What violations did the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters project violate and who is responsible?

bộ ngoại giao - Ảnh 1. — The project to build the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters is more than 10 years behind schedule, risking wasting the state budget - Photo: NAM TRAN

The Government Inspectorate (GIG) has transferred information, files and documents showing signs of violating legal regulations on bidding causing serious consequences related to the project to build the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Ministry of Public Security for consideration and handling according to its authority.

The Government Inspectorate has also transferred information, files and documents showing signs of violating regulations on investment in construction works causing serious consequences under Article 224 of the Penal Code related to the project to the Ministry of Public Security for consideration and handling according to its authority.

In addition, the inspection agency also transferred to the Ministry of Public Security for review and handling of information, records and documents showing signs of violations in the management and use of state assets causing loss and waste according to Article 219 of the Penal Code.

Cases with signs of violations causing serious consequences

Regarding the bidding violations, the conclusion clearly stated that the Architectural Design Competition Council arbitrarily changed the minimum score from 70 points to 60 points to include the eliminated consulting unit in the classification. The Korean company only scored 68 points and was selected, while the German company with the highest score of 78.2 points was eliminated. This was concluded to have violated the working regulations of the council.

According to the conclusion, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized bidding and signed contracts for 20 packages with a value of more than VND 4,388 billion, exceeding VND 904 billion compared to the total approved investment of VND 3,484 billion.

The conclusion stated that the Government Inspectorate discovered signs of violations of principles of construction investment cost management, violations of prohibitions in bidding, and contravention of the Prime Minister's instructions. This led to problems arising, delays in the project's progress, and the risk of causing damage to the state budget and capital losses to some contractors who signed contracts with the project.

Regarding the submission, examination and approval of the construction design project cost estimate and phase 1 consulting costs, the inspector concluded that the damage was 139.4 billion VND. After deducting the costs of 96.5 billion VND, the damage amount was 42.9 billion VND.

The Government Inspectorate also discovered violations in signing contracts and hiring foreign consultants, with the total estimated loss to the state budget being VND79.2 billion. Violations in evaluating proposals for some bidding packages were against regulations and in preparing estimates for some bidding packages for appointment. The contract value for equipment was much higher than the post-tax price of imported equipment from 2 to 13 times.

Responsibilities of Ministers and Deputy Ministers of relevant periods

In addition, the inspection agency also concluded that the project's suspension in stages and lasting more than 10 years caused a waste of the State's capital spent on the project, more than 4,000 billion VND. Responsibility for the shortcomings, defects, and violations belongs to the Deputy Minister in charge of the project, the Project Management Board, and related organizations and individuals.

Regarding the risk of waste, the project has been behind schedule for more than 10 years, through four adjustments, the completion time has been extended from 2014 to 2025, but up to now the project has not achieved its set goals and is at risk of waste. Waste due to project delays, construction stops causing costs, waste due to allocated funds not being fully used...

According to the inspector, the responsibility for the project being behind schedule and currently not completed, which risks wasting the state budget in some aspects, belongs to the Minister, Deputy Minister in charge of the project, the person in charge of the Administration and Finance Department and related organizations and individuals.

The conclusion also clearly pointed out the responsibilities of the Minister, Deputy Minister in charge of the project, and leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the time of the violation. There were shortcomings, defects, and violations in organizing the competition to select architectural plans, approving construction design projects, and approving foreign consultants to supervise without legal basis...

The conclusion stated that the leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs involved in the violations pointed out were irresponsible, lax in management, failed to urge inspection and supervision, and did not fully perform their duties and powers, leading to the project being behind schedule and still not completed.

The General Inspectorate of the Government recommends that the Prime Minister direct the Minister of Foreign Affairs to organize a review to handle responsibilities and take strict disciplinary measures against groups and individuals in each period related to the shortcomings and violations mentioned in the conclusion. It recommends that the State Audit audit the preparation of the total investment estimate to serve as a basis for continuing to implement and finalize the project.

The Central Inspection Committee shall transfer the conclusion to the Central Inspection Committee for consideration and handling according to its authority. During the implementation of the conclusion, if any violation of criminal law causing property damage is discovered, the units shall transfer the information to the investigation agency for consideration and handling.

The project to build the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters began construction in August 2009, with the total investment initially approved at nearly VND3,500 billion, then adjusted to more than VND4,000 billion.

The project has a total area of 8 hectares, including three blocks of buildings, initially expected to be constructed in four years and expected to become an area for organizing official ceremonies, major international conferences, international press conferences, receptions, and banquets; working area for leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, offices and functional departments, offices, and institutes of this ministry.

However, the project was delayed for more than 10 years. Construction was completed many years ago but only a small part was used, the rest was left unused.

Since the end of March, the case related to the project to build the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and three other cases have been put under the monitoring and direction of the Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption, Wastefulness, and Negativity.

Your Majesty

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/du-an-tru-so-bo-ngoai-giao-vi-pham-nhung-gi-ai-chiu-trach-nhiem-20251031003524477.htm