It is difficult to assess and quantify corruption in Vietnam because to determine whether an individual is guilty, it is necessary to have evidence. Where is the evidence? Huynh Ngoc Si was arrested for a crime unrelated to corruption, said senior expert Pham Chi Lan.

This is one of the issues considered in a research work entitled “State administration, combating corruption and developing economics” conducted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

According to this work, in Vietnam corruption appears at every level of administration, in all sectors, both public and private. Corruption existed in the state subsidy period and has developed since the period of renovation.

There are three forms of corruption: lubrication money, the illegal privatisation of state assets and power and the selling of state power (taking bribes related to recruitments, appointments and selling normal services).

Economics expert Pham Chi Lan added one thing: considering benefits of interest groups when compiling laws and mechanisms. She said that while interest groups have a hand in law-making, corruption will remain.

Explaining the reason for corruption, UNDP researchers say that there is a prevailing idea that people think that holding a position in the government is a means of making themselves rich. All positions have their “prices”.

Former Minister of Justice Nguyen Dinh Loc said corruption had expanded into “networks” and become professional. “Where there is power, there is corruption,” he commented.

Because of the above reason, the research work by Dr. David Koh and Dr. Dang Duc Dam shows that public administrative reform is still weak.

The researchers introduced seven suggestions, including: the National Assembly should set up agencies representing the government to supervise, not provide public administrative services; each field should have a management agency; public services should be promoted in the countryside; and education and health care services should be improved.

Another survey about administrative reforms shows that local officials often arbitrarily set new rules. Troublesome administrative formalities are a foundation for corruption.

LN