Land management and usage violations in Ca Mau

Authorities in Ca Mau Province are addressing various land management and usage violations.

In one instance, the Ca Mau Provincial Inspectorate has recommended transferring case files to the Provincial Police Investigation Agency to initiate a criminal probe into the management and leasing of approximately 512 hectares of public land under Project 773. The investigation found that 122 hectares of salt production land were leased to households without public auctions, and authorities failed to properly monitor contracts or remit revenues. These failures resulted in a total loss of more than 3.9 billion VND, comprising over 930 million VND in budget losses and an estimated 3 billion VND in wasted land resources. Officials have called for accountability regarding the responsibilities of the Vinh Trach Dong Commune People's Committee chairpersons between 2006 and 2025.

Separately, Ho An Tap, owner of a villa known on social media as the ‘most beautiful building in Ca Mau’, has begun dismantling approximately 400 square meters of illegal construction in Tan Thanh Ward. The structures, including a 61-square-meter wooden house and 339 square meters of office and security buildings, were built without permission on aquaculture land. Mr. Tap stated he is unable to pay the 8.4 billion VND required to convert the land to residential use. While authorities determined 1,303 square meters must be restored to its original state, local officials have recommended preserving a tomb located within the grounds for moral and religious reasons, suggesting its preservation serves as a form of restitution. The case has faced nearly four years of administrative processing due to conflicting decisions and appeals.