Lam Dong tightens discipline: Preventing incompetence from disrupting public investment momentum

Resolute and Strict Enforcement

Reality shows that wherever contractors lack capacity and work at a snail's pace, projects grind to a halt. During numerous recent meetings and field inspections, leaders of the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee have repeatedly identified this "bottleneck" and emphasized the need to firmly criticize and rectify shortcomings, while demanding that project owners take decisive action to terminate contracts with weak, dilatory contractors who violate construction discipline.

That mandate is being put into practice through strict enforcement measures, with "no forbidden zones." The recent decision by Construction Investment Project Management Board No. 1 to terminate its contract with Truong Thanh No. 1 Construction Co., Ltd.—the contractor for Ba Can Bridge under Package No. 7 (part of the project to replace five weak bridges)—is a notable move in enforcing public investment discipline and order in the province.

The decision stems from violations of construction contract obligations. According to the information disclosed, the contractor abandoned the project, failing to carry out construction work for a prolonged period without a justifiable reason, thereby violating the agreed construction schedule.

Previously, Construction Investment Project Management Board No. 1 decided to terminate contracts with Anh Tuyen Private Enterprise, the contractor for the Phuoc Cat Bridge package under Package No. 7 (part of the project to replace five weak bridges), and Phuong Hoang Mai Co., Ltd., the contractor for Package No. 7 (part of the DT721 upgrade project). The board has also imposed penalties on a number of contractors for failing to meet contractual deadlines.

Most recently, following a field inspection on October 19, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Chairman of the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee Ho Van Muoi strongly criticized the investor consortium, Bao Loc - Lien Khuong Expressway BOT Joint Stock Company, over shortcomings in project direction, management and implementation that had caused delays.

These decisions demonstrate that the handling of violations is no longer limited to reminders and calls for action but now involves concrete measures and clear sanctions. This serves as a necessary deterrent to other contractors.

Action Rather Than Just Commitments

As Lam Dong focuses on achieving its "double-digit" growth target, accelerating public investment disbursement is essential to driving growth. Recently, public investment performance in Lam Dong has improved, but the pressure to meet annual targets in the final months of the year remains intense. This demands that project owners and contractors take concrete action to accelerate progress rather than merely make promises.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Ho Van Muoi pointed out frankly that the progress of projects and construction work in Lam Dong is still not being adequately monitored and supervised. Experience has shown that areas subject to rigorous inspection and supervision tend to achieve better results.

Take site clearance, for instance. Thanks to the determined efforts of the entire political system, sites in many areas have now been handed over to project owners in a timely manner—even in cases where site clearance had been delayed for many years.

The head of the Lam Dong provincial administration pointed out that some officials and agencies still tend to wait for others to act and shift responsibility rather than carry out their tasks. Coordination between project owners, specialized departments, and local authorities remains weak, and commitments have not been matched by concrete action.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Ho Van Muoi called for greater accountability in carrying out each assigned project and task, emphasizing the motto: "Words must be matched with deeds, what is promised must be fulfilled, and tasks must be seen through to completion."

Notably, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested that relevant units carry out two tasks simultaneously: concentrating their efforts on completing the 2026 plan while immediately preparing the necessary arrangements to begin construction on projects as early as the first quarter of 2027, with fund disbursement beginning in January 2027.

This means that shortcomings in the organization of project implementation—ranging from investment preparation and site clearance to contractor selection and management—can no longer be allowed to disrupt project momentum.

For public investment to truly become a growth driver, attention cannot be limited solely to allocated capital or disbursement rates; it must also focus on how projects are actually being implemented.

While weak contractors must be dealt with strictly, shortcomings on the part of project owners and relevant agencies must also be decisively addressed. Incapable contractors cannot be allowed to slow down projects, and above all, a lack of resolve on the part of project owners must not be allowed to disrupt project momentum.