Every land decision — lease, purchase, construction, mortgage — should start with requesting the plot planning information. This simple administrative procedure is skipped by many FDI enterprises, or they simply do not know where and how to request properly.
Which agency?
Depending on the information needed: the Land Registration Office — cadastral dossier extracts (map sheet, plot number, area, current use); the Department of Natural Resources and Environment — land use planning and plans; the construction authority (Department of Construction) — construction, zoning and detailed planning; the commune People Committee — initial information and status confirmation. For industrial park land, the Park Management Board also provides the park detailed planning.
Dossier and response time
The dossier comprises: the written information request (stating the purpose: serving the investment project), plot documents (map sheet and plot numbers; certificate copy if any), and the requester legal papers (business licence, representative ID). Response time has no single national figure — it follows each locality internal rules, typically several working days to a few weeks for a formal written reply. Hence planning information requests belong in the early project timeline, not rushed just before signing.
On refusal or delay
Published planning information is public information — state authorities must provide it. If refused without reason or abnormally delayed: (1) send a written reminder demanding a written reply with reasons; (2) complain against the administrative act (delay, refusal) under the Law on Complaints; (3) in parallel, check the locality planning information portal (many provinces publish planning maps online) for initial reference. Note: portal information is reference-grade — the authority formal written reply is the legal-grade basis in disputes.
Frequently asked questions
1. Is there a fee for planning information requests?
Map and dossier extract fees may apply per the locality tariff (set by the provincial People Council). The amounts are small — do not skip this critical step to save a little.
2. May foreign organisations request planning information?
Yes. Published planning information is public; any organisation or individual with legitimate need may request it. FDI enterprises request as project-preparing investors.
3. Is online portal planning information legally valid?
Good reference value but not a full legal basis in disputes. The competent authority formal written reply is the highest-value evidence.
4. How often should planning information be refreshed?
For long-term projects, update periodically (e.g., yearly) or when area planning shows change signs. Planning can be adjusted — 2–3 year old information may be outdated.
Key takeaways for investors
- Requesting planning information is the first step of every land decision.
- Right agencies: land registration office, DONRE, construction department, commune PC, park board.
- Request in writing; put it in the early project timeline.
- On refusal/delay: written reminder, complaint, parallel portal check.
This article has been quality-reviewed by the FLAW AI Legal Council. Content is for legal reference only and does not replace lawyer advice for specific cases.
