Vinh Long Province Faces Delays in Resolving Surplus Properties, Raising Waste Concerns

In Vinh Long Province, southern Vietnam, significant delays in processing a large number of surplus properties resulting from administrative reconfigurations are raising concerns about potential asset waste, according to a specialized inspection by the provincial Inspectorate. These properties are not being utilized effectively, posing a risk of financial loss. The inspection report indicates that Vinh Long Province currently manages 6,457 properties. Between March 1, 2025, and April 30, 2026, 1,037 properties were designated for sorting and processing. However, 244 of these lack land use rights certificates or property ownership documents. While the Provincial People's Committee has approved the transfer of 318 properties to agencies in need, the remaining 719 require further processing. Of these, 188 have no approved processing plan, 295 have approved plans but have not completed handover, and 236 have been handed over to management and exploitation units. The Inspectorate noted that the volume of public assets generated by reorganizations is substantial, yet many long-standing issues remain unresolved. Key reasons include the absence of land use rights certificates for many properties, missing or lost legal documents, discrepancies between documented and actual land areas, unclear boundaries, and instances of encroachment or disputes, all contributing to prolonged handover processes. Furthermore, the placement of offices after reorganization continues to be problematic. Out of 124 communes and wards in the province, only 28 operate centrally; the remaining 96 are dispersed due to inadequate office space. Conversely, many surplus offices, if left unmanaged, risk rapid deterioration and potential waste of public assets. The Center for Housing Management and Development manages 232 properties and has received 230, but significant management issues persist. The center identified 89 properties as potentially rentable, while 123 are deemed unexploitable due to severe dilapidation, poor location, or being mere vacant land. Additionally, 40 properties lack complete legal documentation. The Land Development Fund Center has only received 6 out of 52 properties assigned by the Provincial People's Committee. Most remaining properties cannot be handed over due to incomplete legal dossiers, undefined land boundaries, encroachments, or unresolved issues with existing assets. The inspection also revealed issues in public asset management, with some approved-for-use properties remaining vacant due to a lack of exploitation plans or renovation funds. Discrepancies in area, incorrect addresses, and inconsistent data are common, with handovers often based on documentation rather than thorough on-site verification. Moreover, asset theft has occurred at several facilities, including the Ánh Hồng Troupe, former Chợ Lách District Procuracy, former Chợ Lách District Court, former Trà Vinh Province Center for Application and Technology Transfer, and the former Duyên Hải District Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Station. In response to these issues, the Inspectorate has urged relevant agencies to expedite the completion of legal documentation for properties not yet eligible for handover, resolve encroachment and dispute cases, develop exploitation plans for the 89 potentially rentable properties, and propose solutions for the 123 unexploitable ones to prevent public asset waste. Additionally, the Inspectorate recommended clarifying the responsibilities of individuals and collectives involved in cases of asset theft during their management period. It also called upon the Department of Finance, the Department of Agriculture and Environment, and commune-level People's Committees to accelerate the completion of dossiers and propose plans for the effective processing and exploitation of surplus land and housing assets in accordance with the law. Source: Nhan Dan