Construction of Gia Binh International Airport: Relocation of historical and cultural relics must preserve their original value.

At the 10th session of the 15th National Assembly, the National Assembly discussed in the plenary session the investment policy for the Gia Binh International Airport construction project. While there was strong agreement on the necessity of issuing a resolution approving the investment policy for this project, opinions suggested that the relocation of historical and cultural relics must ensure the preservation of their original historical value, clearly outlining solutions for preserving their original value and plans for promoting the relics after relocation.

During the discussion in the Assembly Hall regarding the investment policy for the Gia Binh International Airport construction project, opinions unanimously agreed on the necessity of investing in Gia Binh International Airport. Opinions suggested that choosing Bac Ninh – a locality adjacent to Hanoi, with a particularly important geographical, economic , and military position – is consistent with the development orientation of a multi-hub airport, as defined in the National Master Plan and the Party Congress documents.

Review to ensure consistency with the planning of Bac Ninh province.

Representative Duong Khac Mai - from the Lam Dong Provincial National Assembly Delegation - emphasized that a 4F-class international airport will open up new development opportunities for the entire region, especially for processing, manufacturing, logistics, trade, and aviation-related supporting industries. This is a project of national strategic importance, with dual functions to meet the requirements of economic development and ensure national defense and security in the context of a regional situation with many unpredictable factors.

Representative Duong Khac Mai - Member of the National Assembly delegation of Lam Dong province, delivered a speech.

Regarding conformity with planning, delegates agreed with the assessment of the Economic and Financial Committee that the project has a clear position within the national planning system; they also suggested further review to ensure consistency with the planning of Bac Ninh province, especially after the merger of Bac Ninh and Bac Giang provinces and some specialized plans. "This is a crucial requirement because the land use scope is very large, especially the land used for two rice crops – a type of land particularly important for national food security," the delegate stated.

Regarding scale and objectives, delegate Duong Khac Mai agreed with the investment direction for a 4F airport according to the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization to be able to serve wide-body, long-haul aircraft, meeting the goal of becoming a transit hub in the northern region. However, the delegate suggested that some technical indicators, especially the 5-star rating or Net Zero indicators, need to be quantified and clarified to suit the financial and technical conditions, avoiding setting overly high targets that could lead to increased total investment costs, prolonged payback periods, and affect the project's feasibility. While the strategic objectives are clear, specific indicators need a roadmap that aligns with the capabilities and conditions of each stage.

Impact assessment arrive People's lives in relation to all land acquisition projects.

Supporting the investment plan for Gia Binh Airport in Bac Ninh, National Assembly delegate Nguyen Hoang Bao Tran from Ho Chi Minh City wishes to clarify the significant and entirely legitimate concerns of voters, especially regarding the impact on the future livelihoods of 7,100 affected households, including 5,800 households requiring resettlement.

Representative Nguyen Hoang Bao Tran - Ho Chi Minh City National Assembly Delegation, delivered a speech.

"These are not just inanimate figures; they represent the ancestral home of many generations of people in Gia Binh and the surrounding areas. Therefore, the highest level of consensus is needed, and we need to fully understand the impacts that the project will bring, not only to the Gia Binh project itself, but also as an important lesson for all land acquisition, relocation, and resettlement projects nationwide , " Representative Nguyen Hoang Bao Tran stated.

Delegates argued that we cannot focus solely on the speed of construction while neglecting the lives of those who are giving up their land for development. Development is necessary, but it must be linked to social security and stability. Social security must be linked to the responsibility of the State and investors.

Representative Nguyen Van Canh - Gia Lai Provincial Delegation of the National Assembly, delivered a speech.

Emphasizing key solution groups, delegate Nguyen Hoang Bao Tran proposed that the National Assembly mandate an assessment of the impact on people's lives, similar to environmental assessments. This assessment must be independent, transparent, and not included in the economic-technical report; the assessment results must be used to design long-term livelihood policies, not just for one-time compensation.

"Besides compensation, investors must be responsible for supporting the lives of the local people. This is a point I want to emphasize particularly. Since the project benefits from the land and the advantages of infrastructure development, investors cannot simply 'pay up and then be done with their responsibilities.' Investors are required to contribute capital to the Project Area Livelihood Development Fund. This fund supports vocational training, job creation, and assistance for vulnerable groups." Representative Nguyen Hoang Bao Tran emphasized.

