Hung Yen minimizes inspections and informal costs for a better business environment

A more focused and targeted inspection plan

At the heart of this strategy is the commitment to minimizing overlapped inspections and audits that may disrupt business operations or create unnecessary burdens for enterprises. At the same time, the province is strengthening oversight of public administration to eliminate informal costs and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of investors.

These proactive efforts underscore Hung Yen's commitment to building a transparent, accountable and business-friendly public administration, positioning the province as a safe and attractive investment destination in a new era.

According to Mr Vu Quoc Nghi, Chief Inspector of Hung Yen Province, the provincial inspection plan has been designed and implemented with clear priorities, focusing on state management in areas that are more vulnerable to misconduct and legal violations, as well as ad hoc inspections directed by the Provincial People's Committee in sectors such as land administration, natural resources, environmental management, investment and public finance.

Inspection activities have helped address shortcomings and loopholes in governance, management and policymaking while detecting legal violations and recommending strict enforcement measures in accordance with the law. These efforts have also contributed significantly to preventing corruption, wastefulness and misconduct.

Mr Nghi noted that the Hung Yen Provincial Inspectorate has worked closely with provincial departments and agencies in implementing inspection plans approved by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee. This coordination has effectively prevented overlapping inspections, ensuring that each enterprise is subject to no more than one inspection per year.

The Provincial Inspectorate also proactively issued Official Letter No. 158/TTT-P1 dated February 10, 2026, providing guidance to relevant authorities on reviewing inspection plans to avoid duplication.

Further improving the "Informal charges" Index

Hung Yen has introduced a comprehensive Project on Promoting Investment Attraction and Enhancing the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) for the 2021–2025 period, with a vision to 2030, together with directives aimed at improving the responsibility, professionalism and service quality of public officials in performing their duties, alongside other action plans to enhance the province's investment and business environment.

Implementation results show that Hung Yen's investment climate has improved substantially. In 2025, the province scored 8.09 points in the PCI Informal Charges Index, ranking third nationwide.

This achievement reflects the province's determination to build a clean and transparent business environment where fair competition is upheld and unnecessary barriers are gradually eliminated. Businesses investing in Hung Yen no longer need to worry about unofficial payments that could hinder investment decisions. This has become one of the province's core competitive advantages in attracting major corporations and strategic investors, both domestic and international.

Mr. Vu Quoc Nghi said that the Provincial Inspectorate has adopted numerous measures to improve the province's performance in the PCI Informal Charges Index through inspection, anti-corruption efforts and greater transparency, including the following:

Establishing multiple communication channels to receive feedback from citizens, businesses and economic organizations regarding violations of law, harassment or administrative misconduct, thereby enabling timely recommendations for appropriate handling in accordance with regulations. These measures aim to foster a fair, transparent and stable investment environment, reduce compliance costs and create new momentum for economic development.

Strictly handling violations uncovered through inspections while recommending improvements to policies and management mechanisms in sensitive areas such as land administration, investment, construction and public finance. These efforts help create a healthier business environment, attract investment, promote enterprise development, expand production and business activities, and support long-term socio-economic growth. They also contribute to improving the overall quality of the business environment and strengthening Hung Yen's position in the national PCI rankings.

Participating in business dialogues organized by the Provincial People's Committee to listen to enterprises' concerns, difficulties and recommendations, and to identify practical solutions. Businesses are also encouraged to submit feedback and recommendations during meetings announcing inspection decisions and publicly disclosing inspection conclusions.

Continuing administrative reform by simplifying procedures and ensuring greater transparency in administrative processes related to business establishment and operations. Clear and transparent procedures are being developed to create an equal and predictable relationship between businesses and government agencies.

To further control and minimize unofficial payments by enterprises, while preventing inspectors from exerting undue pressure, engaging in harassment or showing favoritism during inspections, the Provincial Inspectorate introduced several new internal procedures in 2026.

These include an internal procedure for conducting annual surveys to determine whether an inspection is genuinely necessary before including an enterprise in the annual inspection plan; an internal procedure governing the conduct of inspections to ensure transparency, objectivity and accountability; and an internal review procedure for inspection conclusions to strengthen oversight, prevent arbitrary decision-making or abuse of authority by inspection teams, and avoid unjustified leniency or excessive penalties.

Immediately after issuing an inspection decision, the Chief Inspector of Hung Yen Province also appoints an independent supervision team to oversee inspection activities. This mechanism ensures that inspection team leaders and members strictly comply with legal procedures and their statutory authority while preventing any acts of harassment or requests for improper material benefits from enterprises.

Inspection activities also evaluate whether government agencies comply with legal regulations in delivering public services and exercising their supervisory responsibilities. This helps prevent agencies from imposing administrative procedures beyond those prescribed by law or creating circumstances in which businesses feel compelled to make unofficial payments to accelerate licensing processes—including land, construction and environmental permits—or overlook regulatory violations.

Mr. Nghi emphasized that developing the capacity and professionalism of inspection officials remains a top priority, as the effectiveness of the inspectorate depends fundamentally on the competence and integrity of its personnel. Every inspector must recognize that each inspection conclusion carries significant legal and economic consequences and may directly affect the survival and development of an enterprise.

Reducing unnecessary inspections and eliminating informal costs, he added, will help businesses save both time and resources, creating more favorable conditions for sustainable business growth and long-term investment.