Conclusion of the inspection on the renovation and replacement of trees in Hanoi.

On the morning of May 19th, Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan Dung, Chief Inspector of Hanoi City, announced the conclusions of the inspection regarding the renovation and replacement of trees on several streets in Hanoi, which has attracted public attention recently.

Shortcomings in the implementation process

In conclusion, it was affirmed that, following the direction of the Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, the inspection was carried out seriously, objectively, and in accordance with procedures and regulations. The inspection focused on a comprehensive review, from the policy to the implementation of the renovation and replacement of trees on several streets in Hanoi, clarifying some issues of concern and frustration to the press and the public.

In conclusion, regarding the policy of renovating and replacing urban street trees in Hanoi, after the Government approved the General Planning for the Construction of the Capital City until 2030, with a vision to 2050; the City directed the research, preparation, and approval of the Project on Planning the System of Greenery, Parks, Flower Gardens, and Lakes in the City until 2030, with a vision to 2050; and the Investment Plan for the Development of the System of Greenery, Parks, Flower Gardens, and Lakes in the City until 2015. The preparation and approval of the Project on renovating and replacing urban trees on both sides of Hanoi's roads in the 2014-2015 period is a concrete step to implement the aforementioned plan.

Greenery surrounds Hoan Kiem Lake and the central area of ​​Hanoi.

Regarding the implementation and organization of the project, the Chief Inspector of Hanoi City stated that during the implementation process, the Department of Construction and other agencies and units basically followed the procedures for granting permits, felling, relocating, and planting replacement and supplementary trees. The felling and relocation of trees, and the volume of firewood and timber recovered after felling, were measured, inspected, stored, managed, and processed for liquidation and auction in accordance with regulations. No losses, waste, negative practices, corruption, or group interests were detected during the implementation process.

However, the implementation and organization still have some limitations and shortcomings, such as:

- The renovation and replacement of urban trees in Hanoi is a serious and sensitive issue, directly impacting not only the landscape and environment but also the emotions and daily lives of the people. However, during implementation, the Department of Construction did not widely solicit input from experts, scientists, and the affected communities. Information and communication efforts before and during the tree renovation and replacement process were inadequate and not thorough enough, thus failing to create a high level of consensus among local residents and the people of Hanoi.

- In the Project Proposal, the titles of some sections are vague and do not clearly state the criteria for evaluation, classification, and clarification: The number of trees expected to be cut down or replaced due to risk of falling, dead trees, rotten trees, trees obstructing visibility and affecting traffic safety and the safety of people's lives and property, out of a total of 2,208 trees; the number of trees expected to be relocated for planting according to the plan; the number of trees expected to be gradually replaced because they are not of the correct urban tree species, prohibited trees, or trees with many insects affecting the environment and urban landscape; the number of trees expected to be newly planted along streets and in median strips… Therefore, when the total figure of 4,500 trees is compiled, it does not specify each aspect of the tree renovation and replacement according to the Plan, causing public concern about the excessive number of trees that will be "cut down". Meanwhile, the information and communication efforts after the project was approved were inadequate and unclear, leading to misunderstandings, resentment, confusion, and anxiety among the press and the public, who believed that the city was carrying out a campaign to cut down 6,708 trees; at the same time, it raised suspicions and concerns about potential losses, waste, negative practices, and corruption...

- The method of determining and estimating the cost of renovating and replacing trees, based on an average of 10 million VND per tree, including felling, relocating, planting replacement and additional trees, the cost of curbing around the base of the trees, and restoring the sidewalk for all 6,708 trees, is not rigorous, unscientific, and not appropriate for the specific implementation for each type of tree and each street. This raises suspicions and concerns about potential losses, waste, negative practices, and corruption...

- Inadequate surveys before granting permits resulted in the issuance of permits for some replacement and supplementary crops that did not meet the necessary conditions for planting.

- The permit application file is missing some photos of the current state of the trees or the minutes lack confirmation from the local People's Committee. This constitutes a failure to fully comply with the requirements for permit application documents as stipulated. The responsibility lies with the Department of Infrastructure, Environment and Underground Works Management of the Department of Construction.

- Some of the replacement trees, although belonging to the category of urban trees, are not the same species as those that were permitted.