Furthermore, according to delegate Nguyen Hoang Bao Tran, it is necessary to build a mechanism to hold investors accountable. Specifically, it is necessary to monitor and evaluate the lives of people annually for 10-20 years after resettlement. Only by doing so can we ensure that no one is left behind, that people feel secure in cooperating with the State, and that development projects truly bring long-term prosperity.

The relocation of historical and cultural relics must preserve their original value.

Regarding the relocation of historical and cultural relics as stipulated in Article 2 of the draft Resolution, Representative Tran Van Tien - from the Phu Tho Provincial National Assembly Delegation - noted that the Resolution grants the Bac Ninh Provincial People's Committee the authority to relocate historical and cultural relics. The Government has explained that the relocation of these relics does not affect their original constituent values, and therefore they will continue to be recognized as historical and cultural relics after relocation.

Representative Tran Van Tien - Member of the National Assembly delegation of Phu Tho province, delivered a speech.

However, points a, b, and c of Clause 1, Article 22 of the 2024 Law on Cultural Heritage stipulate that historical relics must be: Construction works and sites must be associated with typical historical and cultural events of the nation or locality in the process of nation-building and national defense, or associated with the life and career of national heroes, famous people, historical figures, or associated with the history of industrial, urban, and rural development, having a positive influence on the development of the nation or locality.

"Therefore, for historical relics, the key is that the construction site must be linked to a historical event. Now, if it is moved to a new location, the new location does not fall under any of the provisions in points a, b, and c, Clause 1, Article 22 of the Law on Cultural Heritage. If it continues to be recognized as a historical relic, will its historical significance still be preserved? " The delegates expressed their concerns.

Therefore, delegate Tran Van Tien suggested that research be conducted to ensure that the relocation of historical relics still preserves their inherent historical value.

Representative Nguyen Tam Hung - Member of the National Assembly delegation of Ho Chi Minh City, delivered a speech.

Also related to this issue, Representative Nguyen Tam Hung - from the Ho Chi Minh City National Assembly Delegation - agreed with the special mechanism to ensure the project's progress. However, to balance development and preservation, the representative suggested that the drafting committee consider adding criteria for publicly disclosing the scientific records of each relic before and after relocation; clearly stating the solutions for preserving the original value and the plan for promoting the relic after relocation.

"This approach will ensure a balance of cultural development interests, avoid public concerns, and create greater social consensus during the project's implementation . " The delegate emphasized this point.

Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh explains and clarifies the opinions raised by National Assembly deputies.

In his explanation to the National Assembly regarding the relocation of historical and cultural relics and compensation for residents, Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh stated that specialized agencies and the air traffic control sector had calculated and assessed this project as feasible, safe, and effective. Previously, Vietnam has implemented many projects, such as Long Thanh Airport, which also required relocation, compensation for residents, and land clearance support.

"Besides compensation costs, we have support costs to help people implement their plans when moving to the new resettlement area, such as employment, benefits, and policies... Based on legal documents, the local government implements this content. Therefore, out of more than 900 hectares of rice paddies in Bac Ninh, approximately 700 hectares have now been compensated and cleared . " The Minister of Construction stated clearly.

Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh explains and clarifies the opinions raised by National Assembly deputies.

Regarding the relocation of historical relics, Minister Tran Hong Minh clarified that we have planned for the relocation of these relics in accordance with the Law on Cultural Heritage. Currently, local authorities are also implementing this process.

"In the Law on Cultural Heritage, although we try to preserve the current state of the relics, they can only exist for a certain period of time. For example, under the impact of climate change and natural disasters, these structures can still collapse. One way or another, we need to preserve the form of the relics while relocating them to a location that fulfills the wishes of the people and allows for better restoration of the relics . " The Minister of Construction stated.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/xay-dung-cang-hang-khong-quoc-te-gia-binh-viec-di-doi-cac-di-tich-lich-su-van-hoa-phai-bao-ton-gia-tri-nguyen-goc-20251210091526571.htm