Inspectors flag misuse, decay of prime state properties in Vietnam’s Da Lat

An inspection by Lam Dong Province’s inspectorate found issues in the management and use of five properties overseen by units under the provincial construction, industry and trade, and culture departments.

The Hoa Binh cinema, also known as the April 3 cinema, a 643-square-meter site built in 1952 in central Da Lat, has stopped operating since 2018, with parts of the property left unused and deteriorating.

A villa at 1 Dong Da Street, covering more than 1,600 square meters, was leased to a private company in 2019 without a contract in breach of regulations, before being returned in 2025 and left vacant.

Another property at 3 Xo Viet Nghe Tinh Street, earmarked for auction since 2012, has seen delays in coordination among authorities since 2021, slowing the disposal process.

A villa at 43 Xo Viet Nghe Tinh Street, previously used as staff housing, was handed to a private firm for hospital expansion but the project was withdrawn in 2017 due to delays, with the recovery process extending until 2021, the inspectorate said.

At 239 Phan Dinh Phung Street, a former market management office has remained unused since 2012 and deteriorated without maintenance, while the responsible unit did not promptly report the prolonged vacancy.

The inspectorate recommended that the provincial People’s Committee review responsibilities of relevant organizations and individuals and take steps to address violations and prevent further waste of public assets.