The Speaker: In Many Places, Only a Change in Party Secretary or Chairman Results in Alterations to Urban Planning

During the group discussion this afternoon (May 10), Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man stated that the Law on Planning, which was issued by the XIV National Assembly, along with the Government’s decrees and circulars providing guidance, has encountered numerous bottlenecks. Therefore, in this amendment, we need to be more cautious in our calculations, integrating, synchronizing, and linking national, provincial, and regional planning.

With the upcoming two-tier local government model, it is essential to establish a clear coordination mechanism between ministries, sectors, and localities in the formulation, appraisal, and implementation of plans. Additionally, there should be a focus on digital transformation and the application of artificial intelligence in planning.

Regarding the scope of the amendment, this planning law revision aims to facilitate the reorganization of the administrative apparatus towards greater decentralization and devolution. The National Assembly will make decisions, and the Government and ministries will devolve powers to local authorities, rather than having a list of projects decided by the National Assembly, requiring localities to work with ministries.

“This amendment to the Planning Law must involve substantial decentralization and devolution. The National Assembly will issue a framework law, the Government will issue guiding decrees, and ministries will issue circulars for local implementation, ensuring synchronization,” Mr. Man said.

The National Assembly Chairman particularly emphasized the importance of transparency and synchronization in planning. “It is necessary to stipulate matters such as public disclosure of planning information, consultation with the people, especially those directly affected by the plan; establishing a monitoring mechanism to ensure that the plan is not arbitrarily adjusted for local interests,” he stressed.

Recalling his experiences during visits to other countries, the National Assembly Chairman mentioned that each province and city had a planning sandbox with a long-term vision that was accessible to the public.

In contrast, in Vietnam, plans are often changed, added, or amended by the incoming secretary or chairman in the next term. As a result, planning lacks transparency and openness due to constant changes.

This issue requires careful consideration and enhanced enforcement and oversight mechanisms. Planning that is transparent and publicly accepted under the supervision of the people will be more feasible and effective, according to Mr. Man.

Concerning the procedure for adjusting national, regional, and provincial planning, Chairman Tran Thanh Man suggested streamlining the process by omitting certain steps, such as seeking approval for planning adjustments and conducting strategic environmental assessments. This would expedite the process.

However, he cautioned that adjustments that significantly alter the scale and content, such as changing land-use goals without strategic environmental assessments, could have adverse effects on the environment and pose risks to sustainable development.

Deputy Nguyen Ngoc Bao (Bac Ninh delegation) assessed that Vietnam’s planning system is highly complex, with three types of plans approved by the National Assembly, 39 types of sectoral plans at the national level, and 63 provincial plans approved by the Prime Minister. These plans have different purposes, criteria, and durations, making it challenging to ensure consistency and linkage.

“With such a planning system, how can we evaluate and ensure the consistency and compatibility of various plans with each other? This seems almost impossible,” Mr. Bao expressed his viewpoint.

Referring to information from the National Assembly’s supreme oversight on the real estate market and social housing, Deputy Bao mentioned that the oversight had pointed out one of the critical issues that needed to be addressed: the planning system and the legal framework for planning.

However, according to the deputy, the current Planning Law has not thoroughly resolved the practical difficulties encountered in the past. In the long run, there is a need for in-depth research and comprehensive reform of the planning regime to facilitate investment and socio-economic development while also fulfilling the requirements of resolutions on development strategies.

It is essential to determine whether planning serves as a rigid tool for state management or an effective instrument for socio-economic development, he added.