Recently, Báo Người Lao Động received information from concerned citizens about a massive “villa” compound belonging to the wife of a vice-chairman in Bình Phước Province. This compound, spanning tens of thousands of square meters, was reportedly built illegally in Suối Cam and Bưng Trang wards, Tiến Thành ward, Đồng Xoài City, sparking public outrage.
The Illegal “Villa” Compound
On August 19, following these reports, Báo Người Lao Động journalists visited the site and discovered a “villa” compound under construction. Notably, nearly a year after the People’s Committee of Đồng Xoài City issued a decision to punish the owner, only the “water pavilion” structure had been filled in, while the rest of the compound, including two houses and another “water pavilion,” remained intact.
The exterior of the “villa” compound in Tiến Thành ward, Đồng Xoài City, Bình Phước Province
Speaking to Báo Người Lao Động, a leader of the Tiến Thành Ward People’s Committee confirmed that after receiving reports from citizens, the People’s Committee of Đồng Xoài City formed an inspection team in coordination with the ward’s People’s Committee. They discovered that the compound was built on a much larger scale than permitted.
Subsequently, the People’s Committee of Đồng Xoài City issued three decisions to fine Ms. Nguyễn Thị Thanh Bình (42 years old, residing in Tân Phú ward, Đồng Xoài City) a total of VND 38.5 million for administrative violations related to construction order and land use.
Inside the controversial “villa” compound in Bình Phước Province
Specifically, Decision No. 2334/QD-XPVPHC, dated October 20, 2023, fined Ms. Nguyễn Thị Thanh Bình VND 13 million for converting long-term tree-planted land to non-agricultural land in urban areas without authorization. The fine was for constructing a 384-square-meter building on land designated for long-term tree planting.
Decision No. 2336/QD-XPVPHC, also dated October 20, 2023, imposed a fine of VND 8.75 million for constructing a private house in an urban area. The house had a floor area of 323 square meters and violated the permitted construction by exceeding the allowed area by 223 square meters.
The compound remains standing despite the People’s Committee of Đồng Xoài City’s decisions and demands for remedial action nearly a year ago.
Decision No. 2337/QD-XPVPHC, also dated October 20, 2023, imposed a fine of VND 16.75 million for constructing a private house with a floor area of 259.6 square meters, exceeding the permitted construction area by 33.6 square meters, and for building on land designated for long-term tree planting.
Additionally, the People’s Committee of Đồng Xoài City determined that the owner of the “villa” compound had converted long-term tree-planted land to non-agricultural land in urban areas without authorization. They ordered a halt to the construction and instructed the owner to apply for a construction permit adjustment from the competent authority.
In these decisions, the People’s Committee of Đồng Xoài City clearly stated that Ms. Nguyễn Thị Thanh Bình must restore the land to its original state and demolish the violating structures within a specified period.
Land Sale Does Not Alter Punishment Decisions
According to the Tiến Thành Ward People’s Committee, Ms. Bình has paid the fines but has not yet taken remedial action. As a result, the ward issued Notification No. 530/TB-UBND on November 24, 2023, urging the owner to dismantle the violating structures.
However, Ms. Bình argued that she had sold the land (Lot 166, Map 16, Suối Cam ward, Tiến Thành ward) to Mr. Đỗ Ngọc Tám on October 2, 2022, with a handwritten agreement. The official transfer of ownership to Mr. Đỗ Ngọc Tám only took place on June 7, 2023. Therefore, Ms. Bình requested that the decisions be amended to reflect the change in land ownership. Nevertheless, the People’s Committee of Đồng Xoài City maintained that the violating structures were initially permitted under Ms. Bình’s name, and thus, the decisions would not be altered.
“Due to the complex nature of this case, which exceeds our authority, we have reported the entire incident to the People’s Committee of Đồng Xoài City. Our responsibility is to regularly inspect and urge the owner to take remedial action. If the owner fails to dismantle the violating structures, we will advise the People’s Committee of Đồng Xoài City to enforce compulsory measures in accordance with regulations,” affirmed the representative of the Tiến Thành Ward People’s Committee.
According to Báo Người Lao Động‘s investigation, Ms. Nguyễn Thị Thanh Bình, who is subject to the fines imposed by the People’s Committee of Đồng Xoài City for the illegal construction of the “villa” compound, is the wife of Mr. Đ., currently serving as the Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Chơn Thành District, Bình Phước Province.
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