VietNamNet Bridge - Officials and constituents of Da Nang, the largest city in central Vietnam, are worried that many Chinese people are purchasing coastal land in the city.

The Da Nang Department of Justice investigated and found at least over ten cases in which foreigners bought coastal land using the names of Vietnamese.

At the meeting with the Vice Chairman of Da Nang City People's Committee, Phung Tan Viet, voters raised their concerns about many foreigners, particularly Chinese, buying coastal land in Da Nang. 

"The government should consider restricting foreign citizens from buying coastal land to ensure security and defence," said voter Thai Thi Thuy Hang.

Voter Thai Thanh Hung said that some Chinese people had bought coastal land, including land near the Nuoc Man Airport, under the names of Vietnamese. He said this would not be good for defence. Hung suggested the city not award licenses to Chinese to build restaurants and hotels on the coast.

Speaking before hundreds of voters of Lien Chieu District, Vice Chairman Viet insisted that he would not allow the city’s coastal land to become the street of Chinese people. 

He said the city was reviewing all coastal projects involving foreign elements. "If you detect any local resident who collude with foreigners to buy coastal land, you should immediately report to the authorities," he said.

Mr. Nguyen Dieu, Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, said it was hard to prevent foreigners from buying in the name of locals because the buyers are Vietnamese and they fulfil procedures properly. 

"This is very sensitive because it is related to the city’s investment climate," Dieu said, adding that it is necessary to give a warning about Chinese making such purchases so that the relevant bodies would conduct inspections.

This issue was recently discussed at a meeting of the Da Nang Party Committee. It was reported that the problem has occurred for several years in Da Nang, particularly in Ngu Hanh Son District. 

According to Da Nang Chief Inspector Nguyen Ba Son, former Director of the Department of Justice, the Department of Justice previously investigated and found at least over ten cases in which foreigners bought coastal land using the names of Vietnamese.

Da Nang officials said that the city would need the central government’s assistance to deal with this situation.

Tran Cham