In the context of the ongoing transformation of local government structures in Vietnam, there is a pressing need for provincial authorities to ensure the public disclosure of land information both before and after the merging of communes. This recommendation was emphasized by Patrick Haverman, Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam, during a seminar on March 20, 2025, which addressed the assessment of land use planning and land price disclosure at provincial levels. The seminar was jointly organized by UNDP, Real-Time Analytics (RTA), and the Center for Promoting Education and Empowering Women (CEPEW).
Significant improvements have been made in the public disclosure of land information through electronic information portals operated by provincial and district governments. This follows four rounds of assessments conducted from 2021 to 2024. The assessments aimed to enhance the transparency and accessibility of land information, an essential requirement ahead of potential administrative restructuring.
The study indicated substantial progress in the rate of public access to land information. As of October 6, 2024, 53 out of 63 provinces and centrally-managed cities had made land price lists available on their electronic portals, representing an increase of 41.23% from the findings of the 2021 assessment. Additionally, the data revealed that 70.9% of the 704 district-level People's Committees had disclosed land use plans for the year 2024 via their electronic portals, a 23% increase compared to the earlier assessments. However, it was noted that only 32.06% of land use plans were issued on time, specifically before December 31, 2023.
Furthermore, a total of 452 land use planning documents for the period 2021-2030 were disclosed on the electronic portals of the 704 districts, translating to 64.2% of the total. While this figure continues to reflect an improvement of 15.3% from the second assessment, it showed a slight decrease of 1.2% compared to the third round of evaluation. Concerns were raised regarding persistent issues that could hinder access, such as broken links to public postings on the internet.
Interestingly, Bac Giang province stood out as the only locality where all districts maintained consistent public disclosure of land use plans across the assessments conducted since 2022. This consistency underscores the importance of structured governance and community engagement in managing land resources effectively.
The research team also assessed the response rates to citizen requests for land use information. Letters were dispatched to 63 provincial and 705 district-level People's Committees, requesting information about the land use plans for 2024. By October 31, 2024, the responses indicated that only 49.2% of provincial-level authorities and 33.8% of district-level authorities had replied. The data highlighted a troubling trend: a high proportion of state agencies did not respond to requests for information from citizens. In fact, over 65% of 561 District People’s Council and People’s Committee offices that received requests still failed to provide answers across all assessment rounds.
“This result demonstrates that the rate of state agencies failing to respond to citizen requests for land use information remains alarmingly high, particularly at the district level,” remarked representatives of the research team.
The need for reform in how land information is disclosed and accessed was further stressed during the seminar by Patrick Haverman. He noted, “In the context where there is no district-level government structure and communes are being merged, provincial authorities are still required to publicize land information before, during, and after the merger process. Systematic investment in infrastructure is essential for local governments to timely update and maintain land information, ensuring that residents stay informed about the latest land use plans.”
Furthermore, Hoang Thi Van Anh, a former senior official at the General Department of Land Administration, pointed out that the 2024 Land Law contains specific provisions regarding the public disclosure of land information across provincial, district, and commune authorities. In light of the absence of district administrative units, amendments to the 2024 Land Law should clarify the responsibilities of local governments regarding the dissemination of land information.
Nguyen Thi Kim Thoa, former Director of the Department of Administrative and Criminal Law of the Ministry of Justice, recommended revising constitutional provisions related to local governance. This revision aims not only to align with the emerging two-tier local government system but also to address the overarching framework governing land use and information disclosure.
In summary, the seminar brought to light the ongoing challenges and the urgent need for a comprehensive reevaluation of laws concerning land information access and transparency in Vietnam. As the nation moves towards a streamlined administrative model, effective management of land resources through public disclosure becomes increasingly vital for fostering trust and accountability within the governance framework.
The key takeaway from the discussions emphasizes a collective effort towards enhancing immediate access to land information for citizens. Moving forward, it is crucial to provide the necessary technological tools and platforms to elevate the quality of public service and ensure citizen participation in the governance process. Such initiatives will ultimately strengthen governance in Vietnam and promote equitable land management practices for all.
