On September 4, Nguyen Lan Huong, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hanoi, chaired a consultation meeting on the draft resolution regulating conditions, procedures, permitted structures, and land-use ratios for construction on agricultural land in concentrated farming areas of the capital.

The resolution aims to promote sustainable and ecological agriculture in Hanoi, balancing environmental, economic, and social factors while preserving cultural and historical values of rural life.

It also seeks to prevent natural disasters, develop concentrated farming zones, and improve farmers' incomes by linking production with processing, consumption, and eco-tourism.

The draft consists of five chapters and 13 articles, specifying conditions for construction, types of structures allowed, permitted land-use ratios, and licensing procedures.

Experts noted that the issue has long existed in Hanoi's agriculture but remains unresolved. The main challenge lies in balancing the need for farming infrastructure with strict management of agricultural land.

They said a clear resolution, with defined responsibilities and penalties, could address these problems.

However, the matter is complex. The rules must comply with national laws, align with the Capital Law, and remain simple, transparent, and practical for implementation.

Le Van Hoat, member of the Advisory Council on Democracy and Law, suggested that the draft should include an overview of past farming-related construction and the problems that have arisen.

Commenting on Article 6 regarding plans for developing concentrated farming areas, he raised questions about cases where enterprises or cooperatives operate across two or three communes, asking how approvals should be handled.

Hoat also proposed shortening the licensing timeline and clarifying land-use ratios to avoid delays.

Dao Ngoc Nghiem, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Architecture Association, commented on Article 7, which lists six categories of permitted structures.

He proposed adding educational experience facilities, separate from landscape tourism, citing their mention in the Capital Law and recent education reform resolutions.

Regarding Article 9 on licensing procedures, Nghiem noted that the proposed 45-day timeline is too long and suggested a maximum of 30 days in line with general regulations.

Bui Thi An, Vice Chairwoman of the Advisory Council on Economics, stressed the sensitive nature of agricultural land use.

She called for precise definitions of structures directly serving farming, simplified one-stop licensing procedures, digital applications to save time, and clear accountability mechanisms with strict penalties for violations.

Delegates also proposed supplementing the resolution with references to relevant laws, such as the Land Law and Construction Law, to ensure consistency.

They warned against the risk of "fine and legalize," recommending mandatory restoration or demolition of illegal structures instead of later legitimization, except in cases meeting legal conditions.

Speakers emphasized the need for transparency, simple licensing for households, and clear regulations to avoid complications during implementation.

In conclusion, Chairwoman Nguyen Lan Huong thanked the experts for their input and said the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hanoi would study and refine the suggestions for inclusion in the final review.

She underlined the resolution's importance in carrying out the Capital Law and noted that while the draft aligns with three key provisions of the 2024 Capital Law, further adjustments are needed to ensure practicality and sustainability.

Huong also highlighted the need to apply digital solutions in the process, strengthen coordination among departments, and assign clear supervisory roles to the Fatherland Front in monitoring implementation.