According to a directive from the Prime Minister issued on 7/10, ministers and chairpersons of provincial People's Committees must directly oversee and be accountable for the progress and outcomes of arranging and utilizing redundant land and housing. Their performance in this area will be factored into their key performance indicators (KPIs).

Individuals who procrastinate, shirk responsibility, cause difficulties, harass, or seek personal gain during the process of handling redundant land and housing will face severe disciplinary action, including personnel consequences. The Ministry of Finance is tasked with publicly disclosing the progress and results achieved by each ministry, sector, and locality.

This directive comes as 9,662 redundant land and housing properties nationwide still lack a clear resolution plan or remain unused. According to statistics from the Ministry of Finance and the Government Inspectorate, 10 provinces and cities each have over 500 such properties: Gia Lai, Thanh Hoa, Da Nang, Ninh Binh, Phu Tho, Can Tho, Lam Dong, Quang Tri, Quang Ngai, and Hung Yen.

In contrast, six provinces—Lang Son, Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Tuyen Quang, Son La, and Cao Bang—have fewer than 100 unused properties and have been praised by the Prime Minister as "very proactive" localities.

To resolve these outstanding assets, government leaders have directed ministries, sectors, and localities to completely rectify the situation of abandoned, underutilized, or improperly used land and housing within 2026. Properties that have remained unused for more than 12 months, as identified by inspection agencies, must be addressed immediately.

Current state of former offices of Hue City agencies left vacant in prime locations, 3/2026. Photo: Vo Thanh

Localities are prohibited from imposing additional conditions, procedures, or multi-level approval requirements that would delay the handover and utilization of assets. For properties lacking land use rights certificates (so do), missing or lost legal documents, encroached upon, used as housing, or with undefined boundaries, localities must accept them in their actual condition at the time of handover.

Agencies and units currently managing these assets are not required to re-survey or complete documentation before handover. Leaders of provinces and cities must direct their Departments of Finance to coordinate directly with relevant units in each commune, ward, and special zone to resolve obstacles and determine utilization plans.

According to the Central Steering Committee for Anti-Corruption, Wastefulness, and Negativity, as of 17/9, ministries, sectors, and localities had processed and brought into use 11,573 redundant land and housing properties. The remaining properties must be fully addressed by the end of 2026.

Vu Tuan