Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Nguyen Minh Quang, addressed Vietnam's evolving land use issues, acknowledging that some regulations and coercive tactics are out-of-date and counter-productive.
The slow site clearance is among causes of land waste in many localities
Amid increasing violations involving land use rights and forcible reclamation, focus has turned to the regulations and enforcement of land law in Vietnam.
He pointed out one well-publicised case as a reason for the increased reluctance of local authorities to use coercive tactics to revoke land for large projects. According to a report sent to the National Assembly, this reluctance has increased since the ugly land reclamation incident in Haiphong.
On January 5, 2012, authorities tried to reclaim the land of Doan Van Vuon and his family, but were met with violence. Doan and his relatives, not accepting the decision, put up fences, armed themselves and placed improvised explosives along the perimeter. The incident ended in the injury of seven policemen and soldiers.
The family fled, but were later caught.
According to Nguyen Minh Quang, this incident has had a continuing effect on reclamation, with authorities more reluctant to forcibly reclaim land. The minister stated that current regulation has not kept up with the needs of site clearance for large projects, causing capital shortage, adding that this is a major reason for land waste in many localities.
He did not overlook the responsibility of local authorities, who, he said, often seek quick investment without thoroughly investigating the economic viability projects.
According to the minister, lax management over the pace of project implementation after land is granted for large projects is also to blame.
On the other hand, he hailed some localities such as Long An, Hau giang and HCM City for great efforts in settling land revocation.