According to Mai Quoc Binh, Deputy Chief Inspector of the Government, even though Vietnam issued scores of policies to combat corruption, the fight has not lived up to the Government’s expectations.

“Corruption remains complicated, especially in the fields of land use and management, capital construction investment, the equitisation of State-owned enterprises, and the use of State property and natural resources,” said Mr Binh.

Mr Binh said Vietnam lacks an appropriate mechanism and comprehensive solutions for effectively implementing policies on anti-corruption. In addition, ranking officials here and there show decadence in their morality.

He said a national strategy on corruption prevention and control is being drafted, focusing on strengthening the transparency in State agencies’ operation, finalising an economic management mechanism, building an equal business environment, increasing inspections and encouraging social organisations and individuals to detect corrupt behaviour.

Foreign delegates highlighted the draft strategy as a milestone in combating corruption in Vietnam. James Anderson, a senior expert of the World Bank, said the draft strategy includes transparency and involvement of social organisations and individuals in the fight against corruption.

Meanwhile, Peter Rooke, a senior advisor to Transparency International, said priority should be given to making public State officials’ declaration of property, keeping a close watch on corrupt behaviour in the private economic sector and increasing supervision by civil organisations and the media.