Official document No. 3739 was released by the Lao Cai provincial government to address the allegations. The provincial chairman instructed the Bao Yen District Party Secretary to direct the district-level People’s Committee to promptly verify and settle all unpaid debts detailed in the media report, as well as any other debts that may exist, by June 30, 2025.

“The Bao Yen District People’s Committee must direct relevant departments and localities to implement solutions for resolving all outstanding payments by June 30, 2025, and report back to the provincial People’s Committee,” the directive stated.

In the original report by VietnamNet, a local household business owner filed a formal complaint, alleging that 13 district- and commune-level agencies, including People’s Committees and technical departments in Bao Yen District, have failed to pay for office supplies and printing services supplied over the years.

According to Tran Thi Tam (48), owner of the Canh Toan office supply shop in Pho Rang town, Bao Yen District, her business has not been paid for orders from 13 agencies, totaling nearly 2 billion VND (78,600 USD).

Among the agencies with the largest outstanding debts are the Vinh Yen Commune People’s Committee (over 252 million VND), Bao Ha Commune People’s Committee (191 million VND), the former Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (over 107 million VND), and the former Department of Natural Resources and Environment (over 145 million VND).

Tam stated that her store regularly supplied office materials and printing services to various district departments and commune-level People’s Committees. Transactions were documented with signed debt records, and in some cases, formal debt acknowledgment reports. Despite this, many of the debts have remained unpaid for over 10 years.

Duc Hoang