Nghe An: Resettlement area deserted for 10 years.

The resettlement area in Quynh Trang commune (Hoang Mai town) has been abandoned for the past 10 years. Photo: Van Truong

Following the winding pine forest path, we arrived at the resettlement area of ​​Quynh Trang commune.Hoang Mai town)Observations reveal a vast area of ​​abandoned land on the hillside. Some areas are being used by locals for making flower pots, while others are overgrown with weeds and used as grazing land for buffalo and cattle. Many aspects of the resettlement area's infrastructure are dilapidated, such as the damaged and broken drainage system.

The resettlement area in Quynh Trang commune (Hoang Mai town) is covered in lush grass, making it a suitable grazing ground for buffalo and cattle. Photo: Van Truong

Reportedly, the resettlement area in Quynh Trang commune (Hoang Mai town) was built in 2010, covering an area of ​​over 4 hectares in Hamlet 4, Quynh Trang commune, to accommodate 66 households in the Hoang Mai riverside area that is frequently flooded due to the Vuc Mau reservoir releasing water. Currently, 6 billion VND has been invested. Accordingly, each household is allocated 300-400 square meters.²Each household receives land for building houses and is provided with 10-15 million VND in support to relocate to a new place.

Some residents are taking advantage of the situation to produce plastic containers at the resettlement area in Quynh Trang commune (Hoang Mai town). Photo: Van Truong

To understand why people are not moving to the new resettlement area, Mr. Le Cong Ba from Hamlet 5, Quynh Trang Commune (Hoang Mai Town), who is eligible for relocation and resettlement, shared: "The land area in the new place is small, there are no conditions to cultivate a garden to improve income, and we would have to spend money to rebuild the house, so it's very difficult."

"Even though we know it's dangerous when floods come, we still cling to our old home." Currently, Mr. Ba's family has come up with a solution: expanding and raising the foundation of their house. However, in some years during the rainy season, the water still floods up to the windows, forcing the whole family and the village to evacuate.

Some infrastructure in the Quynh Trang resettlement area (Hoang Mai town), such as the drainage canal, has been damaged. Photo: Van Truong

A representative from the People's Committee of Quynh Trang commune added: The commune has repeatedly urged residents to relocate to the new resettlement area, but it seems very difficult. The infrastructure of this resettlement area is still unfinished; currently, it only has internal roads and drainage ditches, but lacks electricity, running water, and a community center… Not to mention, the land area in the resettlement area is small and difficult to cultivate. We are currently proposing to the People's Committee of Quynh Luu district to allow the conversion of land use or auctioning of residential land in this resettlement area to avoid waste.

Mr. Le Cong Ba's house in Hamlet 5, Quynh Trang Commune (Hoang Mai Town) is subject to relocation and resettlement, requiring the old foundation to be raised to avoid flooding. Photo: Van Truong

Mr. Pham Van Hao, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hoang Mai town, added: Regarding the resettlement area in Quynh Trang commune, the People's Committee of Hoang Mai town is currently reviewing and evaluating the effectiveness and limitations of the project. Afterward, they will submit the project to the Provincial People's Committee for consideration.

Not far from there isresettlement areaQuynh Thang commune, Quynh Luu district, is in a similar situation. This project, with a total value of over 10 billion VND and an area of ​​5.6 hectares, was constructed from 2009 and put into use in 2011. The completed components include a concrete road system, drainage ditches, electricity, and a community cultural center.

The resettlement area in Quynh Thang commune, Quynh Luu district, has been abandoned for many years. Photo: Van Truong.

According to the project's objectives, this resettlement area will accommodate 60 households in Quynh Thang commune currently living in the flooded area along the Vuc Mau irrigation reservoir, with each household being allocated 600 m².²land, including 400 m²²Residential land, 200 m²²They were given land for production and received 20 million VND in relocation assistance. However, to this day, this resettlement area remains abandoned.

A relocated household shared: "The land owned by the relocated households is very spacious, ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 square meters."²All the houses were built solidly and were suitable for farming, so we didn't want to move to a new place.

The community cultural center in the resettlement area of ​​Quynh Thang commune, Quynh Luu district, has been unused for many years. Photo: Van Truong

Mr. Le Van Nga, Chairman of the People's Committee of Quynh Thang commune, said: "The commune also recognizes the wastefulness of the land area in the resettlement zone that is lying fallow. During meetings with voters, the People's Committee of the commune has proposed to the People's Committee of Quynh Luu district and other levels and sectors to allow the conversion of land use purposes, such as auctioning the land in this resettlement area or leasing it for commercial service development..."

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dinh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quynh Luu district, added: Currently, Quynh Luu district is submitting a request to higher authorities for approval to change the land use purpose in order to avoid wasting land in the resettlement area.