Land Compensation and Policy Enforcement in Vietnam: A Case Study in Danang

Abstract

The land is a natural resource which is rich in diversity, and its value tends to increase over time. Therefore, compensation in cases when the State acquires land, is an issue of concern. Using data from 100 surveyed households and ten interviews (including 5 houesholds indirectly affected by land acquisition, 3 relevant experts, and 2 village headmen) in Da Nang, the article aims to answer two research questions: (1) assessment of landless households on land compensation policy, and (2) an assessment of outstanding issues in this policy in Vietnam. The results show that the local government has strictly followed the regulations and procedures of the State on land acquisition and compensation for economic development purposes under the 2013 Land Law. However, affected people feel dissatisfied with what they had received when they lost land. The first reason is the significant difference between the compensation prices households received and the market price, as determined by a real estate broker. Second, concerns about the future arise when a family’s means of production are acquired by the state. In addition, the policy also lacks support measures for households located in affected areas. These shortcomings lead to dissatisfaction among families.

Factors Influencing the Employment Transition of Rural Employees in Nghi Son Economic Zone, Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam, After Relocation Caused by Land Acquisition

“…Additionally, rural workers' use of compensation money has been found to impact their job transition process. In some cases, rural households may invest their compensation funds in building houses, purchasing equipment, or other immediate needs, rather than considering investing in vocational training or exploring alternative career paths (Ha et al, 2022;Tuan, 2021;Tuan & Hegedűs, 2018;Wang et al, 2019). This may limit their ability to effectively transition to new employment opportunities or acquire the necessary skills for non-agricultural occupations.…”

“…Furthermore, the lack of access to education and training opportunities can perpetuate poverty and inequality in rural While the guidelines, policies, and programs implemented by the state and local authorities have some influence on the job transition of rural workers after land acquisition, personal factors such as education and age have been found to be more influential (Godinho, 2022;Hanson, 2023). It is essential to recognize that while supportive policies and programs can create an enabling environment for job transitions, individual characteristics and circumstances play a vital role in determining outcomes (Ozili, 2020;Tuan & Hegedűs, 2018). Furthermore, it is important to acknowledge that job transitions can be challenging for individuals, particularly those older or with limited work experience.…”

“…In addition to individual factors, the utilization of compensation money by rural workers also affects their job transition process. Research indicates that some households primarily invest their compensation funds in immediate needs such as housing or purchasing equipment, neglecting vocational training or exploring alternative career paths (Chen et al, 2020;Ha et al, 2022;Tuan, 2021;Tuan & Hegedűs, 2018;Wang et al, 2019). This approach can limit their ability to effectively transition to new employment opportunities or acquire the necessary skills for non-agricultural occupations.…”

“…While individual factors play a significant role, it is crucial to acknowledge the broader context in which job transitions occur. Government guidelines, policies, and programs implemented by the state and Thanh Hoa province influence job transitions of rural workers after land acquisition (Nguyen et al, 2017;Nguyen & Kim, 2020;Tuan & Hegedűs, 2018). However, the relative importance of these policies compared to personal developed to facilitate successful job transitions and ensure sustainable livelihoods for rural workers in the context of land acquisition and resettlement.…”

Urbanization and Post-Acquisition Livelihood in a Peri-Urban Context in Vietnam: A Geographical Comparison between Hanoi, Danang, and Vinh City

“…Due to a lack of education, especially in small communities, workers who lose agricultural property frequently struggle to find employment [46]. According to studies, the unemployment rate and level of education are mutually exclusive [47]. The areas in this study that were predominantly agricultural before land acquisition performed the most poorly (Danang and Vinh).…”