A turning point for compensation and resettlement efforts in Dong Nai

Given that many projects are behind schedule because resettlement has not kept pace with the approval of compensation plans, in April 2024, the 11th Provincial Party Executive Committee issued Resolution No. 14-NQ/TU to accelerate compensation, site clearance, and support for resettlement (Resolution No. 14).

Dong Nai Riverside Road project technically opens to traffic in early 2026. Photo: Hoang Loc

During implementation, resettlement work has shown a clear shift toward greater proactiveness and staying one step ahead. This endeavor has helped stabilize people's lives and speed up the progress of socio-economic development projects.

Removing the "bottleneck" of site clearance

In recent years, Dong Nai has entered an era of accelerated infrastructure development, with a series of major projects, including airports, seaports, ring roads, and expressways. Pressure to keep projects on schedule, while land-related regulations have changed, the verification of land origin and land valuation has been prolonged, and past shortcomings in land management have persisted, has created many difficulties for compensation, support, and resettlement efforts.

In response to this reality, Resolution No. 14 was issued to strengthen the Party's leadership; improve the effectiveness and efficiency of state management of land; and ensure openness, transparency, and the maximum rights and benefits of people and businesses. The coordinated involvement of the entire political system, from Party committees and authorities to the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and mass organizations at all levels, has gradually delivered results in both awareness and implementation.

A clear example is the Bien Hoa – Vung Tau Expressway. At one point, the project faced near deadlock as hundreds of households were using land improperly, complicating compensation and resettlement planning. Authorities responded by deploying working groups led by senior officials who conducted direct outreach, visited homes, engaged in dialogue, and addressed concerns at their roots. As a result, many residents agreed to hand over land even before receiving full compensation, helping the project stay on track.

Ho Van Nam, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and the Secretary of the Tran Bien Ward Party Committee, said that site clearance is always the most difficult stage in project implementation. To shorten implementation time, the key factor is to build consensus between the people and the government. To achieve this, the government must ensure openness and transparency at every stage, promptly and thoroughly address people's questions and petitions in compliance with the law, and, at the same time, safeguard the people's lawful rights and interests to the greatest extent.

At the same time, the development of resettlement areas has received due attention. Guided by the principle that the new place of residence must be equal to or better than the old one, resettlement areas are required to receive synchronized investment in technical and social infrastructure to gradually form concentrated residential areas and new urban areas. Many resettlement areas have already proven effective and continue to do so in creating new living spaces for people, such as Loc An - Binh Son, Tam Hiep, Long Duc, Long Phuoc, and Tan Phong, among others.

According to the assessment report of the Provincial People's Committee, in recent times, the implementation of the resolution has fostered unity in leadership and direction and established specific coordination mechanisms, helping accelerate the progress of many key projects. Notably, compensation, support, and resettlement work have become increasingly well-ordered, ensuring openness and transparency while reducing complaints and lawsuits. Attention to housing arrangements and support to help stabilize lives and livelihoods has fostered social consensus, helping to remove the "bottleneck" in site clearance and create momentum for development.

On April 22, 2024, the 11th Provincial Party Executive Committee issued Resolution No. 14-NQ/TU on promoting compensation, site clearance, support, and resettlement in the province. According to the plan, the Provincial Party Committee will soon organize a preliminary review conference to summarize and evaluate implementation results, identify existing problems and lessons learned, and propose next solutions. The Party's leadership role needs to be continuously promoted.

According to Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Ho Van Ha, results and experience from several projects show that wherever Party committees and authorities have acted decisively, land acquisition has been effective and has secured strong public consensus. Conversely, where there has been a lack of determination and close oversight, progress has been slow, and obstacles have emerged. Therefore, the requirement is to continue promoting the Party's leadership role and to strengthen the government's and organizations' responsibilities within the political system.

In addition, it is necessary to step up communication and public outreach while effectively implementing grassroots democracy regulations. Policies and plans for compensation, support, and resettlement must be made public and transparent. Priority should be given to promptly listening to and thoroughly addressing people's requests, thereby reinforcing trust and building social consensus.

Some solutions that the Provincial People's Committee has directed communes, wards, the Provincial Land Fund Development Center, and the Provincial Investment and Construction Project Management Board to focus on implementing in the coming time include improving the effectiveness of communication, strengthening dialogue with residents, continuing to review and refine mechanisms and policies in line with practical conditions, and promptly removing difficulties arising during implementation. At the same time, the apparatus responsible for compensation and site clearance should be streamlined and made more effective, while improving staff quality.

At a recent meeting to hear a report on the disbursement of public investment capital, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Van Ut, stressed that resettlement areas must be built one step ahead and equipped with synchronized infrastructure to ensure that people's living conditions are equal to or better than those in their old homes.

Nguyen Hong Que, Deputy Head of the Land Department, Department of Agriculture and Environment, stated that in the past, the implementation of Resolution No. 14 in the province has achieved positive results. In the near future, this needs to be identified as a continuing task for the entire political system, in which the leadership role of Party committees and the exemplary conduct of cadres and Party members are decisive. As challenges are addressed and interests are harmonized, more efficient site clearance is expected to pave the way for faster project implementation, laying a solid foundation for the province’s long-term, sustainable growth.

By Hoang Loc – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho