Vietnam proposes new land-acquisition rules to accelerate housing and infrastructure projects

Vietnam's parliament is reviewing a set of amendments that would allow land acquisition and building work to begin prior to completing compensation and resettlement for affected households. Under the draft, authorities would no longer wait for approved compensation schemes before using the land, a move intended to clear institutional hurdles and support the nation's ambition for at least 10% annual growth through 2030.

The revisions also emphasize rebuilding lives by prioritising displaced owners for new land in the same area and introducing clearer, data-driven valuation methods. The changes come amid setbacks to projects like a Trump family-backed golf club in the north and a large-scale redevelopment of Hanoi's Red River corridor, which could impact up to 200,000 people. If passed, the law could be enacted by October, reshaping how Vietnam manages land for housing and infrastructure.