- The felling, replacement, and transportation of trees and timber were primarily carried out at night to avoid obstructing or disrupting traffic, ensuring compliance with the City's regulations on the operating hours of large trucks from 9 PM to 6 AM the following day. However, the Department of Construction and the implementing units failed to proactively inform and publicize the work, leading to public misunderstanding that it was done secretly and clandestinely. The Department of Construction and the implementing units are responsible.

- The renovation and replacement of trees along Nguyen Chi Thanh Street has also attracted much attention. According to the Hanoi Urban Tree Renovation and Replacement Project for both sides of roads in the 2014-2015 period, Nguyen Chi Thanh Street was identified as one of the pilot routes for tree renovation and replacement. The aim is to renovate and replace the existing trees with a new type, creating a beautiful street in the long term. In response to the city's initiative, the Hanoi City Police voluntarily mobilized officers and soldiers to contribute, and VPBANK (Vietnam Prosperity Commercial Joint Stock Bank) offered to contribute funds to replant trees on Nguyen Chi Thanh street with golden heartwood trees at the beginning of the Year of the Goat 2015. However, with the desire to renovate and replace the existing trees with a valuable species to create a beautiful street, the replacement and planting of replacement trees was done hastily and simplistically without consulting experts, scientists, and the public. Furthermore, the information and communication work was inadequate, leading to a lack of public consensus and even strong and harsh reactions from the public and the people.

Recommendation for accountability review

The Hanoi Inspectorate has recommended that the Hanoi People's Committee direct a review and adjustment of measures and methods, rectifying inappropriate actions taken in the past regarding the renovation and replacement of trees in the city, ensuring strict adherence to regulations, practicality, and effectiveness; and direct the effective dissemination of information and communication to create social consensus during implementation.

Seriously review the responsibilities of the City People's Committee leaders for their lack of thorough inspection and supervision in directing and implementing the tree renovation and replacement project in the recent past.

Directing the review and disciplinary action in accordance with regulations against units and individuals under the Department of Construction and related units involved in advising, proposing, and organizing the implementation that led to the limitations and shortcomings mentioned in the Conclusion.

Regarding the Department of Construction, a review and disciplinary action should be taken against the collective and individual leaders of the Department of Construction and those directly involved: the Department of Technical Infrastructure, Environment and Underground Works Management, and the Urban Technical Infrastructure Maintenance Board under the Department of Construction, which are the units directly involved in the shortcomings and deficiencies mentioned in the Conclusion.

Urgently review the urban tree renovation and replacement plan, clarifying the evaluation criteria, classification, survey, and accurately determining the number of trees expected to be cut down, relocated, replaced, or newly planted, as well as estimating the costs for each implementation item; reassess the implementation methods and procedures; promptly adjust inappropriate methods and approaches; and rectify shortcomings and inadequacies in the implementation process. A report proposing adjustments to the City People's Committee is required to ensure that urban tree renovation and replacement is carried out in accordance with the plan; timely, complete, and transparent information must be provided; and a mechanism for soliciting input from experts, scientists, and the public is necessary to create social consensus before and during implementation.

Strengthen state management of green spaces in the city in accordance with regulations; research, advise, and propose to the City People's Committee amendments, additions, or replacements of inappropriate regulations on the management, felling, relocation, and planting of green spaces in the city.

Based on the conclusions of the City Inspectorate, and incorporating the opinions of experts, scientists, and the public, the Department of Construction has directed the planting of trees along Nguyen Chi Thanh Street according to the plan, ensuring that the trees thrive and contribute to improving the urban environment and landscape. Any resulting costs will be covered by the sponsoring unit.

The Department of Finance, in coordination with the Department of Construction, needs to organize an inventory of timber and firewood in storage; and promptly auction the timber according to regulations. Review the unit prices of some items related to the renovation and replacement of trees, and report to the City People's Committee for consideration and decision.

The Department of Information and Communications, the districts, and relevant organizations and units should seriously review their responsibilities regarding the shortcomings mentioned in the Conclusion. Measures should be taken to strengthen the management of green spaces according to the assigned responsibilities and in accordance with the law.

Regarding transparency and disclosure of information, we request that the City People's Committee direct the publication of the inspection conclusions on the City's electronic communication portal and online newspapers, meeting the requirements for transparency and public access to information.

According to VNA