Lam Dong province eyes growth with new coastline, faces land clearance hurdles

With the acquisition of a 192-kilometer coastline, Vietnam's Lam Dong province is poised to significantly expand its development horizons, capitalizing on its strengths in tourism, energy, and marine economics. Provincial authorities have long identified the coastal economy as a strategic growth area crucial for enhancing competitiveness and fostering sustainable development.

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For many years, resolutions from the Binh Thuan Provincial Party Committee previously and the Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee now have both identified the marine economy as a strategic development space, playing an important role in expanding growth potential, enhancing competitiveness, and creating momentum for sustainable development.

Two primary economic pillars identified for breakthrough potential are tourism, with the Mui Ne National Tourist Area as a focal point, and energy, bolstered by the large-scale investments in the Vinh Tan power center and the Son My energy center. These sectors are expected to contribute significantly to Lam Dong's projected double-digit growth.

However, experts point to two major obstacles impeding this transition from potential to actual growth: land clearance and the disbursement of public investment capital. These issues directly impact project timelines and the province's ability to achieve its ambitious growth targets.

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However, according to many experts, the two biggest bottlenecks currently are land clearance and the disbursement of public investment capital, which are still hindering the transformation of potential into growth drivers.

Land clearance, in particular, presents complex challenges. Tran Nguyen Loc, Chairman of Phan Thiet City People's Committee, highlighted that protracted land use histories across different periods complicate the verification of land origins and current usage. He cited the Ca Ty River embankment project, where 344 land acquisition notices had to be reviewed, canceled, and reissued to ensure compliance with legal requirements and protect residents' rights. Issues related to resettlement, land valuation, and procedural transitions under new land laws further complicate the process.

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Land clearance is always one of the most difficult stages in project implementation because it directly relates to the rights, living places, and livelihoods of the people.

Creating consensus among residents is identified as key to accelerating land clearance. Nguyen Huu Thong, Secretary of the Phu Thuy Ward Party Committee, stated that progress hinges on public agreement, often hindered by discrepancies between residents' expectations and compensation policies or land ownership disputes. Solutions involve not only public outreach but also transparency, consistent dialogue, and ensuring the legitimate rights of the people. Expediting land valuation is also critical, as it is currently a time-consuming bottleneck.

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The solution is not only propaganda and mobilization but also publicizing information, regular dialogue, and ensuring the legitimate rights of the people.