Cracking Down on Unregulated Parking Lots: Hanoi Intensifies Inspections and Enforcement

The Government Office has issued Document No. 9401/VPCP-CN, conveying Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha’s directives regarding the fire at a parking lot under Vinh Tuy Bridge in Hanoi.

The document states: In response to the Ministry of Construction’s report on the implementation of Telegram No. 157/CĐ-TTg dated September 4, 2025, issued by the Prime Minister concerning the fire at the parking lot under Vinh Tuy Bridge, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has instructed the Hanoi People’s Committee to urgently implement the Ministry of Construction’s recommendations and promptly address the consequences of the fire.

Additionally, the Hanoi People’s Committee is required to review and strictly handle parking lots operating on vacant land not included in the Master Plan for Parking Lots, Logistics Centers, and Rest Stops within the city. They must report to the Ministry of Construction for consolidation and submission to the Prime Minister.

The Deputy Prime Minister also directed the Ministry of Construction to expedite the compilation of reports from local authorities, as per the instructions in Telegram No. 157/CĐ-TTg dated September 4, 2025, and to propose comprehensive solutions to prevent similar incidents in the future.

* Earlier, at 1:00 PM on August 30, 2025, a fire broke out at a parking lot under Vinh Tuy Bridge in Hong Ha Ward, Hanoi. The initial aftermath included the burning of over 500 motorcycles and potential risks to the bridge’s structure.

Immediately following the incident, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha signed Telegram No. 157/CĐ-TTg on September 4, 2025, instructing relevant agencies to investigate the cause, assign responsibility, and promptly mitigate the consequences.

The Deputy Prime Minister also urged the Chairpersons of People’s Committees in provinces and centrally-governed cities to review all parking lots under bridges and roads within their jurisdictions, taking measures to rectify and strictly handle any violations in accordance with the law.

The Hanoi Department of Infrastructure Maintenance has led a comprehensive review of the use of road safety corridors in collaboration with road maintenance contractors and relevant agencies.

Furthermore, the city’s patrol forces have teamed up with Traffic Police, Order Police, and Fire Prevention and Fighting Police to inspect and severely penalize violations, particularly the illegal use of bridge underpasses as parking lots.

The Department of Transport Infrastructure Management has been tasked with reviewing and relocating all parking lots within road infrastructure protection zones by October 30, 2025.