HÀ NỘI — Authorities in central coastal Khánh Hòa Province have called for improvement in land management in Vạn Ninh District, which is planned to become Bắc Vân Phong special administrative economic unit.

In recent months, land fever has gripped the district. There have been increasing transactions as prices jump due to speculation. The talk of the transformation of the district into a special unit has led to a flow of money.

The provincial People’s Committee, however, pointed out that many transactions were illegal and could involve land encroachment and illegal construction.

The province asked Vạn Ninh District People’s Committee to be especially careful when granting land-use right certificates.

The provincial People’s Committee suggested Vân Phong Economic Zone’s Management Board keep close watch on the use of land following approved planning to attract investors.

Võ Hoàn Hải, Vạn Ninh District Party Secretary, was quoted by Diễn Đàn Doanh Nghiệp (Business Forum) online newspaper, as saying that land prices had risen many times in the district because of the speculation. This was coupled with a lack of real information about the proposed unit.

Hải said the district had asked communal authorities to improve land management and communicate with local residents to enhance transparency and prevent speculation.

Meanwhile, land fever has also gripped Phú Quốc Island (southern Kiên Giang Province) and Vân Đồn District (northern Quảng Ninh Province) which are expected to be developed into special administrative economic units similar to Vạn Ninh District.

Local authorities have requested individuals and firms to carefully consider land purchases in these areas as the existing planning might be changed when these localities are developed. — VNS