Vietnam probe finds no evidence of officials hindering land title process after social media clip

Local authorities in La Gi, Vietnam, have concluded their investigation into a social media video that accused public servants of creating obstacles for citizens seeking land titles, known as 'sổ đỏ'. The investigation, ordered by the Lâm Đồng Provincial People's Committee, involved multiple independent reviews by the La Gi Municipal People's Committee.

The inquiry focused on claims made by Mr. Hoàng Bá Trung, who alleged he was asked to provide his father's birth certificate and his mother's birth certificate or marriage certificate to process a land title. However, the investigation found no basis to confirm that any official from the La Gi Public Administration Service Center made such demands.

During the investigation, Mr. Trung could not specify when the alleged incident occurred or identify the official who made the request. A review of records revealed that Mr. Trung had not submitted any land-related administrative procedures, such as gifting, inheritance, or land use right certificate applications, at the Public Administration Service Center between July 1 and July 24. His documented interactions during that period, from July 15 to July 17, involved civil status matters, including obtaining a marriage status certificate and a copy of his birth certificate.

Furthermore, the municipal committee reported that all hồ sơ (application files) were processed faster than the scheduled appointment times. The guidance provided by public servants was thorough, with no signs of harassment or delays. Additionally, records from notary offices showed that Mr. Trung and his mother completed two transactions on July 17: canceling a power of attorney and a land use right gifting contract.