Land registration records have surged dramatically.

Although the procedures remain unchanged, many people in Ba Ria - Vung Tau are rushing to complete their land and house ownership documents due to a sense of urgency.

According to statistics from the Land Registration Office of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, in the first five months of 2025, the entire province received more than 69,000 land registration applications. Notably, May saw a surge with 26,062 applications, an increase of nearly 3,700 applications compared to the same period in 2024.

Continuous explanation

Observations at the one-stop service center in Ba Ria City during the first days of June 2025 showed that dozens of people arrived every day from early morning to wait to complete land-related procedures. Many people held stacks of documents, while others took the opportunity to look up information on their phones, and the staff receiving the applications worked non-stop.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hanh, a resident of Ba Ria City, said that before the news of the province merger, she was worried that the process of land registration and procedures would become complicated, and she might even have to go to the center of Ho Chi Minh City to complete the paperwork, which would be both time-consuming and expensive. Not to mention, if the procedures change or become more complicated, it would be very inconvenient.

According to the Ba Ria City Land Registration Office branch, from January to May 31st, the unit received 7,078 land-related applications, a 10% increase compared to the same period last year. April alone saw the highest number of applications at 1,866, with land use right transfer applications accounting for over 30%.

People wait to complete procedures at the one-stop service center in Ba Ria City, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province.

Not only Ba Ria City, but other localities in the province have also recorded similar situations. Many people - especially the elderly or those living in rural, remote areas - are concerned that the merger of administrative units will change the agency receiving applications, increase geographical distances, while their ability to access information or use technology is limited. Mr. Tran Anh Dung, residing in Xuyen Moc district, shared: "Previously, whenever I had land-related paperwork, I only needed to travel a few kilometers to the district People's Committee to complete the application. If I have to go to Ho Chi Minh City to do it later, it will be very inconvenient, especially for the elderly who depend on their children and grandchildren to take them."

An official receiving applications in Xuyen Moc district said that recently many people have come to inquire about and seek advice on land procedures even though they don't have a real need, but are worried that the application process will be more complicated later. "We have to constantly explain that the procedures haven't changed and the merger doesn't affect the rights or legal status of the people," the official said.

No administrative barriers were encountered.

Given the high volume of applications and public concerns, the Land Registration Office of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province stated that the merger of provinces and cities will change the authority and agencies receiving land applications, but land procedures remain unchanged. Citizens can carry out procedures at alternative agencies such as the Land Registration Office, land registration branches, commune People's Committees, or other agencies.

According to the Land Registration Office of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, after the administrative unit merger, land registration information may need to be adjusted, for example, changes to land parcel information, land user information, etc., but this is not mandatory for all units. Adjustments mainly depend on the needs of land users or when carrying out administrative procedures related to land. Already issued records retain their legal validity and do not need to be redone.

Furthermore, in the context of the National Assembly's ongoing consultation on amending the 2013 Constitution, related regulations such as the Land Law, decrees, and guiding circulars are also being redrafted to align with the new post-merger government model. However, according to the Provincial Land Registration Office, this process will not disrupt the current land administrative procedures.

The Department of Agriculture and Environment of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province has requested its branches to proactively increase staffing during peak hours, shorten internal processing times, and apply information technology to quickly search and update records. As a result, despite the high volume of applications, according to the Provincial Land Registration Office, the rate of timely and early processing across the province remains above 98%. The key is to strengthen communication efforts to ensure that citizens understand the nature of the administrative unit merger and that their rights are not affected. Simultaneously, administrative procedures should continue to be improved towards simplification, transparency, and convenience.

Deputy Chairman of the People's Committee of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, Dang Minh Thong, signed a document requesting departments, agencies, localities, and communes and wards to increase transparency, digitize, automate, and apply artificial intelligence and big data in the implementation of administrative processes and procedures, especially in land, planning, investment, and construction.

Convenient and smooth

Since June 9th, when the new wards of Binh Duong began their trial operation, there have been no reports of people or businesses crowding to complete paperwork. Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan, a resident of Thu Dau Mot City, said that on June 12th, when he went to apply for a house number, he received attentive guidance and his application was processed normally at the old ward office. Furthermore, the staff at the one-stop service center instructed him and other residents that they could submit their applications at either the ward office or the city's Public Administration Center; both locations would forward the applications to the relevant departments after processing.

An official from the Binh Duong Provincial Public Administration Center stated that the locality has now implemented 100% of administrative procedures outside of administrative boundaries. Citizens can go to any public administrative service center in the nearest commune or ward to complete these procedures.

This is also a preparatory step by Binh Duong province so that when it merges with the new Ho Chi Minh City, people will not have to go to Ho Chi Minh City to submit their applications. At the public administrative service centers, equipment, volunteers, and members of the community digital technology team are available to guide and support citizens and businesses in carrying out administrative procedures.

T. Thao

Source: https://nld.com.vn/ho-so-dat-dai-tang-dot-bien-196250616190737102.htm