At a conference in HCMC, Mr. Don said that the area of defense land nationwide is 1,060.8 hectares. Of these, 489.03 hectares are under the military’s management including 257.26 hectares in the north and 231.77 hectares in the south; 107.18 hectares are used for civil aviation and 464.29 hectares for both military and civil purposes.
Mr. Don said that unused defense land has been exploited for economic activities since 1975. After many inspections and re-arrangement, military land management and use have gone in order. Land parcels have had landmarks, boundaries and fences, facilitating management and preventing encroachment and dispute.
Localities using defense land for economic activities have got approval by the ministry, abided by the law and local regulations, obtained high efficiency and developed infrastructures meaningful in economics, culture and society. They have also fully conducted financial obligations, provided jobs for workers and contributed to local budgets through operations of businesses.
In addition, they have contributed to defense budget and improved soldiers’ life and army rear policy programs.
Mentioning military land use at Tan Son Nhat Airport, Mr. Don said that the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of Vietnam has agreed to continue implementation of projects which have been approved by the ministry. Still, the implementation must suit plans and abide by the law and local regulations. Businesses exploiting military land must well coordinate with localities to conduct inspections.
The ministry will not sign new land lease contracts or set up joint ventures to exploit military land in Tan Son Nhat Airport area and concentrate on re-planning. That would be the high determination of the Central Military Commission in the upcoming time, said Mr. Don.
Besides Tan Son Nhat, the ministry has instructed subordinate units to review military land use for economic purposes in other areas to remedy problems and violations.
They will also regularly inspect businesses’ legality and law compliance to prevent disputes, complaints and lawsuits.
Relating to the gold course project in Tan Son Nhat airport area, Mr. Don said that the ministry has examined and reviewed the project and reported to the Prime Minister.
If the Prime Minister approves, the ministry will carry out the project. In case, the Government and the Ministry of Transport decide to withdraw the area for construction of a runway, they can do that anytime, said Mr. Don.
At the conference, Mr. Don required the Vietnam People’s Air Force and Air Division 370 to work with the People’s Committee of Tan Binh district, HCMC to clear 50 kiosks and three filling stations in military land at the corner of Truong Chinh and Cong Hoa streets and Truong Chinh and Pham Van Bach streets.
The three stations’ operation should be suspended within 10 days and clearance should be done in a month. After clearance, Air Division 370 should hand over the site to Tan Binh district to plant trees, he required.
