Vietnam PM Orders Leadership Overhaul at ACV to Expedite Airport Project Amidst Legal Woes

Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng has issued a firm directive to finalize leadership appointments at the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), emphasizing the urgent need to address critical issues plaguing major projects, notably the Long Thành International Airport. Tuổi Trẻ reports that the Prime Minister presided over a meeting where significant progress on some project components was acknowledged, but also highlighted severe difficulties, including legal infringements by individuals and organizations that have brought construction to a near standstill. This situation poses a high risk of missing project deadlines, disrupting management, and causing payment delays, personnel shortages, and material procurement issues exacerbated by price volatility. Prime Minister Hưng underscored a zero-tolerance policy for violations, stating there are 'no forbidden zones, no exceptions.' However, he concurrently mandated the swift implementation of solutions to unblock the projects, ensuring that the handling of violations proceeds in parallel with efforts to resolve difficulties, without legitimizing wrongdoing or creating new problems. The Prime Minister acknowledged the proactive efforts of relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Public Security's recent engagement with ACV and contractors to resolve payment disputes. With project execution at approximately 76%, or about 70 trillion Vietnamese dong, the potential for massive waste and damage to investor confidence if the project is further delayed is a grave concern. The completion and commercial operation of the airport by 2026 is deemed a mandatory objective, requiring strict adherence to timelines, quality, and efficiency, with an absolute prohibition on delays, waste, or losses.

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We must immediately resolve the appointment of the chairman of the board of directors and the general director of ACV to strengthen responsibility, efficiency, and effectiveness, remove obstacles, and make payments to contractors immediately.