After land prices, and, along with them, instances of violation of land laws, surged in certain places, the provinces involved have temporarily banned land transactions pending the approval of new regulations, helping cool off the market.

Last month Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc instructed related authorities to tackle land-use rights violations and speculation on Phu Quoc Island, Bac Van Phong in Khanh Hoa Province and Van Don in Quang Ninh Province.

They are slated to become special administrative zones if approved by the National Assembly at a session next October.

The designation would allow the