The villas were among 79 illegally constructed facilities on nearly 19 hectares of state-owned land. The constructions by different investors were uncovered in an inspection by local authorities in September last year.

79 illegally constructed facilities on nearly 19 hectares of state-owned land in Phu Quoc.

Following the findings, the Duong To administration imposed a fine of VND7.50 million (USD316) each on the investors of two villas, as well as called on them to voluntarily demolish their villas and restore the original state of the land lots.

As the owners failed to follow the request, the city administration sent vehicles and equipment to pull down the two villas, which covered an area of some 500 square metres each, in November the same year.

Local authorities have also summoned the investors of other villas but none have turned up.

Vice chairman of Kien Giang Provincial People's Committee, Le Quoc Anh, said that they would remove all the facilities that were illegally-built in the area and strictly punish the violators.

"We encourage the investors to denounce all the individuals and organisations which had cheated them into buying public land here," the official said. "After clearing the site, we will transfer the land back to Duong To Commune People's Committee for management."