to apply is the completion of financial instruments such as taxes and charges. This is the fundamental solution to eliminate land speculation and waste.

As the head of an industry with such sensitive areas, are you confident with your "hot seat"?
The natural resources and environment sector has received particular concerned from society in recent years. Areas such as land and environment are directly related to citizens and businesses, and in fact there have been many complaints reaching Congress forums and receiving special attention from electors; therefore, saying that I sit on the "hot seat" is not wrong.

I am confident of taking the important responsibility as head of a Ministry with many "hot" areas because, in the past time, the natural resources and environment sector has focused on building a synchronized legal framework. In all areas, systems of legal documents have been completed, creating a solid foundation and synchronized legal framework to regulate and manage all activities related to natural resources and environment in society.

Inspection and testing are boosted and have solved many problems arising in the area. Many major and pressing environmental problems have been definitively resolved.

Another reason is that the staff and civil officials, including the leaders of ministries and general departments, departments and other units, are gaining experience.

So, do you pay attention to the people’s claims and feedback?
Land is a sensitive and complex issue related to all citizens and businesses which plays a particularly important role in economic development and social stability. However, current management and land use still has shortcomings, limitations and weaknesses to be solved.

The modification of the Land Law must resolve the shortcomings in current management and land use, and bring into play land resources for national socio-economic development.

We will consider people the "eyes and ears" during the inspection and checking, so state management of land resources and the environment becomes more effective.