Vietnam to propose major changes to land law
HANOI - A draft proposal advocating major changes to Vietnam's land laws was submitted to Prime Minister Phan Van
Khai for approval before going to the National Assembly when it convenes in April, an official said Thursday.
Under the proposal signed Wednesday by Bui Xuan Son, head of the Land Administration Department, more power over land
management will be given to local governments, said a department official on customary condition of anonymity.
The new rules are meant to decentralize government control and help streamline administrative bottlenecks. There is a
groundswell of public discontent over land disputes and local corruption.
Under the proposal, the provincial government would be given decision-making powers over development projects up to five
hectares in cities and up to 50 hectares in rural areas.
The current law requires that any project larger than one hectare needs approval from the prime minister.
The proposal would also allow residents and organizations to use their land-use rights certificates as collateral at all banks. The
government owns all land, and people are only given the right to use it.
Under the current law, the land use rights certificates can only be used as collateral at Vietnamese banks.
Associated Press - January 4, 2001.
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