~ Le Viêt Nam, aujourd'hui. ~
The Vietnam News

[Year 1997]
[Year 1998]
[Year 1999]
[Year 2000]
[Year 2001]

Campaign against corruption falters

HANOI - The campaign to cleanse the administration of abuses of power is faltering, with police reporting a surge in misappropriation of state property and a fall in the number of corruption cases coming before the courts. Details of a police investigation published in the state media revealed that 650 cases of stealing state property, altogether worth more than US$47 million (HK$366 million), had been uncovered to the end of May, up from US$1 million last year.

White-collar crime in state companies and government departments was on the rise, with more than 14,200 cases of smuggling, trading in illegal goods and tax avoidance last year. "Economic-related crimes are very complex . . . corruption is happening in almost all areas and industries . . . [and is also] often found in state budget contributions to state-invested projects," the report said. It is unclear whether the figure to the end of May was the result of more vigilant policing. But only 79 of last year's recorded violations were brought before the courts. The investigation's conclusions will come as no surprise to many Vietnamese, who complain of being forced to pay bribes and fraudulent fees to a range of government officials, police and even teachers.

"Vietnam is rapidly turning back into a feudal country," a Hanoi University academic said. "Vietnamese people often have clan-like relationships and patronage is re-emerging, which means the law is selectively applied while violations are often overlooked," he said. The investigation reportedly found a high level of fraud in private companies. Despite nearly 15 years of market reforms, that sector accounts for only 17 per cent of gross domestic product. It is impossible to do business without "playing the game", one foreign businessman said. "State-owned enterprises are the worst offenders. It's routine for managers to demand kickbacks. If you don't pay, you don't do business," he said.

By Huw Watkin - South China Morning Post - June 8, 2000.