Complete payment for "reserving goodwill" for social housing after Lao Dong Newspaper's reflection

Start refunds

After Lao Dong Newspaper's reflection on a social housing project that had not yet started construction but had invited people to pay 10 million VND "in a charitable place", the investor has implemented the refund of money to those who have paid.

On the morning of November 25, in front of the consultation point, two large signs had been placed outside, leaving only one. The "Social housing project" sign remains the same, while the "Place to receive social housing project documents" sign has been removed by the investor.

Talking to a reporter from Lao Dong Newspaper, the investor's representative admitted that the reflection was correct. After receiving the information, the unit met and agreed to notify thepayers of the entire "charity booking" of 10 million VND.

According to the investor's representative, the total number of people who transferred money was 71. From the time of issuance of the notice until now, 6 people have brought the payment documents to the company to make the refund through payment authorization, because the entire previous amount was transferred directly to the business account. The investor expects to complete the refund to all depositors this week.

The unit also said that the " goodwill reservation" form will be edited into a customer information survey form, without collecting any money during the consultation period. The survey form aims to collect actual demand for social housing before instructing people to submit documents in accordance with legal regulations.

According to a source from Lao Dong Newspaper, the authorities have stepped in to clarify the incident in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Consulting on bidding

Previously, as reported by Lao Dong Newspaper, in Quang Tri, a social housing project had not yet started construction but was widely promoted on social networks with an invitation to "reserve a charity space" of 10 million VND with a pre- printed red card.

Through the reporter's research, just type "Quang Tri social housing" on Facebook, many fanpages appear coordinated images of the project named "Dong Hoi City Central Social Housing Area", along with an invitation to transfer money to book.

Following the consultation phone number, the reporter went to the transaction point on Le Truc Street. Here, a man named K took on the project management board, advising the investor on behalf of the investor.

Mr. K then introduced the project including 2 15-storey apartment buildings, 560 apartments, priced at 16-17 million VND/m2 and can borrow up to 85% in 25 years.

Mr. K affirmed that "nearly 100 people have booked", each portion costing 10 million VND and emphasized that "the booking will be made early to choose a beautiful house". Mr. K still announced that the construction will start on December 19, 2025. At the end of the meeting, he gave a "reservation for goodwill" ticket with a red seal and the signature of the representative of Dong Hoi Central Social Housing Company Limited.

The Department of Construction also confirmed that in the past, there have been cases of projects that have not completed legal documents but have been advertised for sale, receiving money to "keep the goodwill".

Mr. Vo Viet Dung - Deputy Head of Housing & Real Estate Market Management Department emphasized that social housing is a special type of real estate, and can only be sold according to legal procedures including reviewing documents, checking conditions, sending to the Department of Construction for review and drawing lots if the number of documents exceeds the number of apartments. The "reservation", "reservation", "reservation of goodwill" are completely not in accordance with legal regulations.

Mr. Dung affirmed that if investors or individuals are found to be illegally collecting money, the authorities will step in to verify and handle it according to regulations.