Despite admitting they built on land owned by another party, a family in Hai Phong continues to complete and live in a two-story house, has offered to buy the land, and has filed an appeal against the court's ruling.
On September 16, Pham Cong Dien, Chairman of the People's Committee of Thien Huong Ward, Hai Phong City, told VietNamNet that the ward had submitted a report to the city administration regarding a highly unusual land and construction case in the area.
Built on someone else's land, then asked to buy it back
In September 2024, Nguyen Dang Ca and his wife, Tran Thi Kim Loan, purchased a 60-square-meter plot of land - legally transferred to them on the land-use certificate - from Nguyen Tri Hau's family. The plot is located in Hamlet 7, formerly part of Kien Bai Commune, Thuy Nguyen District, now within Thien Huong Ward, Hai Phong City.
However, on November 12, 2024, when Mrs. Loan's family went to inspect the land, they discovered that Do Van Huu and his wife, Vu Thi Tuyen, were in the middle of constructing a two-story house on it.
The Loan family immediately requested that the Huu family cease construction and return the land, but the request was ignored. They then reported the incident to local authorities in Kien Bai.
A meeting was held by the Kien Bai Commune People's Committee with both parties. At the meeting, Mr. Huu and Mrs. Tuyen claimed they had mistakenly built on the wrong plot. The land they had purchased was actually four plots away.
The commune chairman concluded that the Huu family had indeed built on someone else's land and ordered them to stop construction immediately. Both parties were encouraged to meet and resolve the issue amicably. If no resolution was reached, the matter would be escalated to the appropriate authorities.
Following the meeting, the commune sent a formal notice requiring Mr. Huu to halt construction. However, the family disregarded this directive.
Consequently, Mrs. Loan's family filed a lawsuit at the competent People's Court.
On August 11, 2025, the People's Court of Region I - Hai Phong conducted a first-instance trial and ruled:
"Mr. Do Van Huu and Mrs. Vu Thi Tuyen must remove all belongings and dismantle all structures built on parcel 4856, map sheet No. 03, at Residential Group 7, Kien Bai area, Thien Huong Ward, and return the land to Mr. Nguyen Dang Ca and Mrs. Tran Thi Kim Loan."
However, since the verdict, Mr. Huu's family has not only failed to comply with the ruling but has continued to furnish the house and move in. They even offered to buy the land from Mrs. Loan's family for over 500 million VND (approximately $20,500).
On September 15, the People's Committee of Thien Huong Ward convened another meeting with both parties.
Following their statements, the ward chairman issued an official conclusion reaffirming the legal ownership of the land by Mr. Ca and Mrs. Loan, and demanded that Mr. Huu and Mrs. Tuyen comply with the court's ruling No. 08/2025/DS-ST issued on August 11, 2025.
The ward also assigned the local police to maintain order during the resolution process and prevent obstruction or resistance. Additionally, local organizations and neighborhood representatives were asked to help mediate, promote legal compliance, and maintain community stability.
Mr. Do Van Huu stated that he has submitted an appeal to the Hai Phong City People's Court against the first-instance ruling.
While awaiting the appellate decision, local authorities are encouraging both parties to negotiate a settlement that minimizes losses and adheres to legal requirements.