A recent inspection by competent authorities showed that multiple public land plots in Ho Chi Minh City have been left unused and wasted for years.

The city’s inspectorate has revealed that 26 pieces of public land, each covering tens of thousands of square meters, have been deserted for a long time.

These land plots, which belong to the state, had been leased to local businesses to carry out their operations, but some of the lessees eventually decided to stop using the land, or even leased them to other subtenants, which is against regulations.

One of such pieces of land is a 24,000 square meter area located on Kinh Duong Vuong Street in Binh Tan District, which Sinco JSC, a subsidiary of Saigon Industrial Corporation, has been authorized to manage and use.

According to H., a local resident, Sinco previously set up a workshop on the land, but eventually relocated the facility many years ago. The land has since been abandoned, which H. said is “a huge waste.”

Situated on the same road, a 9,000 square meter public land plot, managed by the Mekophar Chemical Pharmaceutical JSC, has also been deserted.

The land now only consists of an old and abandoned workshop, overseen by only one security guard.

The wastefulness of these land plots has been brought up during previous meetings between local authorities and residents, Trinh, who lives in the neighborhood, said, adding that no changes have been made.

“These areas could have been used to establish schools and playgrounds for our children,” Trinh remarked.

This piece of public land on Kinh Duong Vuong Street in Binh Tan District has been abandoned for years. Photo. Tuoi Tre

Subleasing

At another land plot on Nguyen Thi Dinh Street in District 2, a factory of An Phu Animal Feed Company has been left unused for years.

A man claiming to be an employee of the firm has been tasked with supervising the old facility as well as dealing with potential customers who want to lease the factory.

The facility is available for lease at VND110,000 (US$4.84) per square meter, under a contract term of at least six months, according to the man.

A similar situation happened at a land plot in Thu Duc District, which is managed by Saigontourist Company.

The 1,600 square meter area has been leased to multiple diners over the past years.

Saigontourist also manages another land parcel in Binh Thanh District.

According local residents, the area was previously home to the headquarters of a Saigontourist subsidiary.

After the travel company was relocated five years ago, many people have been interested in leasing the lot, but no deal has ever been made, they added.

The municipal Department of Natural Resources and Environment is set to conduct a comprehensive examination of public land plots across the city to see whether they are being wasted or used for wrong purposes.

Violations will be reported to the city’s administration, the Ministry of Finance, and the central government before the final decision is made.

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