Vietnam Begins Demolishing Forest-Reserve Villas and Homestays After Thanh Niên Reports

Kim Anh commune in Hanoi began demolishing villas and homestays built inside a protected forest reserve after Thanh Niên reported on the developments.

More than 70 people, along with heavy machinery, were deployed at 8 a.m. on Sept. 4 to enforce the orders. Three of the cases involved structures featured in Thanh Niên’s series, “Villas and homestays springing up like mushrooms in protected forests.”

The first complex targeted was Solara Đồng Đò, owned by 44-year-old Nguyễn Văn Thắng of Thái Vụ village. An earlier inspection found an area of about 1,000 square meters containing several unauthorized structures, including a three-story house, a swimming pool and a pickleball court.

Kim Anh officials read out the enforcement order, which said Thắng had converted protected forest land into unauthorized non-residential land. The decision required the complex to be demolished and the site returned to its original condition. Before the enforcement began, the owner had already used an excavator to remove some structures, recover materials and move property. Commune authorities brought in machinery to demolish the remaining parts.

Vice Chairman Nguyễn Văn Toàn directly supervised the operation. Kim Anh said the enforcement would restore discipline in land management and help stabilize the local situation. Afterward, the commune plans to hand the site back to officials in Thái Vụ village for regular monitoring and to determine the responsibilities of relevant offices and units from the commune to the village.