Hanoi allows doubled fines for fire safety violations

The National Assembly on Friday passed the amended Capital Law, which stated that the Hanoi People’s Council may determine fines for fire safety violations to be up to two times higher than fines determined by the government.

The People’s Committees of the city can also suspend providing power and water services for structures that are built improperly or without licenses, among other violations.

Hanoi authorities can also suspend power and water services to dance clubs and karaoke parlors that do not satisfy fire safety criteria, as well as structures that need to be dismantled.

Hoang Thanh Tung, head of the NA's legal commission, said the measures were to resolve violations that led to several deadly fire and explosion cases plaguing the capital in recent months.

In mid-June, a fire in a six-story house in Hoang Mai District killed a woman and her three grandchildren.

Last month, 14 people were killed in a house fire in Trung Kinh District, after a short-circuited electric motorbike caused the blaze.

The amended Capital Law is expected to go into effect starting Jan. 1, 2025.