VietNamNet Bridge - Unsatisfied with the compensation rates for land and crops, farmers in Vinh Phuc province blocked the newly-inaugurated Noi Bai-Lao Cai highway in protest.

The car of Minister of Construction Trinh Dinh Dung was also blocked.

Officials of the Vietnam Highway Corporation (VEC) – the investor – said that this situation happened for a few days as some households were unsatisfied with the compensation rates for land and crops, construction works on land... which were cleared for the construction of the highway.

The investor complied with state policies on site clearance and compensation and households received money and handed over the land so VEC could not pay them more compensation at their request.

Talking to the media yesterday, January 9, Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang instructed VEC to work with Vinh Phuc Province authorities and urgently report to the Ministry of Public Security to settle the case, under which local people scattered nails and blocked the highway.

Minister Thang asked VEC to coordinate with the Ministry of Public Security and Vinh Phuc province to convince people. In the case that the locals do not stop blocking the road, they will be penalized under the law to ensure traffic safety on the 26km highway that opened in December 2013.

Le Ha