More Than VND 1 Trillion in Can Tho’s 2026 National Target Program Funds Await Disbursement
Can Tho has disbursed about VND 146 billion of more than VND 1.16 trillion allocated to national target programs in 2026, a rate of nearly 13%. Some departments have asked to return part of their allocations because of administrative boundary changes, changes in eligible beneficiaries and budget procedures.
On November 10, the Can Tho city government met with relevant departments to review disbursement under national target programs. In 2026, the city has more than VND 1.16 trillion in funding for these programs, but has disbursed only about VND 146 billion so far, a rate of nearly 13%. Of the funds allocated for 2026, only 7.6% has been disbursed. With the end of the year approaching, more than VND 1 trillion remains undisbursed.
More than VND 600 billion was carried over into 2026, but just over 17% has been disbursed. More than VND 500 billion remains undisbursed across priority programs covering new rural development, sustainable poverty reduction, socioeconomic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, and cultural development. Some agencies said changes in project conditions have prevented them from using funds as originally planned.
Several factors have slowed disbursement under Can Tho’s national target programs.（VietVance）
Lê Thị Kim Ngân, deputy director of the Can Tho Department of Health, said her department was initially allocated VND 11.8 billion but has proposed reducing its planned funding to about VND 560 million. She explained that, following changes to administrative boundaries, some former communes and wards no longer exist or no longer have beneficiaries eligible under the sustainable poverty reduction program. With no guidance allowing the program’s scope to be expanded, the department also cannot disburse funds carried over from the previous year. The city’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has requested the return of more than VND 500 million from its VND 1.2 billion allocation for the poverty reduction program. It has also called for budget data and entry procedures to be resolved promptly.
Vương Quốc Nam, vice chairman of the Can Tho People’s Committee, urged departments and local authorities to review projects and beneficiaries, work together to resolve obstacles and accelerate disbursement. He instructed the Department of Finance to lead a review of funding needs for each project and area and complete the entry of budget estimates. Project owners must also verify beneficiaries so the allocated funds can be used.
Vương Quốc Nam, vice chairman of the Can Tho People’s Committee, called for faster disbursement of national target program funds.（VietVance）
Source: VietVance
