HCM City collected fees of more than VND16.49 trillion (over US$712.5 million) last year for changing land-use purposes, according to the city Registration Office for Land Use Rights.

Speaking at a review meeting of the registration office on January 31, its director, Du Huy Quang, said the city also collected over VND5.38 trillion from leasing lands and nearly VND 6.34 trillion from land -use fees.

People cannot theoretically own land and have to pay fees for “using” land for various purposes like housing, farming and others.

A total of 679,124 applications were processed last year, 5.15 per cent more than the previous year, he said.

Suburban districts such as 9, Hoc Mon, Cu Chi, Binh Chanh, and Thu Duc reported the largest numbers of house and land purchase transactions. Cu Chi topped with 60,000.

According to the office, some of its district offices have been facing difficulties like lack of facilities and storage space and outdated equipment, making it difficult to keep and preserve files and documents.

With rapid urbanisation, they also face major challenges with legal issues related to land and housing and the increasing number of applications, it said.

Speaking at the meeting, Nguyen Toan Thang, director of the city Department

of Natural Resources and Environment, said the office and its branches should enhance administrative reform and co-ordinate with relevant agencies such as the tax department to quickly process applications from individuals and businesses.

He said they should not delay issue of land- and house-use rights certificates to residents while also ensuring compliance with the law and there is no trouble for the public.

They should ensure they have capable staff who can meet the evolving needs, he added. — VNS