Completing land data after merger: Ensuring both quality and progress

The rapid construction and completion of the national land database by June 2025 is considered very necessary in the context of the whole country implementing the merger of provincial and commune-level administrative units according to the National Assembly's Resolution.

Transportation infrastructure in Ha Dong district ( Hanoi ). Illustration photo: Tuan Anh/TTXVN

However, many experts believe that caution is needed to ensure the quality of this data system, avoiding superficiality, lack of updates, and inaccuracy.

The National Assembly has passed a resolution deciding on the reorganization of provincial-level administrative units, reducing the number of provinces and cities nationwide from 63 to 34. This major change in administrative organization will lead to many changes in the national data system, including land data such as boundaries, administrative limits, and area.

According to Dr. Thai Quynh Nhu, an expert at the Vietnam Institute of Real Estate Research (VIRES) and former Director of the Institute of Land Management Research, this is a historic change with far-reaching impacts on natural, cultural, social, and economic data systems. Therefore, the government's request for the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to complete the national land database in June is a correct and appropriate directive given the current situation.

The national land database is a collection of land databases organized for access, exploitation, sharing, management, and updating of information electronically, as stipulated in Article 3 of the 2024 Land Law. Clause 4, Article 166 of the Land Law also clearly states that the databases of ministries, sectors, and localities must be connected and integrated with the national land database to update, share, exploit, and use information effectively, safely, and in accordance with their functions and tasks.

In recent times, the reorganization of the government apparatus and the implementation of Resolution 60-NQ/TW dated April 12, 2025, on the consolidation of administrative units have placed high demands on updating and building land data. Completing the national land database is identified as a crucial foundation for providing comprehensive information on land resources, creating interconnected administrative procedures between levels, and serving citizens and businesses.

Clause 1, Article 165 of the 2024 Land Law stipulates that the national land database includes eight main groups: data on legal documents on land; cadastral records; land survey, assessment, protection, improvement, and restoration; land use planning and plans; land prices; land statistics and inventory; inspection, dispute resolution, complaints, and denunciations; and other related data.

According to a report from the Land Management Department (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), many data components have been built and completed. At the central level, statistical data, land inventory; land use planning and plans; land prices; and land surveys and assessments have been put into operation. Planning and land price data are continuously being updated.

Many localities have implemented interlinking between land registration agencies and tax authorities, facilitating inter-agency management and information provision. These results demonstrate the significant efforts of relevant agencies in mobilizing resources, equipment, and personnel to carry out the task of building a national land database.

However, many experts argue that it's not just about meeting deadlines, but also about ensuring the actual quality of the data: completeness, transparency, accuracy, and the ability to be updated in real time.

Dr. Dang Hung Vo, President of the Vietnam Association of Surveying, Mapping and Remote Sensing, believes that the goal of completing the land database by June is difficult and requires careful consideration of the specific completion level. This is because there is still a lack of a clean and complete land data system.

In Hanoi, the database is still incomplete, while many mountainous provinces face even greater difficulties. Data construction is still done manually, many areas where people have registered have not been fully checked, and in some cases, re-measurements are needed to obtain accurate data, causing expense and slowing down progress... – Mr. Vo commented.

Despite investments, the software and systems are not regularly updated, leading to outdated data and a lack of accurate reflection of reality. Basic techniques are limited, and real-time updates are not guaranteed. Land transaction data still lacks transparency, preventing the development of an accurate system...

According to Mr. Dang Hung Vo, it is necessary to clean up land data and build a system for regular and timely updates. All databases need to be able to update in real time, reflecting actual changes promptly.

Sharing the same view, Mr. Thai Quynh Nhu also stated that the current construction of the land database faces many difficulties, both objective and subjective. Some objective difficulties stem from changes in organizational structure, tasks, infrastructure, and personnel. Meanwhile, subjective difficulties include the large volume of records, equipment that has not been upgraded in a timely manner, and the limited IT skills of some professional staff.

Digital transformation in the land sector plays a crucial role. Digital transformation is a comprehensive change in working methods based on technology. Land is the input for all areas of socio-economic development, so land information needs to be used effectively in all activities. Digital transformation in land management involves deploying services related to land use by organizations and individuals in a synchronized, interconnected, convenient, transparent, and timely manner.

However, building a land database is not just about digitizing records; it needs to aim for a synchronized management system that is up-to-date, interconnected, and transparent. This requires a change in management mindset, business processes, and technical infrastructure to effectively serve citizens, businesses, and management agencies, Mr. Thai Quynh Nhu recommended.

Recently, the Government issued Decree 151/2025/ND-CP regulating the delineation of authority between two levels of local government; decentralization and delegation of power in the field of land; effective from July 1, 2025. It clearly outlines the responsibilities of the Provincial People's Committee. Section 3 on the delineation of responsibilities clearly defines the responsibilities of the provincial and commune levels in the field of land management within the two levels of local government.

Specifically, Article 12 on the responsibilities of the Provincial People's Committee stipulates that the Provincial People's Committee is responsible for the State management of the contents stipulated in the Land Law and the decrees detailing the implementation of the Land Law, such as: organizing the preparation and implementation of resettlement projects; organizing the monitoring and evaluation of land management and use at the commune level; evaluating land management and use within the province; submitting provincial land use plans for approval; and directing the Commune People's Committees to carry out land acquisition related to national defense and security land.

Provincial authorities shall review, process, and publicly disclose investment projects that have not put land into use for 12 consecutive months or are 24 months behind schedule in land use compared to the schedule stated in the investment project; projects that have been extended; and projects that are behind schedule in land use due to force majeure.

According to VNA

Source: https://doanhnghiepvn.vn/kinh-te/hoan-thien-du-lieu-dat-dai-sau-hop-nhat-dam-bao-ca-chat-luong-va-tien-do/20250627094459105