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Tang Chi Thuong, director of Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Health, on Thursday said the ambulance used to transport actors to the promotional event for a Vietnamese horror movie was not authorized for emergency services.
On Wednesday, videos circulating on social media showed the ambulance arriving at a mall on Cao Thang Street with sirens blaring and emergency lights activated, drawing attention from the public. The videos quickly attracted criticism online, with social media users condemning the film crew's misuse of emergency resources.
A film crew arrives at a premiere event on an unauthorized ambulance in Ho Chi Minh City, March 26, 2025. Video by Chum Chum
City health inspectors revealed that this ambulance had previously been fined on June 28, 2024. The vehicle was originally registered to the Phuoc Duc company, which had authorization for emergency medical transport. However, the company was dissolved following earlier violations.
Police fined the ambulance driver VND2.5 million ($97.75) for the film premiere incident.
Nguyen Duy Long, director of Ho Chi Minh City's 115 Emergency Center, emphasized the seriousness of misusing ambulances. He said that such incidents could undermine public trust and disrupt order, negatively impacting the healthcare sector's reputation.
Under Vietnamese law, ambulances are permitted to activate sirens and lights only when transporting patients needing immediate medical attention or when medical personnel respond to emergency situations such as natural disasters or serious accidents.
