A family-run eatery in Dak R’lap District (Dak Nong Province) has accused officials from two local administrations of failing to pay over VND 170 million (approx. USD 6,700) for hospitality meals provided over the past nine years.

The restaurant owner is now worried that the upcoming administrative merger will leave him with no one accountable for the debt.

On the morning of June 6, Nguyen Dang Toan, owner of Com Que restaurant in Kien Duc Town, confirmed to VietNamNet that officials from Kien Thanh Commune and Kien Duc Town owe his restaurant more than VND 170 million in unpaid food bills.

Specifically, Kien Duc Town officials owe over VND 110 million (approx. USD 4,300), while Kien Thanh Commune officials owe over VND 60 million (approx. USD 2,350). The debts have accumulated between 2016 and 2022.

According to Toan, his family opened Com Que in 2013 to serve local customers. Over the years, officials from the two communes frequently dined at the restaurant without paying immediately. A local official would typically sign meal receipts or record entries in the restaurant’s ledger for each visit.

Toan explained that he had not previously reported the issue to higher authorities because he wanted to maintain good business relations. However, with the administrative merger approaching, he fears that no one will take responsibility for the debt.

“Collecting the debt is extremely difficult because many officials have retired or transferred to other positions. I’ve been careful to document every meal and even sent photos of receipts to the responsible officials for verification, but no one has taken action. I just hope local authorities will take responsibility and resolve the issue. This is a large sum of money, and the restaurant cannot bear this burden alone,” Toan said.

A senior leader from the Dak R’lap District Party Committee confirmed they were aware of the situation and had instructed relevant departments to investigate and clarify the matter.

Nguyen Dinh Thao, Chairman of Kien Thanh Commune People’s Committee, said he had just learned of the case and would set up a task force to review the situation and take appropriate action.

Com Que is known as a casual eatery offering traditional rural dishes and is popular with visiting officials and delegations working in the area.

Hai Duong