Vietnam Lottery Companies' Extravagant Overseas Study Tours Draw Scrutiny

The practice of Vietnamese lottery companies incurring substantial expenses on overseas study tours, seemingly unrelated to their core business, has come under scrutiny from the State Audit Office. Specifically, the lottery companies of Soc Trang and Can Tho provinces reportedly spent over VND 2.6 billion (approximately USD 100,000) in 2024 for delegations to travel abroad for study and experience exchange. The State Audit Office has deemed these trips inappropriate and recommended that the organization of delegations not serving the companies' production and business activities be terminated. Overseas study tours, often framed as opportunities to acquire advanced technology and management expertise, are not uncommon among state-owned enterprises and some local government agencies in Vietnam. However, their effectiveness and cost-efficiency have frequently been questioned. For organizations like lottery businesses, whose primary objectives are social contribution and revenue generation for public welfare, transparency and accountability in fund utilization are paramount. This recommendation from the State Audit Office can be seen as part of the government's intensified oversight, amidst growing calls for the proper execution of public funds. Within Vietnam's one-party system, the audit and supervision functions over the government and state-owned enterprises play a crucial role in preventing corruption and ensuring the efficient allocation of resources. However, their effectiveness hinges on the independence of supervisory bodies and the strict adherence to their recommendations. While Vietnam continues its economic growth, the wasteful or inefficient expenditure of public funds can erode public trust. Particularly, lottery revenues are expected to contribute to public services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure development. Criticism is inevitable when a portion of these funds is diverted to overseas trips that do not directly benefit the business operations.