Stronger decentralisation hoped to stimulate development in HCM City

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Through the pilot scheme, the city also hopes to develop into a leading centre of economy, finance and science-technology in Southeast Asia.

The Committee has been allowed to choose investors for projects upgrading and rebuilding old tenements that are in danger of collapse.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

However, the investors must have the capacity and experience to ensure feasibility, safety and efficiency of the projects. The Committee will take full legal responsibility for their decisions. 

Le Hoang Chau, President of the HCM City Real Estate Association, said up to 474 apartment complexes built before 1975 in the city were run-down, 70 of which are seriously dilapidated or dangerous. 

The buildings are home to 22,210 households who live in downgraded apartments with areas ranging from 10 sq.m-30 sq.m. Since the apartments have no basic facilities on fire protection, they are unsafe for dwellers. 

Chau said the PM’s authorisation for HCM City to appoint contractors for old tenement repairing projects will help speed up the upgrading and rebuilding of the tenements, giving a facelift to urban areas. 

The city has also been authorised to decide a number of sources of revenues, expenditures, fees, and fines on violations of urban order, safety and civil regulations. 

Furthermore, the municipal administration is given permission to establish certain professional agencies under the municipal People’s Committee and decide the number of staff for those agencies. 

Vo Van Hoan, head of the Office of the HCM City People’s Committee, said the decentralisation and authorisation will help the city play a more active role in State management, thereby improving work efficiency across fields.

In implementing Government Resolution No. 21/NQ-CP on the decentralisation of State management between the Government and People’s Committees of centrally-run cities and provinces, HCM City has also asked for more power in the fields of tourism, natural resources and environment management, finance, and education. 

In tourism, the city wants it tourism department to be authorized to rate three-star accommodations which is now under the charge of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism. 

The HCM City People’s Committee explained that the ranking by the administration has, sometimes, failed to meet duration requirements due to the large number of three-five star accommodations across the nation. 

The Committee also requested greater decentralization in the granting of certificates on ownership of property in association with land, certificates of ownership of homes and contruction works. 

At a recent meeting with the Committee, Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung, said decentralisation requires higher responsibilities of heads of agencies and stricter public supervision.