Children of four officials in the central Vietnamese province of Quang Ngai have been asked to refund a combined VND9.85 billion (US$422,500) to the state budget as they did not return to work in their hometown after receiving financial aid to pay for their overseas education.

The individuals were required to return the money within two years from November 2019.

More than VND1.1 billion ($46,900) has been repaid as of Thursday and has been submitted to the State Treasury, said Doan Dung, director of the provincial Department of Internal Affairs.

Accordingly, Huynh Thi Lan Vien, daughter of Huynh Chanh — director of the Quang Ngai Department of Finance — has refunded VND410 million ($17,400) out of VND2.05 billion ($87,400) she owes.

Nguyen Le Ngoc Ha, daughter of Nguyen Chin — a former official of the provincial Party Committee — has repaid VND120 million ($5,100) out of VND2.4 billion ($102,300).

Pham Thi My Hanh, daughter of Pham Thanh Hai — an ex-official of the provincial Party Committee — has returned VND170 million ($7,520) out of VND3.5 billion ($149,900).

Pham Thanh Viet, son of Pham Tan Hoang — chairman of the People’s Committee in Quang Ngai City, the provincial capital — has paid VND400 million ($17,100) out of VND1.9 billion ($81,400).

The financial aid was part of a scheme established by the provincial administration to sponsor higher education for local residents from 2011 to 2015.

Candidates who were eligible to receive the financial assistance for their overseas study must return to Quang Ngai and work in assigned positions after finishing their education, according to the terms of the aid.

If they fail to do so, they must make a refund that is worth double the amount of financial aid they had received.

A document issued on May 4, 2020 by the Quang Ngai Province Department of Internal Affairs regarding the refund of the financial assistance provided to the children of four provincial officials and ex-officials to sponsor their overseas education. Photo: Tran Mai / Tuoi Tre

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