Can friends co-name on a land title? Do we need permission to convert rice-farming land to shrimp farming?

Can friends jointly own a land title?

I would like to ask if my friend and I can buy a piece of land together and have both our names on the land title document?

Answer: Article 207 and Article 208 of the Civil Code 2015 stipulate joint ownership as follows:

- Joint ownership and types of joint ownership

+ Joint ownership is the ownership by multiple entities over an asset.

+ Joint ownership includes joint ownership by portions and consolidated joint ownership.

- Establishment of joint ownership rights

Joint ownership rights are established by agreement, by law, or by custom.

=> From this, it can be seen that you and your friend completely have the right to agree to buy land together and have joint names on the Certificate of Land Use Rights, Ownership of Residential Housing, and Other Assets Attached to the Land.

And Clause 2 Article 98 of the Land Law 2013 stipulates the principles for issuing the Certificate of Land Use Rights, Ownership of Residential Housing, and Other Assets Attached to the Land as follows:

A plot of land with multiple people having joint land use rights, multiple people having joint ownership of residential houses, or other assets attached to the land must have the Certificate of Land Use Rights, Ownership of Residential Housing, and Other Assets Attached to the Land stating fully the names of those who have joint land use rights, joint ownership of residential houses, or other assets attached to the land and issue 01 Certificate for each person; in case the users or owners request, a common Certificate shall be issued and handed to the representative.

=> Thus, according to this regulation, the land use rights certificate can have multiple names. You and your friend can agree to have joint names on the certificate and issue one certificate for each person or have one common certificate issued and handed to a representative.

Do you need permission to convert rice cultivation land to shrimp farming?

My family has always grown rice, but now we want to switch to farming giant freshwater shrimp to improve our livelihood. I heard that we need permission to do this, is that correct?

Answer: Point a Clause 1 Article 57 of the Land Law 2013 stipulates:

Cases of land use purpose change requiring permission from competent state agencies include:

a) Converting rice cultivation land to land for perennial crops, forest land, aquaculture land, salt production land;

...

Thus, when changing the land use purpose from rice cultivation land to aquaculture land, permission from a competent state agency is required. Specifically: in this case, permission must be obtained from the district-level People's Committee (Point a Clause 2 Article 59 of this Law). Therefore, when you want to convert from rice cultivation land to shrimp farming land, you must obtain permission from the district-level People's Committee.

Will costs for relocating machinery be compensated when the state recovers land?

I have a workshop on land that the state has decided to recover. Can you tell me if the state compensates for the costs of relocating furniture and machinery from the workshop?

Answer: Clause 1 Article 91 of the Land Law 2013 stipulates:

When the state recovers land and assets must be relocated, the state compensates for the dismantling, moving, and reinstalling costs; in case the relocation involves machinery and production lines, compensation covers the damage incurred during dismantling, moving, and reinstalling.

=> Thus, according to this regulation, your case will be compensated by the state for the relocation and damage costs for relocating and dismantling furniture and machinery as stated above.

Sincerely!