Vietnam Orders Crackdown on Alleged Favoritism in Land Procedures

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam has issued a directive to local authorities, requesting the rectification of a situation where applications for land-related administrative procedures submitted directly by individuals are repeatedly rejected or take a long time to process, while applications through intermediaries or authorized representatives are processed more quickly. The ministry is urging the People's Committees of provinces and cities to improve the quality of services when citizens and businesses undertake land administrative procedures. This measure is aimed at ensuring fairness and efficiency in administrative services for the public and enterprises. In Vietnam, procedures related to land ownership and usage rights are fundamental to people's lives and economic activities, and their transparency and fairness are essential for social stability and trust. Under its one-party system, Vietnam faces the significant challenge of improving the efficiency and transparency of administrative procedures to support economic growth. In particular, land-related procedures are directly linked to the promotion of real estate development and investment, necessitating prompt and fair processing. However, in the past, the perception that procedures through informal channels or intermediaries proceeded more smoothly had become widespread, contributing to a sense of unfairness. This latest directive reaffirms the principle that all applicants should be treated equally, aiming to put an end to such practices. The background of this issue points to the significant discretion of administrative officials at the local level and the complexity of procedures. In some quarters, there is a view that intermediaries have established informal networks with administrative agencies, receiving fees in return for facilitating procedures. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's current directive may serve as an opportunity to address these practices and further promote the digitalization and standardization of administrative procedures.