In Quang Ngai Province, an area known for its beautiful coastline and scenic spots, officials said that 76 licensed projects have not started construction.

Last year, the My Khe Tourism and Resort Complex lost its investment licence after provincial authorities granted a licence in 2008.

Authorities had given local company Anh Sao Company Limited an investment licence to build the My Khe Complex, which was to include a five-star hotel in the coastal areas of Tinh Khe and Tinh Ky communes in Son Tinh District.

However, little work had been done on the 1,000ha of land that was leased to Anh Sao in 2009. Provincial officials said the land was becoming polluted.

Since 2000, Quang Ngai Province has licensed many large-scale resort projects worth millions of dollars.

"We’ve reviewed tourism projects and recently decided to withdraw certificates for 11 projects due to very long delays," said Cao Khoa, chairman of the province’s People’s Committee.

Another central province, Binh Dinh, has granted licences to nine tourism projects since 2005, with registered investment capital of more than VND15 trillion (US$750million).

However, only two projects, Vinh Hoi Resort and Hai Giang Tourism Park, have been developed.

The province’s People’s Committee has decided to withdraw licences of investors who intentionally delay investment commitments or lack financial ability.

At least 406 tourism projects have been registered in central Binh Thuan Province, covering a total of 7,300ha with registered capital of VND57.3 trillion ($2.7 billion).

However, construction on 249 projects has not begun, even though land clearance has been completed.

The province’s People’s Committee said it planned to withdraw the investment licences of all long-delayed projects