Speaking at a May 11 session of the National Assembly Standing Committee discussing public petitions and complaints, lawmakers said citizens had urged central and local authorities to review and adjust planning schemes to avoid leaving projects suspended for too long.

Deputy National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Khac Dinh has warned that prolonged planning projects in Vietnam are preventing residents from building homes, transferring property ownership or subdividing land for years.

Dinh noted that under Vietnam’s planning law, projects that are not implemented within three to four years should lose validity.

In reality, however, some planning projects have remained unresolved for up to 20 years, leaving residents unable to build houses, buy or transfer land, or divide plots.

He cited the example of Khanh Hoa Province, where residents faced serious difficulties after recent flooding.

According to Dinh, many two-story houses proved inadequate during the floods, but residents were still unable to raise house foundations because of planning restrictions or electricity infrastructure belonging to enterprises.

The deputy chairman said planning reviews were necessary to ensure people’s rights and interests.

“Grassroots authorities must closely understand local conditions and know what residents need and what concerns them,” he said.

“If an issue falls under their authority, they should resolve it. If not, they must report to higher levels and propose solutions.”

Lawmakers also raised concerns over modified electric vehicles and the lack of rest stops along southern expressways.

Hoang Duy Chinh, permanent vice chairman of the National Assembly’s Ethnic Council, urged the government to study the growing problem of illegally modified electric vehicles.

He said many students are given electric vehicles by their parents for commuting to school, but later take them to repair shops to boost speed and performance, creating significant safety risks.

“Many children have caused traffic accidents. Inspections found some vehicles modified with two battery packs, which is extremely dangerous,” Chinh said.

He added that the issue may be less common in central urban districts but remains widespread in remote and mountainous areas.

“We need both technical solutions and stronger management of electric vehicle modification workshops. Otherwise, the risks will become very serious,” he said.

“Cars are moving on the road while students ride past at high speed, often carrying two or three passengers.”

Chinh stressed that state management agencies must ensure vehicles comply with manufacturers’ technical standards in order to protect children’s safety.

Meanwhile, Le Tan Toi, chairman of the National Assembly Committee for National Defense, Security and Foreign Affairs, called on the government to accelerate auctions and investment procedures for rest stops along the Trung Luong – Ca Mau Expressway.

He said public complaints surged during the April 30–May 1 holiday period because travelers had nowhere to stop and rest along the nearly 300-kilometer route from Trung Luong to Ca Mau.

“People traveling from Trung Luong to Ca Mau did not know where to stop for breaks. Some had to pull over temporarily along the roadside, which created an unpleasant image,” Toi said.

He argued that properly developed rest stops could generate revenue through service fees while also improving the country’s image for international tourists.

Rest stops are also important for public security, traffic safety and environmental management, he added, because many vehicles stop along the route both day and night.

Referring to Resolution 68 of the Politburo on promoting private-sector development, Toi said the government only needed to establish mechanisms for land auctions and private investors would be willing to finance the projects.

“If regulations require a rest stop every certain number of kilometers, then they should simply be implemented accordingly,” he said.

“I urge the government to pay attention and move forward under the mechanism for private-sector economic development.”

Tran Thuong