Residents complete land-related administrative procedures at the Public Administrative Service Centre in Yên Mỹ Commune, Hưng Yên Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Mạnh Khánh

HƯNG YÊN — For the first time, commune-level officials in the northern province of Hưng Yên are issuing land-use right certificates directly to residents, marking a major breakthrough in local governance. The province’s new two-tier system has simplified complex land procedures, earning praise from the public for speed and efficiency.

In Yên Mỹ Commune’s Public Administrative Service Centre, land and natural resources matters account for nearly a sixth of all visitor requests. This demand is driven by the commune’s proximity to Hà Nội, high land values, and many residents involved in small industries and SMEs seeking bank loans secured by land certificates.

Until recently, land-use right certificates were issued only at district level, which could cause long delays and difficulties for residents. Yên Mỹ officials, now empowered under the new two-tier administration model, took on this complex task for the first time, with no prior experience in printing official land documents.

Head of Yên Mỹ’s Economic Department Nguyễn Phan Phú said: “Printing land-use right certificates was something we had never done before. To address this, we asked the Yên Mỹ District Land Registration Office under the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment to train us step by step, from accessing the printing software, to inserting the certificate templates, to performing multiple test prints. Every detail was carefully guided.”

To maximise efficiency, only one staff member underwent training but recorded the entire process to share with colleagues. This practical approach helped Yên Mỹ Commune successfully issue its first land-use right certificates, marking a milestone in decentralisation.

Residents have welcomed the change. Vân Anh, who applied on August 5, received her certificate ahead of schedule on August 13.

“I didn’t expect commune-level staff to work so quickly. I’m very satisfied with the service at the administrative centre and the professionalism of Yên Mỹ’s departments,” she said.

Nguyễn Mạnh Khởi, 79, who had faced repeated delays since 2023, also praised the new system.

“This model is a big benefit for people. We no longer have to run back and forth between the commune and the district like before. When submitting documents, I received detailed consultations. When collecting results, I was given an appointment time. It’s very efficient,” he said.

Vice Chairman of Triệu Việt Vương Commune People’s Committee Lê Khánh Duy explained that communes quickly trained relevant departments after receiving the official procedures.

“Given the high demand for land-use certificates, we plan to strengthen coordination between the ‘one-door service,’ the justice and economic units and village representatives. For complex cases, we will consult leadership promptly to resolve issues,” he said.

Initial data reveal that 12 communes across Hưng Yên Province have issued hundreds of land-use right certificates since the new two-tier administration system took effect on July 1.

Secretary of the Hưng Yên Provincial Party Committee Nguyễn Hữu Nghĩa confirmed that specialists from various departments will be deployed to support commune administrations further. The province will also publish a professional handbook covering essential fields to standardise procedures.

Alongside printed materials, online and in-person training courses will be organised to build expertise and ensure smooth implementation across all communes.

The success in Hưng Yên reflects a broader national effort to decentralise administrative services and bring government closer to the people, streamlining access to vital documents and reducing bureaucratic hurdles. — VNS