Abstract
Against the backdrop of Vietnam’s urbanization, industrialization, climate change, and land scarcity, land-use planning emerges as critical for sustainable development. This study employs an integrated theoretical framework, combining the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework with Foucault’s discourse-power theory, to investigate the drivers and obstacles in implementing land-use planning laws. Analyzing legal documents, policies, secondary data, and case studies (e.g., Thu Thiem New Urban Area, Duong Noi New Urban Area, and Long Thanh Airport), the research reveals a significant policy-practice gap, empirically evidenced by a land use target implementation rate of only 15.91% as of 2024. Through the IAD-Foucault lens, findings show that this gap is sustained by “growth-first” discursive practices that legitimize power asymmetry, marginalizing community voices despite formal legal improvements. While the legal framework has evolved, its enforcement remains largely formalistic, often prioritizing administrative expediency over substantive compliance. Linking findings to specific SDG indicators 11.3.1, 11.3.2, 16.10.2, and 16.6.1, the study underscores the necessity for synchronous legal amendments, enhanced community participation, and strengthened oversight. Comparative insights from China, Indonesia, and the Philippines highlight shared challenges in addressing power imbalances and transparency deficits. In-depth interviews (n = 12) with residents, officials, and experts enrich the analysis, revealing practical nuances often missed in formal assessments. This study advocates for reforms that empower communities and ensure equitable land governance in pursuit of sustainable development goals.
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This study involved qualitative interviews with human participants. The research protocol and ethical considerations were reviewed by the Institutional Ethics Committee of Intracom University (Approval No: Exempted). The ethical approval was officially exempted in accordance with Article 3 of Decision No. 141 C/QD-DHCVA dated September 13, 2021, by the Rector of Chu Van An University (the former name of Intracom University) on promulgating regulations on the management of science and technology activities. All research was performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and relevant institutional and national guidelines and regulations for social science research. To ensure anonymity and protect participant privacy, all identifying information has been removed from the interview transcripts and replaced with codes (e.g., I01, I02).
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Informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to their participation in the interviews. Participants were provided with detailed information about the study’s purpose, procedures, and their right to withdraw at any time. They were assured that their responses would be kept confidential and that their identities would be protected through anonymization. By agreeing to participate, participants indicated their voluntary consent to contribute to the study.
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Luan, N.T. From policy to practice: the influence of the legal framework on land use planning on sustainable development in Vietnam. Humanit Soc Sci Commun (2026). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-026-07439-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-026-07439-x
