The survey entitled "Corruption from the perspective of the people, businesses and public servants" was conducted by the two above agencies, with the participation of 5,460 people, including 2,601 people, 1,058 entrepreneurs and 1,801 public officers in 10 provinces and five ministries. The 10 provinces in this survey have the population accounting for 30 percent of the country's population and contributing to 65 of the country’s GDP. The survey results show that corruption is one of the three issues of public interest, in addition to concerns about the cost of living and food safety. Up to 82 percent of respondents said that corruption is common or very common in the country. Over 75 percent of respondents said that corruption is a serious problem, 45 percent of civil servants witnessed acts of corruption, 44 percent of businesses and 28 percent of people paid unofficial fees. In the opinion of the groups of interviewed people, the four sectors that commit most corruption are the traffic police, land administration, customs and construction. Over 75 percent of people believed that corruption in these sectors is common. About the forms of corruption, about 5 percent of businesses said they were asked by public servants to sell or rent their property cheaply, to pay costs of study, tours or individual spending for them. More than 15 percent of businesses were asked for money of gifts. Many businesses said unofficial costs are quite expensive but the benefits that businesses received outweighing the costs. Nearly 63 percent of businesses believed that the unofficial costs create "underground mechanisms to help resolve their business quickly" and more than 50 percent of the opinion said that unofficial costs urge public servants to work hard. In 70 percent of the cases, businesses initiatively offered “gifts.” Among the sectors that were surveyed, the market management force takes the lead among the agencies that claim unofficial pay, followed by the traffic police, the economic police, resource management, and construction. The payment and giving gifts usually take place on the occasion of holidays, paying for parties or entertainment activities. Some businesses said they had to welcome unofficial visits from investment planning agencies and inspection bodies. On anti-corruption methods, most public officers agreed that it is needed to make public and transparency and to implement standard mechanisms. Administrative reform and implementation of codes of conduct, ethics stand next position. Around 24 percent of public servants said that the regulations on handing in gifts of civil servants are effective. The survey also recorded that 52 percent of businesses had anti-corruption activities, 43 percent of people would denounce corruption and 85 percent of public officers saying that the perception of corruption has been raised. Up to 90 percent of respondents believed that the subjects committing corruption have not suffered the appropriate punishment, 80 percent of them said that Vietnam is not interested in cleaning up officers while anti-corruption measures still spread, lack of focus points and competent officials do not really determine anti-corruption. According to Ms. Fiona Lappin, chief representative of the UK Department for International Development in Vietnam, the survey results show the important role of transparency in the fight against corruption. This issue has been raised, but the implementation is still inconsistent. Citizens and businesses can participate in the process of policy making and policy implementation, particularly as Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Thap and Tay Ninh. The localities where the transparency is good have bribery rate decreasing by 40 percent. Deputy Government Inspector Tran Duc Luong said that the survey results do not represent the overall opinion of the people, businesses and public servants of Vietnam and also not the assessment of state agencies. But this survey is useful for agencies, organizations and individuals who involve in making policies on anti-corruption to prevent and gradually push back corruption in Vietnam.

VietNamNet Bridge