Mr. Le Quang An Dat (Khanh Hoa) asked, are people and businesses that need to change land use purposes or invest in projects right in the long-term planning area allowed or not? If not allowed, how is planning managed in the long-term planning area?

The Ministry of Construction responded to this issue as follows:

The 2024 Law on Urban and Rural Planning, effective from July 1, 2025, stipulates the principles, contents, authority and responsibilities in urban and rural planning.

Article 1 of the Law clearly defines the scope of regulation, accordingly, this Law regulates the activities of formulating, appraising, approving, organizing the implementation and management of urban and rural planning.

The Law requires that planning projects must show the current status, short-term and long-term development orientations, including the allocation of land use functions.

On that basis, Circular No. 16/2025/TT-BXD dated June 30, 2025 of the Minister of Construction was issued to detail and guide the implementation of a number of articles of the Law, emphasizing the requirement that planning projects must divide land use into stages: current status, short-term and long-term.

Thus, both the Law and the Circular only regulate the issue of planning establishment and management, not directly regulating the change of land use purpose or approval of investment projects.

Regarding the issue of changing land use purpose, investing in projects within the long-term planning area, relevant regulations are within the scope of regulation of the Land Law, Investment Law, and Real Estate Business Law.

Therefore, to ensure your rights and comply with regulations, you need to fully study the above legal regulations and contact the Department of Agriculture and Environment, Department of Finance, Department of Construction or the Provincial People's Committee for specific instructions according to your authority.